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BYU vs. Colorado

Saturday, December 28, 2024, Alamo Bowl

No. 17 BYU beat No. 20 Colorado 36–⁠14. It was their 13th meeting; after it, Colorado led the series 8–⁠4–⁠1.

Neutral site17BYU11–⁠2 in 2024
36
Neutral site20Colorado9–⁠4 in 2024
14

Final at Alamodome, San AntonioIndoorsTV: ABCAttendance 64,261

MVPs L.J. Martin (RB, BYU); Isaiah Glasker (LB, BYU)Wikipedia

Official
Kyle OlsonGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
BYU10107936
Colorado007714

How the win probability moved

Colorado favored

Win probability by play: Colorado 57% at kickoff, 0% at the end. Biggest swing: 16 points.

BYU favored

Win probability after every play, from CollegeFootballData.com’s model. The dot marks the biggest swing (16 points).

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

BYU

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Jake Retzlaff12/2115102
Gerry Bohannon0/1001
Parker Kingston0/1000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
L.J. Martin1793223
Jake Retzlaff729023
Sione I Moa425113
Pokaiaua Haunga520014
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
L.J. Martin233028
Ryner Swanson230020
Parker Kingston124024
Darius Lassiter224014
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Isaiah Glasker8101
Harrison Taggart4110
Tyler Batty4000
Jakob Robinson3000
Logan Lutui2110
Siale Esera2110
Raider Damuni2110
Evan Johnson1001

Colorado

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Shedeur Sanders16/2320822
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Micah Welch52508
Isaiah Augustave31106
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Travis Hunter4106158
LaJohntay Wester451025
Dallan Hayden138038
Jimmy Horn Jr.4703
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Shilo Sanders8000
Chidozie Nwankwo71.510
LaVonta Bentley6000
Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig61.501
Taje McCoy3110
Dylahn McKinney2001
Anquin Barnes2001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

BYUColorado
331Total yards210
151Passing yards208
180Rushing yards2
6.6Yards per pass9.0
4.3Yards per rush0.1
22First downs9
8–⁠14Third downs3–⁠9
0–⁠0Fourth downs0–⁠1
3Turnovers2
9–⁠80Penalties8–⁠65
35:56Possession24:04
4Sacks (by defense)2

Efficiency

BYUColorado
40%Success rate29%
−0.06EPA per play−0.10
1.13Explosiveness2.01
0.17Rushing EPA−0.10
−0.45Passing EPA−0.09
24%Passing-down success29%
−0.13First-down EPA−0.03
−0.51Second-down EPA−0.49
0.76Third-down EPA0.86
26%Havoc by its defense18%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

BYU 53% to win. BYU pulled the upset. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Colorado −3, over/under 55.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Colorado 58%, BYU 42%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

The money

The Alamo Bowl was put on by the San Antonio Bowl Association, a nonprofit. Its IRS Form 990 for the year to March 2025, which takes in this game, reports $19.4 million in revenue, $8.0 million of it from game admissions, and $15.2 million in expenses. Its best-paid, president Derrick Fox, was paid $944,000. The largest payments it lists that year:

Big 12see sch i, part IV$5.2 million
Pac-12see sch i, part IV$4.3 million

From the organization’s IRS Form 990, via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and the IRS’s e-file data. Payments are the grants it lists on Schedule I of that return. See every filing at ProPublica (EIN 74-2606522).

