In a thrilling finish at Rice-Eccles Stadium, BYU’s quarterback Jake Retzlaff turned a seemingly lost game into a remarkable victory against rival Utah. With the clock ticking down and the Utes ahead 21-19, a pivotal fourth-down holding penalty on Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn gave BYU a fresh set of downs. This fortuitous break allowed Retzlaff to lead a swift drive down the field, culminating in a 44-yard field goal by kicker Will Ferrin that sealed the Cougars’ 22-21 comeback win.
The outcome left Utah’s athletic director, Mark Harlan, fuming over the officiating, claiming, “This game was absolutely stolen from us.” He expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that the Utes deserved the victory and criticized the performance of the officiating crew.
Despite the heartbreak, Utah’s head coach Kyle Whittingham acknowledged his team’s effort, stating he was proud of his players who fought valiantly throughout the match. He noted that while the circumstances of the loss were unfortunate, the team’s performance should still be a source of pride.
Leading up to the dramatic climax, Utah initially controlled the game with impressive plays from sophomore quarterback Brandon Rose, who threw two touchdown passes and even added a rushing touchdown himself. However, BYU’s special teams shone brightly with a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown by Keelan Marion.
With the win, BYU remains undefeated at 9-0 and leads the Big 12 standings, putting them in a strong position for the conference championship. Conversely, Utah’s losing streak has extended to five games, leaving them at 4-5 for the season.
This game serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports, where fortunes can change in an instant. It also highlights the importance of maintaining focus on the positives, such as the individual performances from both sides and the fierce rivalry that continues to thrill fans. As the season progresses, both teams will have opportunities to learn and rebound, making for an exciting finish to college football this year.