Subscribe to get the latest stories first! It’s FREE! Your support allows me to keep writing unique content that you won’t find anywhere else. Sign up today and ensure award-winning coverage straight to your inbox.
BYU does it again.
The 15th-ranked Cougars defeated No. 23 Utah, 24-21 in front of the largest crowd at LaVell Edwards stadium since 2004 when the Cougars hosted Notre Dame.
With the win, BYU improves to 7-0 for the third time in the Sitake era and in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. The Cougars also had 7-0 starts in 1979, 1984, 2001, 2020 and 2024.
The Cougars have also won 3 in a row against Utah for the first time in 33 years when the Cougars rolled off 4 straight from 1989-1992.
In my BYU-Utah preview, I predicted BYU would win 23-20, based on a number of reasons, despite all the oddsmakers and national media picking Utah. As Kevin G. Brown would say, “when you know, you know!”
Big Noon Kickoff: The Best Signs From Provo For The BYU-Utah Holy War
Bear Bachmeier led the way as the dual-threat quarterback threw for 166 yards and a touchdown and added 64 yards rushing and sensational touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
LJ Martin added 122 yards on the ground to power the Cougars to victory. The junior running back got stronger as the game went on and the Cougars relied on him in the second half as BYU’s offensive line wore down the Utes.
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns for (5-2, 2-2). Daniel Bray added a career-high 121 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. The Utes surrendered 14 straight points after taking their first lead less than a minute into the fourth quarter.
Here’s a look at the reactions in BYU’s win over Utah:
BYU wins its third-straight Holy War vs Utah 😤@BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/CutwWouVEH
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2025
BYU is a Top 10 Football team in College Football right now.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 19, 2025
One of the best runs of the year!
Utah has lost 3 in a row to BYU.
The Cougs continue to run this state. https://t.co/fuaxhOd0gk
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 19, 2025
I love Bear. Unreal toughness.
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) October 19, 2025
That run from Bear Bachmeier might be the most badass play I've seen all season
— John Kurtz (@jlkurtz) October 19, 2025
— Jeff Hansen (@rakoto10) October 19, 2025
Great work! pic.twitter.com/uxWnzl21yg
— Richie Saunders Szn – Go Cougs (@BuzzedCougar) October 20, 2025
AYO … President Reese … is that you? 😎🤙 pic.twitter.com/0gKACCPGhh
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 19, 2025
Welp….. that was fun.
Cougs all day 😏
Cougar Nation and the ROC…….. you’re all GOAT STATUS!!!! #GoCougs 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) October 19, 2025
MY DAWGS !!!! GO COUGS 💙 @faletausatuala @YsTanman11 pic.twitter.com/sijSP0kvye
— Raider Damuni 🇫🇯 (@raiderdamuni) October 19, 2025
Thank You God! Thank You to my teammates! Thank You to my coaches! Thank You Coug Nation! It’s a Blessing💙 pic.twitter.com/Krh7BA6d5g
— ✞ one of one ✞ (@therriannn) October 19, 2025
My brothers💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/WZbeN2NMfc
— ✞ one of one ✞ (@therriannn) October 20, 2025
The ROC creates a massive home field advantage, especially at night 🧛🏽♂️🤙🏽 @byuROC https://t.co/gnu1kY8U1Z pic.twitter.com/3BLinCiTPu
— Tanner Wall (@YsTanman11) October 16, 2025
Man I love these boys!!! Proud of them!! #GoCougs🤙🏾💙
— Harvey Unga (@unga45) October 19, 2025
What a night!!! #CougarNation you brought the Juice!! What an atmosphere! Unbelievable what home field advantage we have! Much Love!!! https://t.co/yCYYLvg5Hd
— coachkellypoppinga (@Coach_Popp) October 19, 2025
😎😎😎😎 1-0 baby!!!! Is that 3 in a row?!! Yikkkkeeeessss! BTA!!!! Iykyk!!!
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) October 19, 2025
The stars showing up and showing out!!!
