Bear Bachmeier had 229 yards of offense while throwing for a touchdown and running for another score to rally No. 15 BYU to a 24-21 victory over No. 23 Utah on Saturday night.

BYU is now 8-0 on the season, and with freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier finding his groove at the perfect time, the Cougars are just that much closer to reaching a conference championship game for the first time since 1998.

And that’s pretty much what Kalani Sitake, in so many words, told his players after they beat Utah on Saturday night. Straight into the grinning teeth of victory — yeah, he wanted them to enjoy the moment — and, yet, he reminded them of what happened to the Cougars last season after they beat the Utes.

The Utes went 5 of 12 on third down, and more concerningly, finished with 12 penalties for 77 yards. Utah had six penalties for 29 yards in the first half, while BYU didn’t have any penalties in the first 30 minutes. The Cougars ended with five penalties for 42 yards.

On Saturday night, no. 15 BYU took down rival and no. 23 Utah 24-21. The Utes outgained the Cougars 470-368, but it was key plays in key moments that propelled

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) celebrates a turnover as BYU hosts Utah, NCAA football at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Provo • The BYU Cougars beat the Utah Utes, 24-21, on Saturday night. It was the Cougars’ third straight rivalry game win.

UNC basketball lost 78-76 to No. 8 BYU in a preseason exhibition game on Friday, Oct. 24, in Salt Lake City.

The Big 12 did the Cougars zero favors with the back end of the schedule and, in particular, with this week’s assignment: They hit the road to face one of the best teams in the conference, Iowa State, which is coming off a bye.

Utah kicker Dillon Curtis issued an apology Wednesday for continuing to warm up during a pregame prayer at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday.