Utah Utes defeated BYU Cougars 28-20 in the 2026 Holy War rivalry game on November 7, snapping BYU's winning streak in the series. The matchup carried College Football Playoff implications and could determine the Big 12 Championship Game participant.
Dampier Leads Utah with Four Total Touchdowns
Quarterback Devon Dampier accounted for 177 passing yards, 87 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns. He scored on the ground and through the air in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead, then added a 29-yard catch on a fourth-down trick play in the third quarter and a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown to seal the win.
BYU's Pass Rush Dominates First Half
BYU's defensive front, led by Cade Uluave (one sack, one tackle for loss) and Bodie Schoonover (two TFLs, one sack), held Utah to 35 yards on 23 first-half plays after allowing 138 yards on the opening seven plays. The pressure forced a strip-sack and multiple errant throws from Dampier.
Penalties Cost BYU Critical Opportunities
BYU committed 11 penalties for 80 yards, including a delay of game on fourth-and-inches that turned a potential touchdown into a field goal, an illegal formation that wiped out a 25-yard gain, and consecutive false starts that stalled a drive. The Cougars entered the game averaging 5.6 penalties per game.
Gasker Shines for BYU, Bachmeier Struggles with Turnovers
Freshman wide receiver Legend Gasker, a Utah native, posted a season-high receiving yardage total highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown catch. Meanwhile, quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for 272 yards but tossed four interceptions, three of which cost BYU at least 10 points, including a red-zone pick by linebacker Trey Reynolds and a final-play interception in the end zone.
Utah Receivers Drop Key Passes, Chenault Jr. Makes Game-Saving Interception
Utah's receivers dropped several catchable passes, including a would-be touchdown by Creed Whittemore. Late in the first half, cornerback James Chenault Jr. intercepted a pass in the end zone after a Dampier fumble gave BYU the ball inside the red zone, preserving a six-point halftime margin.
