The BYU-Utah rivalry game is always a classic and Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium did not disappoint.
In typical Holy War fashion, the contest came down to the final play of the game as BYU kicker Will Ferrin stepped up and drilled a game-winning 44-yard field goal to give No. 9 BYU an incredible 22-21 come-from-behind victory in front of a record crowd of 54,383.
The win kept BYU’s undefeated season alive at 9-0 and give the Cougars a 62% chance of making the College Football Playoff. The victory also gave BYU it’s first two-game rivalry winning streak since the 2006-07 seasons.
To add the icing on the cake, the Cougars ended the losing streak at Rice-Eccles Stadium — a place where the team hasn’t won since 2006. There have been a number of last-second plays that could have gone either way, as the last four games at Rice-Eccles have been decided by an average of three points.
Holy War: Why I Painted A BYU-Utah Football Field In My Backyard
After BYU took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, Utah rolled off three consecutive touchdowns to take a commanding 21-10 lead at the half. BYU’s only touchdown in the first half came on Keelan Marion’s 96-yard kickoff return. While BYU would get the ball to start the second half, with the way Utah was playing on both sides of the ball, it appeared the Utes would keep the home streak going against the Cougars.
But don’t tell that to BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff who thrives when the game is on the line. The junior led BYU on the final drive of the night with the Cougars starting on their own 9-yard line. With only one timeout, Retzlaff led an 11-play and 65-yard drive to Utah’s 26-yard line to set up the game-winning field goal attempt.
This has taken place many times before at Rice-Eccles with BYU losing on a number of last-second field goal attempts. But this year and this team is different as they continue to find ways to win.
Here are all the reactions to BYU’s win over Utah:
Some wins are just a little bit sweeter. pic.twitter.com/h74vjfWGed
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 10, 2024
Statement number 9 for No. 9 😏#Big12FB | @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/mXKz2L5xGN
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 10, 2024
BYU WITH A LATE COMEBACK AGAINST UTAH TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED 🔥‼️ pic.twitter.com/6HuLA3eNOx
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 10, 2024
BYU is going to beat Utah in honestly one of the weirdest games I've ever seen.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 10, 2024
Jake Retzlaff quickly becoming an all-time BYU hero.
First QB to win at Utah since 2006, in miraculous fashion, to keep the Cougars undefeated.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 10, 2024
I knew it would come down to a FG. Cougs win and stay undefeated.
What a Holy War! #BYU #Utah #GoCougs #GoUtes #CFB #Big12FB https://t.co/jIOzmghyhr
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) November 10, 2024
The biggest crowd in Utah history saw a BYU win.
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) November 10, 2024
BYU wins the inaugural 'Cold War' rivalry.
Cougs lead the all-time series 1-0. #BYU #Utah #GoCougs #GoUtes #CFB #Big12FB https://t.co/MDwVDddips
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) November 10, 2024
BYU wins the 1st annual "Cold War"
— Kung Fu Kevy (@DJ_Kevy_Kev) November 10, 2024
BYU's magical season continues on Will Ferrin's 44-yard field goal in the final seconds.
The No. 9 Cougars remain undefeated with a wild 22-21 comeback victory at Utah in the Holy War.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 10, 2024
BYU won both of these games.
BYU is undefeated. pic.twitter.com/RoEwheTeTo
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) November 10, 2024
Don’t scare me like that 😭
— malik moore (@malik9moore) November 10, 2024
The final four undefeated teams are:
Oregon
BYU
Indiana
Army— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 10, 2024
wow…what an ending @BYUfootball
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) November 10, 2024
Holy War did not disappoint. Unbelievable game-winning drive by BYU to stay undefeated. Still kinda shocked by the holding call on 4th down!
— Max Olson (@max_olson) November 10, 2024
Still a little magic left
BYU
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) November 10, 2024
Incredible addition to the #HolyWar tonight. Really unlucky for BYU. They came so close to getting one of those losses the college football selection committee loves so much.
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) November 10, 2024
NEVER IN DOUBT! My man @wtferrin is a BYU legend!
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) November 10, 2024
Much Love! You did it!
Joey’s reaction coming in the morning!#JoeyStrong
— Brett Mecham (@brett_mecham) November 10, 2024
BYU winning field goal reaction #BYUFootball #byucougars #GoCougs #BYUvUtah pic.twitter.com/aVCH842oqt
— Plube (@Plube11) November 10, 2024
WILL FERRIN IS MY GOAT 🐐
— Jake Oldroyd (@JakeOldroyd39) November 10, 2024
I asked Will on the play previous where he wanted the ball. He said with a big smile “it doesn’t matter where it is it’s going in.” ICE IN THE VEINS! #GoCougs https://t.co/nssfx5Omwk
— coachkellypoppinga (@Coach_Popp) November 10, 2024
Recap of the Game…..
