BYU Fans Unite To Lift Cosmo Over Penn State’s Nittany Lion, Advance To Mascot Final Four

SALT LAKE CITY – We just witnessed the most exciting event since quarantines and social distancing became our new normal. Did I think that event would be an online vote to determine who’s the better college mascot? No. But hey, in these tough times any light-hearted fun is more than welcome.

BYU’s beloved mascot Cosmo came from behind in a down-to-the-wire finish in the Elite 8 of the SiriusXM College Mascot bracket. The win sends Cosmo to the Final Four of the bracket.

Mascot Bracket East Region Elite 8

#16 @BYUCougars vs #10 @GoPSUSports@byu_cosmo #GoCougs @NittanyLion #WeAre

— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) April 9, 2020

The Twitter voting began on Thursday at 10 a.m. (MDT) and Cosmo jumped out to a sizable lead like it has done in previous matchups in this tournament. Then the Penn State fans rocked the Twitter ballot giving the Nittany Lion a lead.

At around 7 p.m. (MDT) and with three hours remaining in the vote, the Nittany Lion held a lead. That’s when BYU fans rounded up on social media and fan message boards such as Cougarboard to rock the vote in favor of Cosmo.

The movement was so strong on Twitter that Cosmo became the No. 2 trending topic in Salt Lake City before the voting closed at 10 p.m. (MDT).

When it was all said and done, the late push by BYU fans gave Cosmo the win by a final tally of 51 percent to the Nittany Lion’s 49 percent. Cosmo and BYU fans would not be denied and now it sets up a Final Four matchup against another Big Ten foe.

Cosmo steps into the throw, into the wind, down to the goal line…..and caught!!!! #BYU @kslsports pic.twitter.com/tGE2qmt6Tn

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) April 10, 2020

Cosmo will take on Wisconsin’s Bucky coming up on Monday. The other semifinal towards crowning college sports’ best mascot is Western Kentucky’s Big Red taking on Oklahoma’s Boomer Schooner.

Look at the reactions on social from BYU fans after Cosmo pulled off the victory.

WE DID IT! Let's have a social distancing party! Who's dropping the Zoom link?

Rest up tho because tomorrow we play Wisconsin in the Final Four… pic.twitter.com/1zwcwXb7bb

— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) April 10, 2020

YESSSSSSSS!!!!! pic.twitter.com/2ZTZOp95nk

— Mark Durrant (@DurrantMark) April 10, 2020

COSMO GOT THAT DUB!! On to the Final Four 🔥🔥#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/AEPemAwL2c

— The ROC (@byuROC) April 10, 2020

It’s happening https://t.co/5jApqBkYmr

— Hemā de Armas (@x_hems) April 10, 2020

#BOOM let’s GO!!!!!! Great work Cougar Nation!!!!!! 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 https://t.co/eGXJPLxMfA

— David Almodova 💛💜 (@DKaulana) April 10, 2020

Correction: The Mascot Final Four will begin on Monday. Article previously stated it would be on Friday.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.