The BYU Cougars have been making headlines with their impressive wins over ranked opponents, but their wide receivers have also been catching the attention of the nation with their spectacular one-handed grabs.
Chase Roberts’ touchdown catch goes viral
One of the most memorable moments from BYU’s 27-17 win over Arkansas on Saturday was sophomore wide receiver Chase Roberts’ dramatic one-handed touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone. The play was named the No. 1 play of the day on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays list and went viral on social media.
Roberts said he was grateful for quarterback Kedon Slovis for trusting him and throwing him the ball, even though he did not have the best game overall. He said he did not plan to make a one-handed catch, but it was just an instinctive reaction.
“When I went up, instincts just took over,” Roberts said. “You don’t really plan to go up and get it one-handed. Feeling that ball land perfectly, it just stuck right in and felt great. I knew I had my feet down, that I was in the right position and that it was six.”
Roberts said he has been practicing one-handed catches since he was a kid, but he never imagined making one on such a big stage.
“You dream of that moment to make those, especially in big moments,” Roberts said.
Isaac Rex’s tipped catch adds to the highlight reel
Another remarkable catch from BYU’s receivers came from junior tight end Isaac Rex, who pulled in a one-handed tipped ball on a crucial third down in the fourth quarter. Rex said he was trying to make a play for his team and help them seal the victory.
“I saw the ball get tipped and I just stuck my hand out there and hoped for the best,” Rex said. “I was able to reel it in and get the first down.”
Rex praised Roberts for his catch and said it was one of the best moments in BYU history. He also said making a one-handed catch takes some luck, but also some skill and timing.
“You practice them, but not as much as two-handed catches,” Rex said. “You kind of just need to put your arm up there, reel it in and try to get the front of the ball instead of the back, unless you’re Odell (Beckham Jr.) or something. There is a fair amount of luck involved but also some good timing.”
BYU receivers earn praise from fans and media
The BYU receivers have been earning praise from fans and media alike for their impressive catches. Comedian Matt Mitchell, who has more than 700,000 followers on Facebook, posted a video where he played multiple characters and talked about the SEC teams. He joked that BYU had “the power of God” based on several catches they made against Arkansas.
The Cougars have also been getting recognition from national analysts and experts, who have been impressed by their performance against tough opponents. BYU is currently ranked No. 15 in the AP poll and No. 16 in the Coaches poll, with a 4-0 record.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake said he is proud of his team and his receivers for making plays when they needed them.
“They’re just resilient,” Sitake said. “They’re tough-minded kids that love playing this game and love playing with each other.”
