Instant takeaways from No. 15 BYU’s key Big 12 victory over Arizona
Sep 12, 2026, 5:17 PM | Updated: 5:19 pm
PROVO – BYU football kicked off Big 12 play with a key victory over the Arizona Wildcats.
It was a tough, physical football game as expected, but BYU came out on top with a 28-17 victory, improving BYU to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play.
Final: (15) BYU 28, Arizona 17
Sixth consecutive win over Arizona for BYU.
Cougars improve to 2-0, 1-0 in Big 12 play this season. pic.twitter.com/wuWGFd06Kr
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 12, 2026
Fourth-down overturn was the right call
In the fourth quarter, Arizona had the ball in BYU territory on 3rd & 9, down 21-17. When Arizona QB Noah Fifita completed a pass for five yards to set up a 4th & 4, you knew the Wildcats were setting up a fourth and manageable.
Noah Fifita on fourth down completed a pass to Rodney Gallagher III that, at first glance, looked to be short. However, the spot and a chain measurement led Arizona to pick up the first down.
Even FOX rules official Mike Pereira said he felt Gallagher was short of the yard to the gain. Officials reviewed the spot, rightfully overturned the first down, and ruled it a turnover on downs.
A huge momentum shift that changed the entire complexion of the game.
BYU defensive backs Tommy Prassas and Cannon DeVries made a big play to come up with the tackle to prevent the first down.
The legend grows for BYU football freshman Legend Glasker
Two plays after the fourth-down stop, freshman Legend Glasker, who had experienced a relatively quiet game due to all of the attention Arizona’s aggressive defense was throwing at him, made his presence felt in Big 12 play.
Bear Bachmeier's deep ball to Legend Glasker for 61 yards. What a play. Big time. pic.twitter.com/FVJvUqDAZS
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 12, 2026
Bear Bachmeier took a deep shot down the field, and the speed from Glasker was able to get behind the Arizona defense for a 61-yard reception. A huge play that only adds to the immediate star power the former Lehi High star has gained since last week’s three-touchdown performance in his BYU debut.
To that point in the game, Glasker only had two receptions. But when his number was called in the clutch, he stepped up. Something very few outside of the BYU program expected from the receiver unit weeks ago.
Breakout performance for Kyler Kasper
The Arizona native found the end zone for the first time in his collegiate career on Saturday. A former Oregon Duck who dealt with multiple foot injuries, he was a key target for Bear Bachmeier and the BYU offense, finding the 6-foot-6 receiver twice.
Coming out of fall camp, Kasper said he “felt better than ever” in his collegiate career from a health perspective, and said that this receiver unit would be one of the best in the Big 12. Over two weeks, they’ve lived up to his lofty expectations.
Two of the Big 12’s best teams squared off
Coming out of this game, it’s hard not to acknowledge that both teams played at a high level and looked like squads that could reach the Big 12 Championship Game.
Even FOX analyst and former Boise State/Washington head coach Chris Petersen said in the halftime break that it was a “sneaky huge game” in the league title race.
BYU came away with its sixth consecutive victory over Arizona on Saturday, but that shouldn’t derail Arizona’s season. But will there be a letdown? They experienced that last year after the BYU loss, falling at Houston.
They had been planning for this game since 48 hours after the 2025 season concluded. To come out on the losing end again has to be a big blow for Arizona. If they respond quickly, they could have a chance to face BYU again in Arlington if both teams keep stacking wins.
Penalties were everywhere in the second half
Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales hoped officials would keep flags in their pockets, allowing the teams to “kill each other.” Well, the refs didn’t get that message, as flags were flying everywhere in the second half.
During one drive with BYU backed up against its own end zone, four consecutive flags were thrown, with BYU called on three of them.
BYU offensive tackle Andrew Gentry had a difficult day, with penalties accounting for three flags in the game.
With 12 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Tommy Prassas was called for a pass interference call that was a questionable flag. Then moments later, Arizona’s Matthew Lado was called for a false start as BYU’s fans were roaring on second down.
Together, both teams committed 14 penalties in the game.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
