BYU’s football team maintained their perfect season record by making a comeback in the second half to defeat Utah 22-21. The game was intense as the Cougars scored 12 unanswered points to secure the win. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff’s performance was outstanding as he led the team on an 11-play, 65-yard drive that set up the winning field goal by Will Ferrin.
However, controversy arose after the game when Utah’s athletic director, Mark Harlan, accused the referees of stealing the game from his team. He expressed his disappointment in the officiating crew and vowed to address the issue with the commissioner. Despite both teams being penalized 10 times each, costing Utah more yardage, Harlan felt that a crucial penalty against his team on a sack play could have changed the outcome of the game.
BYU’s head coach, Kalani Sitake, acknowledged the role of referees in the game but emphasized that his team was able to capitalize on the opportunities presented to them. Quarterback Retzlaff’s performance was crucial to the victory, with 219 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. Receiver Chase Roberts also had a significant contribution with six catches for 91 yards.
On the other hand, Utah’s Brandon Rose put up a solid performance with two touchdown passes and an interception, despite the loss. The team’s record dropped to 4-5 after the defeat.
Overall, the game between BYU and Utah was a thrilling matchup that ended in controversy due to the accusations made by Utah’s athletic director. Both teams showed resilience and determination, making it an exciting game for fans to watch. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how both teams bounce back from this intense rivalry game.
