3 takeaways from No. 15 BYU’s rivalry win over No. 23 Utah

Three has come.

BYU earned its third consecutive rivalry win over Utah Saturday night in Provo, coming alive late to remain unbeaten and hand the Utes their second loss of the season.

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3 takeaways

BYU stepped up in the fourth quarter. After surrendering a touchdown with just over 14 minutes left to play to give Utah the lead, the Cougars put their shoulder to the wheel over the next 11 minutes to pry the game back into their grasp.

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Here’s how it went down:

• Parker Kingston ran for a touchdown to put the Cougars ahead for good.

• Tanner Wall intercepted Devon Dampier to thwart a Utah rally.
• Bear Bachmeier found the end zone on a 3rd and long to add insurance for BYU.

• Jack Kelly sacked Dampier on fourth down to give the Cougars the ball back.

Utah added a late touchdown to create some final drama, but a failed onside kick ended any hopes of a miracle finish for the Utes.

When the stakes were highest and plays needed to be made, the Cougars made it happen, just like they have all season long.

BYU’s safeties were everywhere. The Cougar defense has been carried by its linebackers throughout 2025, but safeties Tanner Wall and Faletau Satuala played hero on Saturday night.

Satuala led the team with 12 tackles — eight solo — while adding a forced fumble, pass breakup and tackle for loss.

Wall had 10 tackles — seven solo — and intercepted Dampier in the fourth quarter for the defensive play of the night.

BYU’s defense was largely excellent in making Dampier’s life difficult, and Satuala and Wall were major pieces to such an operation.

Another safety, Talan Alfrey, made a critical play on special teams to recover a muffed Utah punt and regain possession for the Cougars.

The Cougars made history. For the first time since the Ty Detmer era, BYU has defeated Utah in three straight matchups.

Not since 1989-92 had the Cougars claimed rivalry superiority over the Utes for three years or more.

Sitake’s squad accomplished such a feat in 2025 by forcing two Utah turnovers, holding the Utes to a 1 of 5 mark on fourth down, winning the discipline battle with fewer penalties, and going 4 for 4 on red zone trips.

And thus, BYU moves to 7-0 on the year as the only unbeaten squad remaining in the Big 12.