Cougar Tailgate

Lauren McClain, Hema Hemuli, and Karter Baughan dive into the top five questions facing BYU as they head into fall camp. They discuss the intense quarterback competition, the potential improvement of the offensive line, the defense's prospects under Jay Hill, the receivers' ability to step up, and the run game's outlook. Plus, they share their biggest takeaways from Big 12 Media Days and play a ga...

BYU football kicks off next month. Former BYU DB Brian Logan joins Lauren McClain to talk about how BYU will improve next season, where the Cougar's biggest challenges will be, and what areas fans should be concerned. Also, they check in with Big 12 Media Day with comments from the Utah Utes about playing BYU.

It's a new era of BYU Basketball under new head coach Kevin Young. Lauren McClain is joined by BYU Radio Sports Producers Tori Kimball and Karter Baughan to discuss BYU Hoops massive overhaul this offseason and what BYU fans should expect going into next season. They begin discussing additions and losses via the transfer portal and recruiting from last year to this season, the new coaching staff,...

Lauren McClain is joined by former BYU sports stars Mitch Mathews and his wife Madie Mathews. In this episode, Mitch and Madie share their journeys to BYU, how they met, and their experiences as elite athletes. They reflect on family support, faith, and their most memorable moments at BYU. The couple also dives into life after college, discussing Mitch’s NFL journey, their commitment to fitness, s...

Lauren McClain is joined by former BYU sports stars Mitch Mathews and his wife Madie Mathews. In this episode, Mitch and Madie share their journeys to BYU, how they met, and their experiences as elite athletes. They reflect on family support, faith, and their most memorable moments at BYU. The couple also dives into life after college, discussing Mitch’s NFL journey, their commitment to fitness, s...

Time to take a trip down memory lane! Lauren McClain is joined by senior assistant athletic director, Duff Tittle, and assistant athletic director for football strategy, Brett Pyne to discuss their new book "100 Years of BYU Football". In this episode, they discuss the inspiration behind the book, the extensive research and countless interviews that brought it to life, and some of the most fascina...

Time to take a trip down memory lane! Lauren McClain is joined by senior assistant athletic director, Duff Tittle, and assistant athletic director for football strategy, Brett Pyne to discuss their new book "100 Years of BYU Football". In this episode, they discuss the inspiration behind the book, the extensive research and countless interviews that brought it to life, and some of the most fascina...

Was the first season in the Big-12 a success for BYU Athletics? Lauren McClain is joined by BYU Women's Basketball Commentator Jason Sheppard to discuss whether the first season in the Big-12 was a success for the Cougars. They dive into each of the main sports men's hoops, women's hoops, football, baseball, softball, and BYU athletics as a whole. They also discuss your fan-submitted responses dis...

Lauren McClain is joined by former BYU basketball player and pro standout Jonathan Tavernari and BYUtv Sports Producer Hema Heimuli. In this episode of Cougar Tailgate, they discuss the recent hiring of Kevin Young as the new head coach of BYU men's basketball. They discuss their reactions to the hiring, the financial implications, and the unique challenges of recruiting at BYU. They also analyze...

This episode of "Cougar Tailgate" features host Lauren McClain discussing the BYU Cougars' off-season activities with former BYU football stars Mitch Juergens and Brian Logan. They delve into what players do during the break between spring football and summer workouts and explore offseason preparation strategies. The discussion also covers the BYU football team's readiness for their season opener...

BYU Football's Spring practices are coming to a close. Lauren McClain is joined by former BYU quarterback Riley Nelson and BYU Radio producer Karter Baughan to discuss what excites them before the 2024 football season. Nelson also gives his take and perspective on BYU's current quarterback battle. Lauren, Riley, and Karter also play "Buy or Sell - BYU Football Edition," and close the show discussi...

It's time for the Big Dance! The Cougars will face off against 11-seed and Atlantic-10 conference champion Duquesne. Lauren McClain is joined by BYUtv sports producer Hema Heimuli and former BYU basketball player Jonathan Tavernari. Lauren, Hema, and JT preview BYU's matchup against the Dukes and also discuss the potential benefits of not playing on Sunday. JT gives his perspective on what it will...

