Amid a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff might face a seven-game suspension for violating the college’s honor code and can possible go away this system, in line with a number of experiences Sunday.
The Salt Lake Tribune was the primary to report the information. The college did instantly reply to a request for remark from The Athletic.
Retzlaff, a senior, is accused of sexual assault and battery from a 2023 incident at his house in Provo, Utah. The lady, who’s recognized as Jane Doe A.G., alleges that Retzlaff raped, strangled and bit her. The accuser filed the lawsuit in Could. Retzlaff maintains his innocence and claims their encounter was consensual, which nonetheless violates college guidelines.
BYU, which is a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, enforces an eight-point honor code that requires college students to “stay a chaste and virtuous life, together with abstaining from sexual relations exterior marriage between a person and a girl.”
Final yr, Retzlaff threw for two,947 yards, 20 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and accomplished 57.9 % of his passes. BYU completed 11-2 and ranked No. 13 within the ultimate Related Press ballot.
“The college takes any allegation very critically, following all processes and pointers mandated by Title IX,” a BYU assertion stated of the lawsuit. “On account of federal and college privateness legal guidelines and practices for college students, the college won’t be able to offer extra remark.”
Ought to Retzlaff go away, redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead and freshman Bear Bachmeier will possible compete for BYU’s beginning quarterback position. Hillstead, who transferred to BYU earlier than the 2024 season, handed for 1,062 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions whereas finishing 59.5 % of his passes at Utah State in 2023. Bachmeier, a redshirt freshman, spent final season at Stanford.
Treyson Bourguet, a junior, might additionally enter the competitors. Bourguet threw for 1,314 yards, six touchdowns and ran for 219 yards and one landing in two seasons at Western Michigan. He transferred to BYU earlier than the 2024 season.
(Picture: Christian Petersen / Getty Photographs)