Every drive

Colorado end zoneBYU end zoneQ1 BYUPunt, 3 playsQ1 ColoradoTurnover on downs, 6 playsQ1 BYUTouchdown, 6 playsQ1 ColoradoPunt, 3 playsQ1 BYUField goal, 7 playsQ1 BYUInterception, 4 playsQ1 ColoradoMissed FG, 7 playsQ2 BYUInterception, 6 playsQ2 ColoradoPunt return TD, 3 plays (BYU scores)Q2 ColoradoPunt, 4 playsQ2 BYUField goal, 9 playsQ3 ColoradoInterception, 4 playsQ3 BYUTouchdown, 9 playsQ3 ColoradoTouchdown, 4 playsQ3 BYUInterception, 10 playsQ4 ColoradoPunt, 3 playsQ4 BYUTouchdown, 4 playsQ4 ColoradoInterception, 2 playsQ4 BYUField goal, 6 playsQ4 ColoradoTouchdown, 7 playsQ4 BYUEnd of game, 4 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Colorado drives left to right, BYU right to left.
  1. Q1 BYUPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  2. Q1 ColoradoTurnover on downs, 6 plays, 28 yards
  3. Q1 BYUTouchdown, 6 plays, 52 yards
  4. Q1 ColoradoPunt, 3 plays, −13 yards
  5. Q1 BYUField goal, 7 plays, 8 yards
  6. Q1 BYUInterception, 4 plays, 17 yards
  7. Q1 ColoradoMissed FG, 7 plays, 40 yards
  8. Q2 BYUInterception, 6 plays, 49 yards
  9. Q2 ColoradoPunt return TD, 3 plays (BYU scores), −13 yards
  10. Q2 ColoradoPunt, 4 plays, 14 yards
  11. Q2 BYUField goal, 9 plays, 11 yards
  12. Q3 ColoradoInterception, 4 plays, 11 yards
  13. Q3 BYUTouchdown, 9 plays, 55 yards
  14. Q3 ColoradoTouchdown, 4 plays, 63 yards
  15. Q3 BYUInterception, 10 plays, 58 yards
  16. Q4 ColoradoPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  17. Q4 BYUTouchdown, 4 plays, 42 yards
  18. Q4 ColoradoInterception, 2 plays, 3 yards
  19. Q4 BYUField goal, 6 plays, 18 yards
  20. Q4 ColoradoTouchdown, 7 plays, 82 yards
  21. Q4 BYUEnd of game, 4 plays, 11 yards

