SHOW UP: BYU Football Fans GEAR UP for Big 12 Opener & First Down Provo Hopes to Fuel Fan Engagement

Can First Down Provo spark a new era of pre-game festivities for BYU Cougars fans and Big 12 visitors? Skyler Beltran, Utah County Commissioner, breaks down how this inaugural fan event aims to capture the energy of college football hotbeds like Texas A&M’s Friday night tradition and Florida State’s downtown bash. With Center Street in Provo transforming into a festival zone featuring live music, food trucks, Provo Fire’s Touch-a-Truck, and the iconic BYU store and concessions, fans are promised an all-ages celebration steeped in local flavor—complete with a signature camp food drive that welcomes both Cougar faithful and Arizona Wildcats supporters to give back.

Jake Hatch leads a lively discussion on how First Down Provo connects sports, community, and economic growth, highlighting partnerships with BYU Athletics, Explore Utah Valley, and Provo City. Skyler Beltran reveals the ambition to turn every BYU home game into a major weekend destination, benefiting local businesses and making Provo a game travelers can’t resist circling on their calendars. Listeners get an inside look at the planning challenges, from logistics to city collaboration, and how early feedback from fans and out-of-state visitors could shape the event’s future.

The conversation also dives into BYU Cougars football expectations as the Big 12 opener against the Arizona Wildcats looms. Skyler Beltran offers his take on Kalani Sitake’s squad—praising Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin, reflecting on past heartbreak as the first team out of the college football playoff, and laying out why this season is “playoff or bust.” With insights on conference realignment, NIL’s impact, and the importance of positioning BYU as a must-see program, this episode is a can’t-miss guide to both the future of Cougar Nation and the fan experience in Provo.

Will First Down Provo become a legendary new tradition—and can BYU seize their moment on the national stage? Tune in for the answers.

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Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere else.

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