UCF long snapper Dalton Riggs eager for return to BYU

Nobody has a better understanding of what UCF can expect to face when the Knights travel to BYU this Saturday than long snapper Dalton Riggs.

Riggs, a redshirt junior, began his college career in Provo, Utah, with the Cougars before eventually transferring to UCF this summer in search of a new challenge.

He was recruited by special teams coordinator Pete Alamar to join a new group of specialists that included kicker Noe Ruelas and punter Anthony Venneri. The unit has been one of the more consistent groups on the team.

“I love it,” Riggs recently said of his time at UCF. “I have a lot of friends and family and they ask me what it’s like playing in Florida and at UCF and I tell them I love it. It’s such a great school to represent and play for.”

Saturday’s showdown between UCF and No. 11 BYU has implications for both teams.

UCF (5-6, 2-6 Big 12) needs a win to become bowl-eligible for the first time since the 2023 season, while No. 11 BYU (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) can secure a spot in the Big 12 title game with a win over the Knights. A victory would also keep the Cougars in the hunt for a possible spot in the College Football Playoff.

Riggs, who spent three seasons at BYU, is looking forward to catching up with some of his old friends.

“I’m good friends with all the guys on the team, so I love watching them,” Riggs said back in October. “I love seeing all my guys play. I’m still good friends with all of them, so of course, I watch them and I have a lot of excitement for them.

“I can’t wait for this. The trajectory that we have going at UCF is going great and the trajectory at BYU is going great. So it’ll be fun at the end of the game to be able to have a big push and see where we’re at that point in the season.”

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Riggs’ connection to BYU runs deep, with his father, Duane, and brother, Austin, having played for the Cougars. Austin was also a long snapper for the Cougars, having appeared in 21 games from 2020-21.

That connection makes this weekend’s game extra special for Dalton and his family.

“I have a lot of extended family. I probably have close to 80 extended family members,” Riggs said. “When we go there, I’m probably going to get 60 to 70 tickets and fill them up in the BYU corner and they’re all going to be wearing black and gold. It’s going to be awesome.

“It’s one [game] that I do want to walk away with a really nice upset there in LaVell. I really do enjoy playing there.”

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