Play by play

1st quarter7 drives, then BYU 10, Colorado 0
BYU Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Cristiano Palazzo kickoff for 64 yds , Enoch Nawahine return for 30 yds to the BYU 31
14:491st & 10 at own 31Jake Retzlaff pass incomplete to Keelan Marion
14:452nd & 10 at own 31Jake Retzlaff pass incomplete to LJ Martin
14:453rd & 10 at own 31BYU Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the BYU 26
14:373rd & 15 at own 26LJ Martin run for 6 yds to the BYU 32
13:584th & 9 at own 32Sam Vander Haar punt for 44 yds, fair catch by LaJohntay Wester at the COLO 24
Colorado Turnover on downs, 6 plays
13:431st & 10 at own 24Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Jimmy Horn Jr. for 2 yds to the COLO 26
13:152nd & 8 at own 26Shedeur Sanders run for 7 yds to the COLO 33 for a 1ST down BYU Penalty, Defensive Holding (10 Yards) to the COLO 43 for a 1ST down
13:021st & 10 at own 43Micah Welch run for 5 yds to the COLO 48
12:262nd & 5 at own 48Micah Welch run for 3 yds to the BYU 49
11:353rd & 2 at opp 49Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Jimmy Horn Jr. for 1 yd to the BYU 48
10:564th & 1 at opp 48Shedeur Sanders pass incomplete to Will Sheppard
BYU Touchdown, 6 plays
10:421st & 10 at own 48Martin, LJ rush for 10 yards to the COLO42, PENALTY BYU holding 10 yards to the BYU38, NO PLAY.
10:241st & 20 at own 38Keelan Marion run for 4 yds to the BYU 42
9:452nd & 16 at own 42Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Chase Roberts for 11 yds to the COLO 47
9:153rd & 5 at opp 47LJ Martin run for 7 yds to the COLO 40 for a 1ST down
8:351st & 10 at opp 40Jake Retzlaff pass complete to LJ Martin for 28 yds to the COLO 12 for a 1ST down
7:471st & 10 at opp 12Gerry Bohanon run for 11 yds to the COLO 1 for a 1ST down
7:101st & goal at opp 1LJ Martin run for 1 yd for a TD (Will Ferrin KICK)BYU 7, Colorado 0
Colorado Punt, 3 plays
7:101st & 10 at own 35Will Ferrin kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
7:101st & 10 at own 25Colorado Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the COLO 20
6:541st & 15 at own 20Shedeur Sanders pass complete to LaJohntay Wester for 5 yds to the COLO 25
6:412nd & 10 at own 25Colorado Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the COLO 20
6:132nd & 15 at own 20Shedeur Sanders sacked by Harrison Taggart for a loss of 10 yards to the COLO 10
5:383rd & 25 at own 10Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Travis Hunter for 2 yds to the COLO 12
4:484th & 23 at own 12Mark Vassett punt for 43 yds , Parker Kingston returns for 14 yds to the COLO 41
BYU Field goal, 7 plays
4:411st & 10 at opp 41Jake Retzlaff pass incomplete to Keelan Marion
4:332nd & 10 at opp 41LJ Martin run for 6 yds to the COLO 35
3:493rd & 4 at opp 35Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Keelan Marion for 6 yds to the COLO 29 for a 1ST down
3:131st & 10 at opp 29Parker Kingston pass incomplete to Mata’ava Ta’ase
3:022nd & 10 at opp 29Jake Retzlaff sacked by Chidozie Nwankwo for a loss of 4 yards to the COLO 33 Jake Retzlaff fumbled, forced by Chidozie Nwankwo, recovered by BYU Jake Retzlaff , return for 0 yards
2:243rd & 14 at opp 33Jake Retzlaff pass incomplete to Parker Kingston
2:194th & 14 at opp 33Will Ferrin 51 yd FG GOODBYU 10, Colorado 0
BYU Interception, 4 plays
2:194th & 14 at own 35Will Ferrin on-side kick recovered by BYU at the BYU 46
2:071st & 10 at own 46LJ Martin run for 9 yds to the COLO 45
1:262nd & 1 at opp 45Sione I Moa run for 4 yds to the COLO 41 for a 1ST down
0:471st & 10 at opp 41Sione I Moa run for 4 yds to the COLO 37
