Ranking BYU Football’s Five Biggest Wins In Holy War Rivalry
Oct 15, 2025, 6:54 PM
PROVO, Utah – The Holy War between BYU football and the Utah Utes has long been one of the best rivalry matchups in college football.
For more than a century, the Cougars have gone toe-to-toe with the Utes, generating enough history to fill volumes. Today, we take a look at five of BYU’s best wins in Holy War history before the No. 15 Cougars host No. 23 Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, October 18.
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Saturday night’s game marks the 97th matchup between the two teams. The Cougars trail the all-time series 33-59-4, but have won two straight against the Utes.
BYU has not won three games in a row against Utah since 1989-1992.
2006 – BYU 33, Utah 31
One of the most unforgettable endings in series history came when John Beck found Johnny Harline in the end zone, completing a come-from-behind win over the Utes in Salt Lake City.
BYU grabbed a 14-0 first-half lead but couldn’t sustain the momentum. Utah scored 24 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to take a ten-point lead into the final 15 minutes.
Harline’s second TD of the day cut the deficit to 24-20 early in the period. Minutes later, Daniel Coats scored to give the Cougars a 27-24 lead. Utah responded, taking a 31-27 lead when Brett Ratliff found Brent Casteel for a 19-yard TD with 1:19 left.
Beck to Harline 2006. https://t.co/nlaVnDUu2a pic.twitter.com/PYhYTEpeVe
— Garrit Jacobson (@gjacobson) March 28, 2024
BYU had one final possession to answer.
With the clock hitting zero after the final snap, Beck had loads of time to throw. After rolling to his left, Beck moved back to his right before firing a pass across his body to a wide-open Harline for the game-winning 11-yard touchdown.
The Cougars closed the year with an 11-2 record and were 16th in the final AP Top 25.
2021 – BYU 26, Utah 17
No. 21 Utah went into Provo following a 2020 season where the two programs didn’t meet.
The Cougar defense came up big, forcing two turnovers and limiting the Utes to one scoring possession in the opening 30 minutes.
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Jaren Hall didn’t put up huge passing numbers, but managed to throw three touchdown passes to three different receivers. Samson Nacua, Neil Pau’u, and Gunner Romney each caught TD passes for BYU.
RB Tyler Allgeier carried the ball 27 times for 102 yards, while Hall added 92 yards on the ground.
BYU ended the year 10-3 and was ranked 19th in the final AP Top 25.
2007 – BYU 17, Utah 10
Field goals accounted for the first 12 points of the night, with the Cougars taking a 9-3 fourth-quarter lead when Mitch Payne hit a 35-yard field goal.
Utah looked to have stolen the win when Darrell Mack capped a 15-play, 69-yard drive with a one-yard scoring run and 1:34 left on the clock. The Cougars weren’t finished, mounting their first TD drive of the night in response.
Max Hall shares his story on overcoming addiction and his experience on the 2007 BYU vs Utah game
Make sure to listen to it wherever you find your podcasts!! pic.twitter.com/i30zLGWnag
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) February 12, 2025
BYU needed 56 seconds to drive 80 yards for the game-winning TD. QB Max Hall connected with Austin Collie for 49 yards, then two 15-yard flags against the Utes gave the Cougars the opening they needed. Harvey Unga sent BYU fans home happy when he scored from 11 yards out. A two-point conversion gave BYU the seven-point win.
BYU finished with an 11-2 record and was ranked 14th in the final AP Top 25.
1989 -BYU 70, 31
The Cougars became the first team to top the 60-point plateau in a Holy War matchup, rolling up a series high 70 points in a massive win over the Utes. BYU led 49-0 in the second quarter before the Utes scored their first points.
Running back Stacey Corley carried 14 times for 165 yards and one score. Fred Whittingham added three rushing touchdowns. BYU’s Ty Detmer completed 18-of-22 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns.
BYU ended the year 10-3 and 22nd in the final AP Top 25.
1977 – BYU 38, Utah 8
BYU QB Marc Wilson set the series’ passing yardage record, throwing for 571 yards and five touchdowns in the blowout win.
Wide receivers Mike Chronister (176 yards, TD) and Tod Thompson (132 yards, TD) topped the 100-yard mark. John VanDerWouden caught six passes, including two touchdowns.
Brigham Young finished the season 9-2 and was ranked 20th in the final AP Top 25.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