BYU defense 2nd half deserves a game ball!! Stepped up! Love to see it!
Chase, Marion and JoJo deserve game balls at WR!!!!
Congrats to Brigham 9-0 beating Boootahhh @ Bootahhhh!! Love it!
Lots to improve but let’s take a sec to just enjoy this win…
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) November 10, 2024
Knoxville cougs still up late too! pic.twitter.com/rDctZFrtzb
— Ryan Skinner (@drskinner81) November 10, 2024
I repeat……..We’re finneeeeeee!!!!! #BYUvUtah #riseandshout
— Austin Collie (@AKCollie_17) November 10, 2024
TOLD YA!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉 #magichappens
— Austin Collie (@AKCollie_17) November 10, 2024
The best part about this win is the fact that Utah thought they won at one point 😂😂😂😂
Go BYU!!!
Welcome to the Big12 little brothers!!
— Kyle Collinsworth (@collinsworth55) November 10, 2024
This team has been fun to watch. They have made big time plays in the clutch and have come back agsinst all the odds. What a win!!! #BYU
— Jordan Leslie (@Jles9) November 10, 2024
I love these boys!!! 🤙🏾 Super proud of them! #GoCougs
— Harvey Unga (@unga45) November 10, 2024
🤙🏾 #BYUFootball
— Ezekiel Ansah (@Ziggy_Ansah) November 10, 2024
Felt utterly dejected for 59.5 minutes of that game. VICTORY BABYYYY!!!! SO PUMPED!!!
— Jonny Harline (@JonnyH13) November 10, 2024
Dubs pic.twitter.com/A8WiWjZtZp
— Harvey Langi (@LANGI21) November 10, 2024
Will Ferrin is a stone cold killer! #BYUFootball
— Dylan Collie (@23Collie) November 10, 2024
RETIRE THE JERSEY! BUILD THE STATUE! No one should EVER wear #44 ever again! #GoCougs
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) November 10, 2024
Cardiac Cougs! https://t.co/lH9iAb8lCJ
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) November 10, 2024
Ron McBride is a class act pic.twitter.com/TfUnVGOwjx
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) November 10, 2024
3 IS COMING
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) November 10, 2024
well, that was another chapter of the best rivalry in college football. Wow. Just. Wow.
— Brandon Gurney (@BrandonCGurney) November 10, 2024
WHY WOULD EVER WANT THIS GAME TO DIE?
— Greg Welch (@ArtDirectorBYU) November 10, 2024
That was one of the best college football games I’ve ever watched. The rivalry, the environment, the finish.
Instant classic. This is Big12 Football.
— Barstool Big12 (@BarstoolBig12) November 10, 2024
The second upside down U we've seen today! pic.twitter.com/PdYvpQUjNx
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 10, 2024
Utah fans rn pic.twitter.com/utyAP2JATy
— Shane 🌹 (@Shane00) November 10, 2024
This is wild, man. The Holy War found a way to exceed my expectations. https://t.co/qfmPJnMqIp
— John Kurtz (@jlkurtz) November 10, 2024
You can't say this.
I'm all about standing up for your team from the podium. Need that fire.
But to blame the conference and say you don't want to be in it?
Dude. The B1G never happened. If we weren't in the big 12 we'd be in the Pac or the MW. https://t.co/kqxzLBkaVv— Ivan (@UteFanIvan) November 10, 2024
The refs handed Utah 7 points with the BS facemask and BS roughing the passer call in 2nd quarter so I have a hard time feeling bad for a 50/50 penalty that didn’t go Utah’s way on BYU’s own 9 yard line.
Officiating sucked for both sides. Great game regardless.
— Ryker Mathews (@ryker_mathews) November 10, 2024
What a football game. The Holy War simply never disappoints in the entertainment department.
— Porter Larsen (@Larsen_ESPN) November 10, 2024
I'm 2,200 miles away from Salt Lake City, and I think even *I* have lost my hearing during this game.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 10, 2024
Late night games are bad because even West Coast folks can't even watch the ending.
At least we'll know why Wilner leaves BYU off his Top 25 ballot tomorrow 😂 pic.twitter.com/1rROiDqCAZ
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) November 10, 2024
That’s what the rivalry is all about!!!! Man, I love this team from down south. On to the next!!!! #GoCougs 🤙🏽
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) November 10, 2024
sucks to be ute pic.twitter.com/K2CLkvXbFV
— jayhawk lasso (@jaylassoku) November 10, 2024
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) November 10, 2024
Red on Tuesday and Blue on Saturday! 😎
What a week!! 😘
— Jackson Emery (@jacksonemery04) November 10, 2024
Let’s go!!!!!!!!!!!!@BYUfootball! Way to win it on the road!!!!
— Devin Mahina (@DMahina84) November 10, 2024
