Mascot Dance-Off: BYU’s Cosmo, WKU’s Big Red Boogie During Timeout

PROVO, Utah – BYU’s Cosmo and Western Kentucky’s Big Red held a Halloween dance-off during a timeout in the action between the Cougars and Hilltoppers.

BYU hosted Western Kentucky at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, October 31.

During the stoppage in play, Cosmo and Big Red boogied to the song “Thriller” by Michael Jackson.

Halloween dance battle between @byu_cosmo and @WKUBigRed 🎃 👻 #WKUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/zatpjEdIcf

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 1, 2020

These two iconic mascots squared off in the SiriusXM Mascot National Championship in April when everyone was clamoring for some competition amidst the early days and weeks of the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

Cosmo came away victorious in that hotly contested Twitter vote, edging out Big Red by a little over two percent of a battle with over 96,000 votes in total.

The vote was met with controversy as a three-hour investigation into voter fraud took place, examining the votes that propelled Cosmo to victory. Cosmo ultimately was crowned the National Champion.

Western Kentucky’s Big Red

Born: September 21, 1979; celebrates December 1st

Creator: Ralph Carey

Initial cost: $900

Species: Bluegrass Blob

Best attributes: Belly slide & belly shake, fuzzy, lovable, amorphous

The People deserved better, and that’s the bottom line, because Big Red said so. 💪 #GoTops pic.twitter.com/K7GHL6jzAz

— Big Red (@WKUBigRed) April 17, 2020

Accomplishments: “Key to Spirit” award winner at the Universal Cheerleading Association in 1980, 1981, 1983; Inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2007; Appearances in “This is SportsCenter” commercials.

Controversy: Western Kentucky filed a plagiarism lawsuit over an Italian mascot named Gabibbo that has a striking resemblance to Big Red in 2003. The case still rages on in the Italian Supreme Court to this day.

Social media following: Facebook – 34,107; Twitter – 12,225; TikTok – 2,644

BYU’s Cosmo

Born: October 15th, 1953

Creator: Dwayne Stevenson

Initial cost: $73

Species: Cougar

Best attributes: Hip-Hop dancing, charisma, intelligence, and honor

Just vibin’ on my birthday with the world famous BYU Creamery chocolate milk 😌 pic.twitter.com/fnwRhE9RaX

— Cosmo Cougar (@byu_cosmo) October 15, 2020

Accomplishments: SiriusXM National Champion Mascot in 2020; World record holder for consecutive windmills; Viral sensation with the dance moves.

Controversy: Cosmo underwent “Cosmotic Surgery” in 1997. The new Cosmo wasn’t as lovable and charismatic as the original. The beloved mascot took in some more surgery and got a new look closer to the one everybody knows today.

Social Media Following: Facebook – 24,650; Twitter – 4,335; Instagram – 168,000; TikTok – 1.5 million

He wasn’t voted as top mascot for no reason. 🎳 @byu_cosmo#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #LTvsBYU https://t.co/1k1vVSTyvA

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 3, 2020

BYU’s game against Western Kentucky is broadcast on ESPN and KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM.