Bywater, Rehkow named to the AP all-bowl team

PROVO, Utah — BYU linebacker Ben Bywater and punter Ryan Rehkow were named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team for their outstanding play in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 17. 

Bywater was one of four linebackers honored by the AP for his performance in BYU’s 24-23 win over SMU. His 76-yard interception return for a touchdown set a New Mexico Bowl record and gave the Cougars a 17-10 lead midway through the third quarter. Bywater also tied a season high with 11 tackles in the game, helping BYU hold a SMU offense ranked top 15 in the FBS in five statical categories to its second-lowest output of the season. 

Joining Bywater as linebackers on the all-bowl team were Aaron Beasley (Tennessee), Kyrei Fisher-Morris (Oregon State) and Daylen Gill (Southern Miss).

Rehkow, a two-time Ray Guy Award candidate, was named the 2022 AP all-bowl punter. In four attempts, he averaged 58.8 yards per punt, including a New Mexico Bowl record 67-yarder. The BYU special teams captain was instrumental in flipping field position throughout the bowl game, with three punts over 60 yards and three downed inside the 20-yard line. 

Rehkow and Bywater were both previously honored on the 2022 Phil Steel Independent All-Conference Team in mid-December. 

Bywater led BYU in total tackles with 98 and assisted tackles with 67. The sophomore was a team co-captain and a candidate for both the Butkus Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy. 

Also a team co-captain, Rehkow finished No. 1 in punting average (46.17) among all independent teams, ranking No. 5 nationally. The sophomore placed 16 of 40 punts inside the 20 and had 12 kicks longer than 50 yards as a repeat candidate for the Ray Guy Award in 2022.