Colorado State issues apology for derogatory chants aimed at BYU
Sep 20, 2026, 2:56 AM
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — For the second consecutive year that BYU has visited the Centennial State, it has resulted in an apology.
Last year, the University of Colorado apologized for derogatory chants toward BYU and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fast forward to Saturday: Colorado State University is apologizing for chants that occurred in its stadium.
Colorado State University apologizes for derogatory chants
Colorado State fans in the pregame before Saturday’s game between CSU and No. 11 BYU were heard chanting “F— the Mormons.”
Colorado State University has issued an apology to BYU for derogatory chants. pic.twitter.com/9LDfxdf5Wg
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 20, 2026
Before the end of the game, Colorado State University issued a statement to all members of the media in the press box at Canvas Stadium regarding the chants.
“Colorado State University apologizes to BYU, its student-athletes and fans, and to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the chant directed at them during Saturday’s game.
“Mocking anyone’s faith has no place at CSU. It runs counter to our community’s values and to who we are. BYU’s players, coaches, and fans deserved better. We are addressing this with our students.”
Saturday marked the first meeting between BYU and Colorado State in 16 years. The two programs were conference rivals in the old WAC and Mountain West Conference.
Colorado State joins Colorado and Cincinnati from last football season as institutions that yelled similar derogatory chants towards BYU.
Kalani Sitake was asked in the postgame what can be done to prevent the chants in the future
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake was asked in the postgame what can be done to stop these types of chants from happening in the future.
“Listen, everyone’s human. I’m not going to dwell on that. I know amazing people that are Colorado State fans and alumni, and I’m just going to focus on the beautiful people that are positive,” Sitake said. “You can’t judge the entire fan base on a few. That’s what we’re going to be focused on. The environment here was awesome, and yeah, the fans are excited about their team. So, other than that, I’m not too worried about it.”
BYU and Colorado State are scheduled to face each other again in three seasons when the Rams come to Provo in 2029 to conclude the home-and-home series.
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.
