This year special teams play has been much like play by Jake Retzlaff. Special teams has run several kickoffs out of the endzone and been tackled short of the 20 yard line. Punts have been shanked giving an opponent a short field. FGs well within range have been missed. And we've tackled a returner after he called for a fair catch. On the other hand, we have hit some nice FGs from distance. We have had good kick coverage. We have had some effective punts and for the first time in 26 years on the road, we ran a kick off back for a TD. Some real highlights that have led to three straight wins.

Jake Retzlaff has been similar. He has 3 INTs in three games and also several fumbles, losing at least one. Sometimes he misses receivers, even when they are open and even when they are running short routes. On the other hand, he has 7 TDs in three games. He is a threat on the ground and in the air. He has made some great reads on running plays and he has fitted some passes into tight windows. Bottom line, BYU is 3-0 and Retzlaff has a Passer Efficiency Rating above 150. The up and down nature of his play is embedded in that rating with two games above 150 and the SMU game of only 111 on the PER. Comparatively, Retzlaff had a PER of 97 last year. He has improved. That much is clear, even if he still struggles at times. Odds are that Jake will have some games when he still struggles, but he is improving. He is becoming more consistent. And he gives BYU a great shot at beating anybody on the schedule and a great shot at bowling. Let him play. Let him continue to improve.

My worry about Jake Retzlaff isn't whether he is getting better. He is plainly getting better. My worry is whether he will stay healthy all season with as many hits as he takes. if we can keep a healthy Jake Retzlaff on the field, then BYU will be in a bowl game. And, he will be that much better next year. Look at the jump Steve Young took from his Jr. to his Senior year; same for Steve Sarkisian. BYU's success with senior QBs who are returning as starters is impressive. Get Retzlaff solid experience, and next year national pundits will be hyping BYU and its QB.

BYU returned a lot of guys this year, and the improvement is apparent, especially on D. Continuity is super valuable and it translates into wins. Retzlaff gives BYU a shot at continuity and the assocaited improvement. Take that shot and run with it.