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) October 19, 2025
Man what a football game! Respect. But let’s go @BYUfootball #byu
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) October 19, 2025
Exclusive: NFL Ref Reacts To Controversial Roughing Call On BYU’s Isaiah Glasker
Alright, I'm buying BYU now.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 19, 2025
Six remaining unbeatens in major college football
TexasA&M
Georgia Tech
BYU
Ohio State
Indiana
Navy— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 19, 2025
Put the Holy War in a museum. More color on color matchups. pic.twitter.com/wz5y2k9qnZ
— David Ubben (@davidubben) October 19, 2025
THE BYU KIDS ARE ON THE GRASS! pic.twitter.com/e4q9NIkuqh
— locked on big 12, america’s conference. (@LOBig12) October 19, 2025
Can we talk about how awesome Bear Bachmeier was?
True Freshman.
Rivalry Game.
No Turnovers.
Composure.
Grit.We’re lucky to have him.
— Spencer Clark (@KalanisCalves) October 19, 2025
Faletau Satuala ought to be ranked QUITE high on 2027 NFL Draft boardspic.twitter.com/BxK76EebDs
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 19, 2025
“Hello 911: I’d like to report a murder”
pic.twitter.com/3II6Gj1MB4— Geoff Johnston (@geoffjBYU) October 19, 2025
#13… “I was excited to be in the Big 12, but tonight, I am not.”#BYUvsUTAH #BYUFOOTBALL #Big12FB #Utah #CFB https://t.co/kT98z5ADBu
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 19, 2025
BYU RUNS THE STATE OF UTAH pic.twitter.com/GOfJc3MXqC
— Barstool Big 12 (@BarstoolBig12) October 19, 2025
This isn't hyperbole: the Holy War is the BEST rivalry in college football.
Congrats to @kalanifsitake and the BYU faithful for another win tonight. 3x in a row.
CFB is better when these two play. It's AMAZING when these two play with so much on the line.
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 19, 2025
Man, the line closed at Utah 5.5 point favorites on the road vs an undefeated BYU team. The absolute disrespect. Glad we pulled that one off
— Ys Guide (@YsGuide) October 19, 2025
I called it! https://t.co/5ijl13T912 pic.twitter.com/HOWZIvnHVL
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 19, 2025
Subscribe to get the latest stories first! It’s FREE! Your support allows me to keep writing unique content that you won’t find anywhere else. Sign up today and ensure award-winning coverage straight to your inbox.
Cougars….. Baby… That was AMAZING!!!!
— ByuMomma (@uclagrad90) October 19, 2025
Gonna make a grown man cry
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) October 19, 2025
Crazy Utah was winning the Pac12. Must have been a weak league because they are very easy to beat.
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) October 19, 2025
Feel awful for Kyle. He put off retirement just to get his butt kicked again.
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) October 19, 2025
Sack Kelly seals it! BYU runs this state! https://t.co/aZFNoOYvfu
— Kung Fu Kevy (@DJ_Kevy_Kev) October 19, 2025
Sack Kelly ‼️‼️‼️
— Khyiris Tonga (@khyiristonga) October 19, 2025
Cougs Nation!! Let’s RIDE!!! pic.twitter.com/qsiVtURV7d
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) October 19, 2025
GGs https://t.co/KRsE3AosFL pic.twitter.com/tZp8VozmHp
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) October 19, 2025
It’s wild how quickly BYU caught up and passed Utah once we joined the Big XII. That Power 4 money and exposure hit different.
3 straight over utah #GoCougs 🐾 pic.twitter.com/Uoz9qyaAfo
— Dr. Derwin L. Gray (@DerwinLGray) October 19, 2025
Jason Benetti: “What’s BYU’s ceiling?
RG3: “National Championship.”
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) October 19, 2025
THREE IN A ROW. #FourIsComing
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) October 19, 2025
The real question we need to ask @jaylassoku is if Morgan Scalley is still the head coach in waiting in 2056. Dude's been waiting forever.