Taking a quick pause from basketball, Lauren is joined by former football standout, Brian Logan and BYU Sports Producer Ben Bagley to discuss spring ball. All eyes are on the quarterback spot. So who is going to lead the Cougars next season? The trio breaks down where they are most confident and where they are concerned. Plus, a quick interview with Parker Kingston!

It's the end of the regular season so it's time for regular season awards! Lauren is joined by BYU Radio Producers Cleon Wall and Karter Baughan. They begin discussing BYU's heartbreaking loss on the road against Iowa State and then discuss your fan-submitted responses on what your concern about the Cougars rolling into Big-12 play. They close the show giving out regular season awards and playing...

Did BYU get their biggest regular season win in history at Allen Fieldhouse this week? Lauren, Brandon, and Ben debate whether this was the biggest win in BYU men's hoops history and they discuss your fan-submitted responses . They also break down what went well and the importance of the Cougars win over the Jayhawks. Lauren, Ben, and Brandon preview the upcoming TCU matchup, play a game of "Buy o...

The Cougars got a massive bounce-back win over the 11th-ranked Baylor Bears. Former BYU basketball star Jonathan Tavernari and BYUtv Sports Producer Hema Heimuli join Lauren to break down the positives from the Baylor game. They also discuss your fan-submitted responses and play "Buy or Sell?" regarding BYU men's hoops! They close the show with Jonathan discussing his relationship with his faith a...

Lauren McClain is joined by Carlie Ellett, wife of Chiefs Assistant RB Coach Porter Ellett. Carlie give a behind the scenes look of what Super Bowl day is like. Lauren is also joined by BYUtv producer Brandon Crow and BYUradio senior producer Cleon Wall to discuss all things BYU men's hoops! Lauren, Brandon, and Cleon briefly talk about their takeaways from BYU's narrow win over UCF. They also dis...

We've got former Cougs in this year's Super Bowl! That includes Chiefs assistant coach Porter Ellett, who joins Lauren for an extended interview. Former BYU Football stars Mitch Matthews and Brian Logan then talk to Lauren about who they are rooting for in the big game and if they enjoy the Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift drama. Plus, they discuss "Cougars in the Pros" and the impact all these forme...

Check out Chief's assistant coach Porter Ellett's full interview with Lauren McClain as they talk about Kansas City getting ready for the Super Bowl, players watching out for him because he's a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and winning a bet with Travis Kelce.

The Cougars are coming off a massive home win over the Texas Longhorns and now travel to West Virginia looking to get their 4th conference win. Lauren is joined by BYU Basketball legend Jonathan Tavernari and BYUtv Sports Producer Hema Heimuli to discuss their upcoming game versus the Mountaineers. They discuss how BYU has been getting it done inside the paint as of recent and talk about whether t...

BYU fans love a good tailgate before big games. One of the biggest Cougar fans wants you to stop by to rant and chat about the teams that wear white and blue. Lauren McClain wants to hear from you on Cougar Tailgate as she and her raucous roundtable grill up spicy takes and potentially spicy food.

BYU bounces back after two huge conference wins against UCF and Iowa State. Lauren, Brandon, and Terry briefly recap BYU's dominating performance over the Cyclones. They also debate which team in Utah is the best basketball school at the moment. They discuss whether they enjoy the brutal schedule of Big-12 basketball or would they rather play an easier schedule like they did in the WCC. Lauren, Br...

After two disappointing losses to begin conference play, Lauren, Jonny, and Hema are here to dissect the positives and negatives of BYU's rocky Big-12 start. They begin the show reacting live to our man-on-the-street responses during Saturday's loss to Cincinnati at the Marriott Center. Lauren, Jonny, and Hema also play basketball and football versions of "Buy or Sell?" They close the show discuss...

Come tailgate with Lauren McClain as she is joined by Hema Heimuli and Brian Logan to talk Coach Pope's greatest wins, play some football and basketball trivia, and talk BYU's football recruiting!

After a disappointing loss to arch-rival Utah, BYU gets back to their winning ways with a dominant win over Denver. Lauren, Jonny, and Hema recap the highlights from BYU's 90-74 win over Denver. Cougar Tailgate producer Tori Kimball gets raw fans reactions about "What is your favorite thing about this BYU Hoops Team?" Lauren, Hema, and Jonny react to the fans responses as well. As always, they pla...