BYU FOOTBALL

How BYU Football Kept Undefeated Season Alive With Win At Utah

Nov 10, 2024, 5:31 AM | Updated: Nov 11, 2024, 2:06 pm

SALT LAKE CITY – BYU football did it again.

The undefeated ninth-ranked Cougars faced a struggling opponent fresh off a bye week. Like Oklahoma State a month ago, rival Utah delivered their best shot in the first half to put BYU on the ropes.

But the Big 12-leading Cougars found the urgency that was missing in the first half to seize the moment and secure a 22-21 at Utah.

It was the first victory over Utah in Salt Lake City since 2006.

BYU has won two consecutive games in the rivalry for the first time since 2007.

Will Ferrin delivered a 44-yard field goal with three seconds left to secure the victory.

BYU football faced adversity against Utah

But for many stretches of the game, BYU looked to be on the brink of suffering its first loss of the year, while Utah was knocking on the door of ending a four-game losing streak and saving its season.

Things can change in a hurry.

“The rivalry games comes down to the end, just like we’ve seen so many times,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said. “Glad we got the other side of this.”

BYU’s offense, one of the best in the Big 12 this season, struggled on Saturday against Utah’s healthy defensive front. They only finished with six points in Saturday’s victory. But in the second half they found success and put Will Ferrin in position to deliver points.

After allowing Utah to score 21 points in the first half, the Utes’ first time hitting the 20-point mark since September, BYU tightened up in the second half, holding Utah to 59 total yards and zero points.

Defense tightened up in the second half

Quarterback Brandon Rose caused some headaches for BYU’s defense in the first half on QB runs. But that was kept in check for the second half.

It then came down to the final drive of the game. BYU had 1:56 remaining from its own nine-yard line.

Two-minute drill in the fourth quarter … again

The Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd was deafening. Utah defenders were hyped and cheering on the crowd to get louder as BYU’s offense looked for one more example of late game heroics.

The noise at RES appeared to be getting to BYU as Jake Retzlaff had to throw away two passes, and had an incomplete ball for Chase Roberts. It set up a fourth-and-ten.

For a split second, Retzlaff and the BYU offense looked to be stopped.

Officials called a holding penalty on Utah’s Zemaiah Vaughn for holding BYU receiver Jojo Phillips. That was the play that caused Utah AD Mark Harlan to go to the microphone and call out the officiating crew after the game.

The following play, Calhoun came up with pass breakup for Utah. The BYU offense struggled to generate anything on their own until Retzlaff connected with Chase Roberts on 2nd & 10 with 1:22 remaining to get BYU near midfield.

One play later, Retzlaff found Darius Lassiter for a first down out of bounds.

Then it was Hinckley Ropati on the ground for a 14-yard gain and another first down. But then BYU was called for a penalty, the second of the game by center Bruce Mitchell.

BYU had 1st & 15 from the Utah 30-yard line. From there, it was all about running the ball and getting in a spot where Will Ferrin could boot the kick.

Game-winning field goal from Will Ferrin

After a pair of Utah timeouts and minimal gains on runs from Retzlaff and LJ Martin, it set up a 44-yard field goal from Will Ferrin.

“The amount of reps that we’ve gotten as an operation is almost overkill,” said Ferrin. “I’ve told people that I think Sam VanderHaar has gotten the most amount of reps holding out of anyone in the country in the last 12 months. That’s something that we take a lot of pride in. So when we get into situations like this, it’s just another kick and we can go out and execute like we’ve been doing for however long we’ve been here.”

Ferrin booted the ball through the uprights and delivered BYU another win on this memorable ride of a season.

It’s the type of year that begs the question, is BYU a team of destiny?

“We just keep believing in each other. We’ve doubled down on our culture, trusting and loving each other. I think it’s gone well, but it’s also had some ups and downs, but it just doesn’t look like that because we’re 9-0 right now. There’s a lot of really cool things that we can keep building on.”

The next opportunity to keep building on this magical ride is next Saturday against Kansas in Provo.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. It allows you to stream live radio and video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • BYU Cougars Scoreboard

  • BYU Cougars Team Leaders

  • BYU Cougars Standings

BYU Football

Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers...

Ben Anderson

Bronny James Gifts BYU WR JoJo Phillips Signed Game Jersey

Bronny James reunited with his former high school teammate JoJo Phillips and gifted the BYU wide receiver a signed game jersey.

8 hours ago

tom holmoe...

Patrick Kinahan

PK: Tom Holmoe Leaves Firm Foundation At BYU Athletics

With the heavy lifting over for BYU – at least for now, anyway – Tom Holmoe can leave knowing his strong leadership has given the athletic department a solid foundation going forward.

1 day ago

Tom Holmoe, BYU Athletics, Memorable Moments...

Mitch Harper

Memorable BYU Athletics Moments During Tom Holmoe Era

Looking back at the Tom Holmoe era of BYU Athletics.

2 days ago

tom holmoe...

KSL Sports

What KSL Sports Hosts Are Saying About Tom Holmoe Retirement

Holmoe's retirement became the topic of conversation across the Wasatch Front, with KSL Sports' hosts getting in on the conversation.

2 days ago

tom holmoe...

Tanner Tripp and Mitch Harper

Social Media Reacts To BYU AD Tom Holmoe Retiring

After the announcement, social media erupted with reactions to Holmoe's decision, with memories being shared and praise being sent from former athletes, Utah sports legends, and others.

2 days ago

BYU Football, Newcomers, 2025 Season, Keanu Tanuvasa, Kalani Sitake...

Mitch Harper

BYU Football Newcomers Who Could Make An Impact In 2025

Sizing up the potential impact newcomers for BYU football in 2025.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week two of the season were Jackson Maw from […]

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week two were Faythe Stauffer from Riverton High […]

...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy’s and girl’s basketball players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the court and exceptional play. Our winners for week two were Easton Hawkins from Lehi […]

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week one of the season were Sam Romer from […]

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week one were Beckham Bayles from Cyprus High […]

...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy’s and girl’s basketball players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the court and exceptional play. Our winners for week one were Jaxon McCuistion from Timpanogos […]

How BYU Football Kept Undefeated Season Alive With Win At Utah