Social media reacts to Utah football’s rivalry win over BYU

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah football’s rivalry breakthrough had the college football world watching.

The No. 3 Utes rallied past No. 9 BYU 28-20 Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, improving to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in Big 12 play. Devon Dampier accounted for four touchdowns, and Utah’s defense intercepted four passes while shutting out the Cougars after halftime.

Morgan Scalley’s first rivalry victory as head coach delivered plenty to discuss, from Dampier’s playmaking to Utah’s playoff potential and the celebration that followed.

Here’s how national media members and college football accounts reacted throughout the game and after Utah’s victory.

Social media reacts to Utah football’s win over rival BYU

Former Ute Logan Fano appreciated the effort from the Utes today.

WE’VE BEEN AVENGED! I LOVE THIS TEAM!! 🤣🤣
GO UTES!!!!!!! https://t.co/DJdm44buQV

— Logan Fano (@LoganFano) November 7, 2026

Former Utes Demari Simpkins and Terrell Burgess celebrating the W.

W❗️🔴 #GoUtes https://t.co/hKEvhOfiIP

— Demari Simpkins 🧎🏾‍♂️ (@Demari_S3) November 8, 2026

Ben Portnoy sees a potential No. 1 ranking for the Utes.

Utah has a legitimate case to be No. 1 in the country after winning the Holiest of Holy Wars.

The other kicker? That the Utes have undoubtedly won the Kyle Whittingham divorce.

https://t.co/vAt3tlK9MO

— Ben Portnoy (@bportnoy15) November 7, 2026

The College Football Playoff’s official account highlighted the Utes keeping their unbeaten season intact.

THE UTES STAY UNBEATEN ‼️

#CFP x @Utah_Football https://t.co/ielEzzu9yE

— CFP (@CFBPlayoff) November 7, 2026

Robert Griffin III turned his attention to what Utah’s continued success could mean for the Big 12’s playoff representation.

The Big 12 needs Utah to have an undefeated regular season to get 2 teams into the CFP.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) November 7, 2026

Shehan Jeyarajah pointed to Dampier’s performance as the difference in the quarterback matchup.

BYU beat Notre Dame primarily because Bear Bachmeier outplayed CJ Carr

BYU’s going to lose to Utah primarily because Devon Dampier outplayed Bear Bachmeier

— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) November 7, 2026

Dampier also caught SportsCenter’s attention with his fourth-down reception on a pass from Creed Whittemore.

Devon Dampier, are you serious?!

What a catch from the QB 😱 https://t.co/rXEEZFR9qw

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 7, 2026

Bussin’ With The Boys appreciated the way Wayshawn Parker was protecting his QB.

Every quarterback needs a guy like Wayshawn Parker on their blind side https://t.co/WJg9fUUdy8

— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) November 7, 2026

The game’s early swings prompted Josh Pate to imagine the experience for a first-time college football viewer.

Someone is watching their first CFB game today

And it’s BYU-Utah

And they’ve felt every emotion known to man in the first hour

— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) November 7, 2026

Tom Fornelli with an incredible history lesson from the game.

Worst decision in a Holy War since Barbarossa went for a swim in the Saleph River. https://t.co/DO9sQ3gRMO

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) November 7, 2026

Will Compton kept his reaction brief.

UTAH!!!

— Will Compton (@_willcompton) November 7, 2026

ESPN College Football shared the scene as Utah fans celebrated at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

A sea of red at Rice–Eccles Stadium 🔴 https://t.co/ZsOvv2Yrge

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 7, 2026

The Utes put an end to #ProvoDave.

RIP #provodave Cougs are effectively eliminated

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) November 7, 2026

Yahoo’s Pat Forde can’t believe Morgan Scalley’s first year as head coach.

Utah picks off Bear Bachmaier four times, wins the Holy War, stays undefeated. Morgan Scalley debut season has been unreal.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 7, 2026

Geoff Schwartz seeing only good things for Utah.

BYU with zero second half points and will lose to Utah. Utah will be a Big 12 playoff team. They won the divorce with Whit

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 7, 2026

On3’s J.D. Pickell is a big fan of the Utes.

With that dude at QB, I wouldn’t want to play Utah in the playoff. https://t.co/j5PczwlByM

— J.D. PicKell (@jdpickell) November 7, 2026

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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