Cosmo the Cougar jumps over, from left, Mark Ingram II, Kyle Van Noy, Jamaal Williams and Matt Leinart during the Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff" show at Brigham Young University in Provo, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Cosmo the Cougar jumps over, from left, Mark Ingram II, Kyle Van Noy, Jamaal Williams and Matt Leinart during the Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff" show at Brigham Young University in Provo, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Jackson Payne
By Jackson Payne
Jackson has been writing about sports for the Deseret News since 2023.

What a morning in Cougar country.

Hours before No. 15 BYU hosts No. 23 Utah in arguably the most anticipated rivalry matchup between the two teams in years, Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show broadcasted live outside of LaVell Edwards Stadium to show the Provo party to the entire country.

Students camped out beforehand and swarmed the “Big Noon” set at 6:30 a.m. A sea of blue — with some red sprinkled in — made some crazy morning noise. There were plenty of cheers, boos and everything in between.

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Here’s a look at everything that went down.

Videos inside ‘Big Noon Kickoff’

Signs of the times

Famous faces

Portnoy in Provo

Photos from “Big Noon Kickoff”

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Cosmo the Cougar hypes up the crowd during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, gets a special delivery from Swig during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Rob Stone of “Big Noon Kickoff” speaks during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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The sun peeks over the hills during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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From left, Carson Millan, Kaleb King and Tyler Nelson react to the camera during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Commentators, from left, Rob Stone, Brady Quinn, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer, Dave Portnoy and Chris Fallica present Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Young fans look on from the railing during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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For Sports analysts Tom Rinaldi, left, and Urban Meyer talk during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fox sports analyst and former Utah head coach Urban Meyer holds up a “U” with his fingers during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans hold up signs during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU cheerleaders perform during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A mattress lays in the parking lot near LaVell Edwards Stadium where students camped out for Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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People crowd into the set of Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Tom Rinaldi, Fox Sports analyst, speaks during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, gets a special delivery from Swig during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A fan holds up an sign making fun of former Utah head coach and Fox Sports analyst Urban Meyer during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fox Sports analyst Mark Ingram II looks on during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A young fan holds up an upside-down U with his fingers during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, reacts during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fox Sports analyst Matt Leinart looks on during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Former BYU running back Jamaal Williams lets out a yell during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Former BYU running back Jamaal Williams lets out a yell during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fox Sports wagering expert Chris Fallica, left, speaks with Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fox Sports analyst Robert Griffin III looks on during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fox Sports analyst Robert Griffin III, left, speaks with fellow analyst Matt Leinart during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fox Sports analyst Brady Quinn catches a signed football during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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The BYU Fire Dancers perform during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kalani Sitake hypes up the crowd during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans react as fire dancers perform during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, looks on after switching his BYU hat for a Utah one after picking Utah to win the game during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A fan sits in a camp chair in the area students camped out for Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show as he waits for his friends to bring him his crutches after the show at Brigham Young University in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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