I see oddsmakers have +4000 that Scalley finally gets the keys by 2056, -200 that Whittingham’s still calling plays from the press box 😂
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 19, 2025
Subscribe to get the latest stories first! It’s FREE! Your support allows me to keep writing unique content that you won’t find anywhere else. Sign up today and ensure award-winning coverage straight to your inbox.
https://t.co/ygw89eleCM pic.twitter.com/xjHX8gZRWV
— Shawn Tanuvasa (@ShawnTanuvasa) October 20, 2025
"I've always wanted to score against Utah…high-fiving our fans, it was awesome."@ParkerKingston breaks down his touchdown run. pic.twitter.com/WO28BIEecV
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) October 19, 2025
Air Bear Bachmeier pic.twitter.com/LMEMCffIFi
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 19, 2025
Pac-12 spent 40 years saying we weren't a good cultural fit for them.
Then they went out of business. https://t.co/BriE9yvSmb— Greg Welch (@ArtDirectorBYU) October 19, 2025
Holy War W. 3 in a row. Field rush. Big Noon Kickoff. Portnoy Reviews. Booing Urban. Ryder Lyons. AJ Dybantsa. KVN. Jamaal Williams. Benson Boone 😂. The Utah Jazz. Whitt losing…again. Blueberry Cougartails (gas btw 🔥). Drone show. RG3. Drake Toll. Bear hurdles and much more.… pic.twitter.com/EHWqffDKgp
— Dustin Ivers (@dustin_ivers) October 21, 2025
Whoa.
Bear Bachmeier interview on what BYU did before the two second-half TD drives to win the game:
“I had Rice Krispy's and some oranges, and then LJ, Parker, and myself came out and ran it down their throat.”
😳 #BYU #GoCougs 🤙#HolyWar pic.twitter.com/874wHZlmEJ
— ⛳️ Jalenooperdogg 🏌️♂️ (@JalenooperDogg) October 19, 2025
BYU owns the state and Bragging rights. My observations are simple Utah Lost this game. Two critical turnovers and refusing to kick 3 field goals. BYU doesn’t beat itself and plays complimentary football. They are sound on ST O and D. BYU is the better Team the score says it.
— Coach Holliday (@eagle88me) October 19, 2025
When I was at BYU we had great players who believed they COULD beat UTAH. When I got to UTAH the TEAM knew we would BEAT BYU. There wasn’t a DOUBT WE WOULD WIN. Now BYU PLAYERS KNOW and BELIEVE they will BEAT UTAH. The MIND and PYSCHE HAS SWITCHED TO THE COUGARS
— Coach Holliday (@eagle88me) October 19, 2025
The all blue vs all red in the Utah vs BYU game looks absolutely incredible pic.twitter.com/DeOWlhxEVP
— College Football Zone (@CollegeFBonX) October 19, 2025
This might have been the best week of my life as a BYU fan.
Been rooting for them since I was 5 years old. We didn’t have much money growing up, but three different times we had a neighbor that owned a car dealership that let us use his tickets and go with them to a game, live.…
— JD Jones (@JayDee909771543) October 19, 2025
The last time BYU won 3 in a row against Utah was 33 years ago when the Cougars rolled off four straight from 1989-1992.#BYUvsUTAH #HolyWar #BYUFOOTBALL #Big12FB #CFB #BYU #Utah pic.twitter.com/6kIcc4VxYk
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 19, 2025
Ooooof.
Wayshawn Parker
8 carries, 23 yards (2.9 avg) ) 0 TDs #BYUvsUTAH #HolyWar #BYUFOOTBALL #Big12FB #CFB #BYU #Utah pic.twitter.com/Okg5OScfrH— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 19, 2025
Tom, this was all built on your vision. We thank you!
— Skyler Beltran (@SkylerBeltran) October 19, 2025
Subscribe to get the latest stories first! It’s FREE! Your support keeps me writing unique content that you won’t find anywhere else. Sign up today and ensure award-winning coverage straight to your inbox.
Follow Justin Giles on Twitter and Fan Insider on Facebook.
Big Noon Kickoff: The Best Signs From Provo For The BYU-Utah Holy War