0:052nd & 6 at opp 37Gerry Bohanon pass intercepted DJ McKinney return for 25 yds to the COLO 30
Colorado Missed FG, 7 plays
0:001st & 10 at own 30Isaiah Augustave run for 3 yds to the COLO 33
Q2 14:532nd & 7 at own 33Shedeur Sanders pass incomplete to Will Sheppard
Q2 14:533rd & 7 at own 33Sanders, Shedeur rush for 12 yards to the COLO45, PENALTY COLO illegal formation 5 yards to the COLO28, NO PLAY.
Q2 14:143rd & 12 at own 28Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Travis Hunter for 58 yds to the BYU 14 for a 1ST down
Q2 13:571st & 10 at opp 14Sanders, Shedeur pass complete to Wester, LaJohntay for loss of 1 yard to the BYU15, PENALTY BYU substitution infraction 5 yards to the BYU9, NO PLAY.
Q2 13:251st & 5 at opp 9Shedeur Sanders run for 2 yds to the BYU 7
Q2 12:402nd & 3 at opp 7Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Drelon Miller for no gain to the BYU 7
Q2 11:563rd & 3 at opp 7Shedeur Sanders sacked by Logan Lutui for a loss of 23 yards to the BYU 30
Q2 11:124th & 26 at opp 30Alejandro Mata 48 yd FG MISSED
2nd quarter4 drives, then BYU 20, Colorado 0
BYU Interception, 6 plays
11:051st & 10 at own 30LJ Martin run for 11 yds to the BYU 41 for a 1ST down
10:261st & 10 at own 41Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Pokaiaua Haunga for a loss of 1 yard to the BYU 40
9:542nd & 11 at own 40Sione I Moa run for 4 yds to the BYU 44
9:173rd & 7 at own 44Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Ryner Swanson for 20 yds to the COLO 36 for a 1ST down
8:411st & 10 at opp 36Keelan Marion run for no gain to the COLO 36 for a 1ST down Colorado Penalty, Personal Foul (15 Yards) to the COLO 21 for a 1ST down
8:111st & 10 at opp 21Jake Retzlaff pass intercepted Anquin Barnes Jr. return for 9 yds to the COLO 29
Colorado Punt return TD, 3 plays (BYU scores)
7:591st & 10 at own 29Isaiah Augustave run for 2 yds to the COLO 31
7:292nd & 8 at own 31Colorado Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the COLO 26
7:132nd & 13 at own 26Isaiah Augustave run for 6 yds to the COLO 32
6:483rd & 7 at own 32Shedeur Sanders sacked by Raider Damuni for a loss of 16 yards to the COLO 16
5:324th & 23 at own 16Mark Vassett punt for 48 yds , Parker Kingston returns for 64 yds for a TD (Will Ferrin KICK)BYU 17, Colorado 0
Colorado Punt, 4 plays
5:321st & 10 at own 35Will Ferrin kickoff for 65 yds , Jimmy Horn Jr. return for 20 yds to the COLO 20
5:091st & 10 at own 20Shedeur Sanders run for 11 yds to the COLO 31 for a 1ST down
4:241st & 10 at own 31Shedeur Sanders pass complete to LaJohntay Wester for 2 yds to the COLO 33
3:532nd & 8 at own 33Shedeur Sanders run for 1 yd to the COLO 34
3:163rd & 7 at own 34Shedeur Sanders pass incomplete to Travis Hunter
3:054th & 7 at own 34Mark Vassett punt for 36 yds , Parker Kingston returns for 4 yds to the BYU 38 BYU Penalty, Illegal Block (10 Yards) to the BYU 24
BYU Field goal, 9 plays
2:541st & 10 at own 24Jake Retzlaff run for 3 yds to the BYU 27
2:172nd & 7 at own 27Retzlaff, Jake pass pass intended for Roberts, Chase intercepted by Sanders, Shilo at the COLO35, Sanders, Shilo return 12 yards to the COLO47, PENALTY COLO offside 5 yards to the BYU32, NO PLAY.
2:002nd & 2 at own 32LJ Martin run for 4 yds to the BYU 36 for a 1ST down
1:561st & 10 at own 36Jake Retzlaff pass incomplete to Chase Roberts
1:432nd & 10 at own 36Jake Retzlaff run for 2 yds to the BYU 38
1:093rd & 8 at own 38Retzlaff, Jake pass incomplete to Moa, Sione I, PENALTY COLO holding 10 yards to the BYU48, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN BYU.
