BYU’s Gritty Overtime Win Overshadowed by Heartbreaking Injury to Star Guard Richie Saunders
BYU may have pulled off a thrilling overtime win against Colorado on Saturday, but the celebration was short-lived. Less than a minute into the game, senior guard Richie Saunders went down with a non-contact knee injury. On Sunday, Saunders confirmed what Cougar fans feared - a torn ACL, ending not just his season, but his college career.
For a player who’s been the emotional heartbeat of this team, it’s a crushing blow.
“To end my BYU career like this is heartbreaking,” Saunders wrote in a message to fans. “I’ve loved every moment and every challenge that came with representing the school I love.”
And it’s not just sentiment - Saunders has been a force all season long. He was averaging 18.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game on 48.9% shooting, making him BYU’s second-leading scorer and a consistent two-way presence. But his value goes far beyond the box score.
The 6-foot-5 guard has been the Cougars’ tone-setter - a relentless competitor who played with visible fire and led with both his voice and his hustle. A local product who grew up dreaming of wearing the BYU jersey, Saunders became the face of the program over the past four years. He wasn’t just part of the culture - he helped define it.
This marks the second time this season BYU has lost a key player to an ACL tear. Sixth man Dawson Baker went down back in November. Now, with Saunders sidelined, the Cougars will have to regroup once again - and fast - with a tough, Quad 1-heavy stretch looming.
Since stepping into the starting lineup full-time as a junior, Saunders has been nothing short of consistent. Across 60 games, he put up 17.2 points, 5.1 boards, and 1.4 steals per contest.
Last season, he earned First Team All-Big 12 honors and helped guide BYU to its third Sweet 16 appearance since 1981. During that tournament run, he elevated his game even further, averaging 22.0 points and knocking down 41.7% of his shots from deep.
He walks away from college basketball with his name etched into the BYU record books: 1,544 career points (17th all-time), 205 made threes (8th), 133 steals (12th), and 26 games with 20 or more points (15th). But ask anyone around the program, and they’ll tell you his legacy is about more than just numbers.
“Cougar Nation, thank you,” Saunders wrote. “Through the ups and downs, you’ve stuck with me. I’ll never forget that.”
Even in the face of a devastating injury, Saunders made it clear he’s not done.
“My story has never been one of ease,” he added. “And while I didn’t plan for this, my career is not over. I will return with more fight and more grit than before.”
Now, BYU will have to find a way forward without their senior leader. Expect increased roles for bench contributors Tyler Mrus, Mihailo Boskovic, and Aleksej Kostic. And the Cougars will lean even more heavily on their stars - freshman phenoms AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright III - to carry the load down the stretch.
Replacing Saunders won’t be easy. You don’t just plug in another player and expect the same production, leadership, and edge.
But if there’s one thing this BYU team has shown, it’s resilience. And with the postseason picture still wide open, the Cougars will need every bit of it.