What Goes on Inside Darnell’s Head: Why Every Victory Deserves Its Moment
It’s been one of those weeks — long, exhausting, and a little too rainy for comfort. When the General Conference weekend rolled around, I needed something to lift my spirits. Thankfully, the choir came through with the kind of soul-soothing music that makes you forget, just for a moment, how heavy the world feels.
(And no matter what they’re officially called these days, they’ll always be the “Mo-Tab” in my heart.)
But let’s be real — life doesn’t always follow the game plan. I was late to the BYU–West Virginia football game on Friday night, something that has never happened in all my years of covering BYU sports. A family matter held me up in Salt Lake City, and I found myself racing down I-15, hoping I’d at least make it before halftime.
So if today’s thoughts feel a bit scattered, just know they’re coming straight from a tired but grateful heart.
Winning Isn’t Always Pretty — But It Still Matters
BYU’s 38-24 win over West Virginia was… well, not their finest performance. It was messy, wet, and full of penalties. The kind of game that leaves fans arguing instead of celebrating.
But defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa said something this week that really stuck with me:
“Success needs to be counted. If you only focus on what needs fixing, it’s hard to stay motivated and disciplined.”
And that hit home.
Because here’s the truth — BYU is still 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12. That’s not luck. That’s grit. Every win, no matter how sloppy, counts. Sometimes, progress looks more like persistence than perfection.
⚡ Perfectly Rational Overreactions (PROs)
PRO #1: BYU’s Defensive Strength Rests on Two Shoulders — Jack Kelly & Isaiah Glasker
Both linebackers are anchors, the kind of players who change the tempo of a game. Unfortunately, neither finished Friday’s matchup. Kelly left with what looked like a shoulder injury, and Glasker sat out the second half. With tough opponents ahead, the Cougars need both of them back in full force — fast.
PRO #2: Don’t Let the Numbers Fool You — The Run Game Needs More Push
On paper, 167 rushing yards looks solid. In reality? It was a grind. LJ Martin carried the load with 90 yards and two touchdowns, but most of his runs were hard-fought for minimal gains. Without his late 32-yard dash, the average drops to under 3 yards per carry. The offensive line has to find its rhythm again — especially before facing teams like Utah or Texas Tech.
PRO #3: Comparing BYU to Utah’s Blowout Win Is Pointless
Sure, Utah crushed West Virginia 48-14 earlier this season, but comparison steals joy faster than a pick-six. Every team has its own story. BYU led comfortably, played in the rain, and still walked away with the W. That’s enough.
PRO #4: Forget Style Points — Just Stack Wins
Kalani Sitake isn’t chasing headlines; he’s chasing consistency. College football fans love big margins, but the truth is, in the Big 12, any team can beat anyone. Sometimes winning ugly is still beautiful — because it means you won.
Players Who Carried the Team
Roommates Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston were electric on the field — a combined 272 yards between them. Roberts nearly went the distance on an 85-yard catch, and Kingston’s screen-pass touchdown was pure adrenaline. When defenses crowd the run game, these two are BYU’s golden ticket.
A Loss Beyond the Field
BYU’s volleyball family suffered a huge loss this week. Broadcaster Steve Vail, known for his warmth and wit, passed away at just 55 after a long fight with cancer. For 16 years, he and Jarom Jordan brought BYU volleyball to life with unmatched chemistry. His passion and humor will be deeply missed.
Quick Hits from the Sidelines
- Almost Famous: I thought country legend Carrie Underwood followed me on X this week… until I noticed the account only had 182 followers. Close enough, right?
- Friday Night Lawn Mower: During the Timpview vs. Orem football game, someone decided to mow the field during the match. At night. With the lights off. Commitment or chaos? You decide.
- Women’s Volleyball Magic: BYU’s Suli Davis crushed a career-high 27 kills in a comeback win over Cincinnati. But the real jaw-dropper was Bearcats’ Sydney Nolan — 25 kills, 52 swings, zero errors. Unreal.
Final Thought
Wins don’t always sparkle. Sometimes they’re muddy, slow, and imperfect. But they still count. Celebrate the small victories, learn from the rough ones, and move forward with gratitude.
Because at the end of the day, a win is still a win — and kindness, just like effort, doesn’t cost a thing.