1:031st & 10 at own 48Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Ryner Swanson for 10 yds to the COLO 42 for a 1ST down
0:581st & 10 at opp 42Jake Retzlaff pass incomplete to Ryner Swanson
0:512nd & 10 at opp 42Jake Retzlaff sacked by Taje McCoy for a loss of 6 yards to the COLO 48
0:243rd & 16 at opp 48Timeout BYU, clock 00:24
0:123rd & 16 at opp 48Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Mata’ava Ta’ase for 12 yds to the COLO 36
0:024th & 4 at opp 36Timeout BYU, clock 00:02
0:004th & 4 at opp 36Will Ferrin 54 yd FG GOODBYU 20, Colorado 0
3rd quarter4 drives, then BYU 27, Colorado 7
Colorado Interception, 4 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Will Ferrin kickoff for 65 yds , Jimmy Horn Jr. return for 17 yds to the COLO 17
14:491st & 10 at own 17Micah Welch run for 7 yds to the COLO 24
14:152nd & 3 at own 24Micah Welch run for 8 yds to the COLO 32 for a 1ST down
13:501st & 10 at own 32Shedeur Sanders run for a loss of 4 yards to the COLO 28
13:012nd & 14 at own 28Shedeur Sanders pass intercepted Evan Johnson return for no gain to the BYU 45
BYU Touchdown, 9 plays
12:511st & 10 at own 45LJ Martin run for 5 yds to the 50 yard line
12:142nd & 5 at the 50LJ Martin run for 2 yds to the COLO 48
11:303rd & 3 at opp 48Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Darius Lassiter for 10 yds to the COLO 38 for a 1ST down
10:441st & 10 at opp 38LJ Martin run for 4 yds to the COLO 34
10:162nd & 6 at opp 34Jake Retzlaff pass incomplete to Darius Lassiter
10:103rd & 6 at opp 34Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Darius Lassiter for 14 yds to the COLO 20 for a 1ST down
9:281st & 10 at opp 20Gerry Bohanon run for 3 yds to the COLO 17
8:402nd & 7 at opp 17Gerry Bohanon run for 4 yds to the COLO 13
8:033rd & 3 at opp 13Sione I Moa run for 13 yds for a TD (Will Ferrin KICK)BYU 27, Colorado 0
Colorado Touchdown, 4 plays
8:033rd & 3 at own 35Will Ferrin kickoff for 60 yds , Jimmy Horn Jr. return for 17 yds to the COLO 48 BYU Penalty, Personal Foul (-15 Yards) to the COLO 37
7:501st & 10 at own 37Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Jimmy Horn Jr. for 1 yd to the BYU 38 for a 1ST down BYU Penalty, Face Mask (15 yards) (15 Yards) to the BYU 47 for a 1ST down
7:321st & 10 at opp 47Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Will Sheppard for 4 yds to the BYU 43
6:522nd & 6 at opp 43LaJohntay Wester run for no gain to the BYU 43
6:143rd & 6 at opp 43Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Travis Hunter for 43 yds for a TD (Alejandro Mata KICK)BYU 27, Colorado 7
BYU Interception, 10 plays
6:143rd & 6 at own 35Daniel Gerlach kickoff for 54 yds , Enoch Nawahine return for 17 yds to the BYU 28
6:001st & 10 at own 28Keelan Marion run for a loss of 3 yards to the BYU 25
5:182nd & 13 at own 25LJ Martin run for 7 yds to the BYU 32
4:323rd & 6 at own 32Jake Retzlaff run for 8 yds to the BYU 40 for a 1ST down
3:481st & 10 at own 40Jake Retzlaff run for 23 yds to the COLO 37 for a 1ST down
3:071st & 10 at opp 37Jake Retzlaff pass complete to LJ Martin for 5 yds to the COLO 32
2:202nd & 5 at opp 32LJ Martin run for a loss of 5 yards to the COLO 37
1:433rd & 10 at opp 37Timeout BYU, clock 01:43
1:323rd & 10 at opp 37Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Parker Kingston for 24 yds to the COLO 13 for a 1ST down
0:481st & 10 at opp 13LJ Martin run for a loss of 5 yards to the COLO 18
0:272nd & 15 at opp 18LJ Martin run for 4 yds to the COLO 14
Q4 14:513rd & 11 at opp 14Jake Retzlaff pass intercepted Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig return for 17 yds to the COLO 17
4th quarter6 drives, then BYU 36, Colorado 14
Colorado Punt, 3 plays
14:441st & 10 at own 17Shedeur Sanders pass incomplete to Travis Hunter
14:362nd & 10 at own 17Micah Welch run for 2 yds to the COLO 19
13:463rd & 8 at own 19Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Travis Hunter for 3 yds to the COLO 22
12:594th & 5 at own 22Mark Vassett punt for 43 yds , Parker Kingston returns for 23 yds to the COLO 42
BYU Touchdown, 4 plays
12:481st & 10 at opp 42Jake Retzlaff pass complete to Sione I Moa for 12 yds to the COLO 30 for a 1ST down
12:141st & 10 at opp 30BYU Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the COLO 35
11:581st & 15 at opp 35LJ Martin run for 23 yds to the COLO 12 for a 1ST down
11:111st & 10 at opp 12Jake Retzlaff run for 3 yds to the COLO 9
10:272nd & 7 at opp 9LJ Martin run for 9 yds for a TD (Jake Retzlaff intercepted)BYU 33, Colorado 7
Colorado Interception, 2 plays
10:272nd & 7 at own 35Will Ferrin kickoff for 46 yds , Omarion Miller return for no gain to the COLO 19
10:151st & 10 at own 19Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Jimmy Horn Jr. for 3 yds to the COLO 22
9:402nd & 7 at own 22Shedeur Sanders pass intercepted Isaiah Glasker return for no gain to the COLO 31
BYU Field goal, 6 plays
9:301st & 10 at opp 31Pokaiaua Haunga run for 5 yds to the COLO 26
8:452nd & 5 at opp 26Pokaiaua Haunga run for 14 yds to the COLO 12 for a 1ST down
7:591st & 10 at opp 12Pokaiaua Haunga run for 3 yds to the COLO 9
7:072nd & 7 at opp 9Pokaiaua Haunga run for no gain to the COLO 9
6:333rd & 7 at opp 9BYU Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the COLO 14
6:023rd & 12 at opp 14Pokaiaua Haunga run for 1 yd to the COLO 13
5:284th & 11 at opp 13Will Ferrin 31 yd FG GOODBYU 36, Colorado 7
Colorado Touchdown, 7 plays
5:284th & 11 at own 35Will Ferrin kickoff for 65 yds , Jimmy Horn Jr. return for 18 yds to the COLO 18
5:171st & 10 at own 18Shedeur Sanders pass complete to LaJohntay Wester for 19 yds to the COLO 37 for a 1ST down
4:351st & 10 at own 37Shedeur Sanders pass incomplete to Will Sheppard
4:282nd & 10 at own 37Shedeur Sanders sacked by Siale Esera for a loss of 2 yards to the COLO 35
3:343rd & 12 at own 35Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Dallan Hayden for 38 yds to the BYU 27 for a 1ST down
3:111st & 10 at opp 27Shedeur Sanders pass complete to LaJohntay Wester for 25 yds to the BYU 2 for a 1ST down
2:501st & goal at opp 2Dallan Hayden run for no gain to the BYU 2
2:172nd & goal at opp 2Shedeur Sanders pass complete to Sav’ell Smalls for 2 yds for a TD (Alejandro Mata KICK)BYU 36, Colorado 14
BYU End of game, 4 plays
2:172nd & 10 at own 35Cristiano Palazzo on-side kick recovered by BYU at the COLO 44
2:001st & 10 at opp 44Pokaiaua Haunga run for 2 yds to the COLO 42 for a 1ST down Colorado Penalty, Face Mask (15 yards) (15 Yards) to the COLO 27 for a 1ST down
1:551st & 10 at opp 27TEAM run for a loss of 2 yards to the COLO 29
1:152nd & 12 at opp 29TEAM run for a loss of 2 yards to the COLO 31
0:213rd & 14 at opp 31TEAM run for a loss of 2 yards to the COLO 33

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every BYU–Colorado game

Colorado leads 8–⁠5–⁠1 in 14 meetings, counting the one since this game.

Recent meetings
2025BYU 24, Colorado 21
2024BYU 36, Colorado 14Alamo Bowl
1988BYU 20, Colorado 17Freedom Bowl
1981BYU 41, Colorado 20
1947Colorado 9, BYU 7
1946BYU 10, Colorado 7

Around this game

BYU

Colorado

Ranked games that day

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