BYU Football Progress Report: Utah Edition

PROVO, Utah – No. 15 BYU scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to defeat No. 23 Utah 24-21 on Saturday night.

BYU Football Progress Report: Utah Edition

In classic BYU-Utah fashion, this year’s edition of the rivalry was a back-and-forth battle that ended with the Cougars’ third straight win over the Utes.

BYU trailed for just 2:56 of game time and extended its win streak to 19 games when scoring first.

Offense: A-

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin delivered standout performances once again.

Bachmeier’s passing numbers didn’t jump off the page, but he completed 13 of 22 attempts for 166 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. The score came on a 17-yard strike to Chase Roberts, just one play after Roberts hauled in a 26-yard pass. The touchdown throw featured NFL-level velocity and placement.

Martin was a force on the ground, carrying the ball a career-high 26 times for 122 yards. He didn’t break a long run—his longest of the night went for 17 yards—but his consistent success helped open up the passing game and created opportunities for quarterback draws.

Bachmeier’s effectiveness as a runner sort of reminds me of Taysom Hill. On third-and-long situations, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has often turned to quarterback draws, and Bachmeier has responded by running through tackles to extend drives. One standout play came on a 16-yard run on 3rd-and-17 against Colorado that set up a fourth-down conversion and led to the game-winning touchdown.

Against Utah, with BYU leading 17-14 in the fourth quarter and facing 3rd-and-11 from the Utes’ 22-yard line, Bachmeier’s number was called again. He eluded defenders and dragged multiple tacklers nearly 10 yards into the end zone to essentially seal the win for the Cougars.

Perhaps most impressively, he didn’t put the ball in harm’s way. For the third straight meeting with Utah, BYU did not commit a turnover.

Given the opponent and the intensity of the rivalry atmosphere, an A-minus feels appropriate. There’s room for improvement, but the offense did what it needed to do to earn another win.

Defense: A-

Utah moved the ball more effectively than BYU fans might have hoped, but when the defense needed stops, it delivered.

All offseason and through six games, Utah’s offensive line had been touted as one of the best in the country. With two projected first-round NFL Draft picks at tackle and a mobile quarterback, the Utes entered the night ranked No. 8 nationally in fourth-down conversion percentage (80%) and No. 3 in red zone touchdown percentage, scoring touchdowns on 22 of 25 red zone trips. But Jay Hill’s defense shut down quarterback Devon Dampier and the Utah offense when it mattered most. The Utes went just 1-for-5 on fourth down and 2-for-4 in the red zone. Utah also ranked second in the Big 12 in sacks allowed per game (0.50) and first in the Big 12 in tackles for loss allowed per game (3.17). BYU was able to sack Dampier three times and had eight tackles for loss.

Star linebacker Jack Kelly returned after missing two weeks with a shoulder injury and played a key role in the win. He sacked Dampier late in the fourth quarter, and Utah State transfer Max Alford added his first sack of the season.

In absence of Raider Damuni, safety Faletau Satuala led the team with 12 tackles, adding a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Tanner Wall recorded 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a critical interception as Utah looked to extend a three-point lead.

The box score might not scream dominance, but because BYU’s defense made stops in game-defining moments and created a key fourth-quarter turnover, an A-minus grade feels earned.

Special Teams: A

BYU allowed its first punt return for positive yardage this season on Saturday night, but it proved inconsequential as Utah turned the ball over on downs on the ensuing possession. Later in the half, Talan Alfrey recovered a muffed punt at the Utah 40, setting up a 26-yard field goal by Will Ferrin just before the break.

Simply put, the special teams were excellent. It’s easy to take for granted a reliable field goal kicker and punt returner who consistently field the ball cleanly.

Overall: A-

Sure, it wasn’t a perfect game. There were moments that could’ve made for a smoother night and a less stressful finish. But BYU was a late touchdown away from securing its first double-digit win over Utah since 1996.

The real test now is how the Cougars respond. In postgame comments, head coach Kalani Sitake and wide receiver Chase Roberts both emphasized the importance of following an emotional win with another strong performance.

Last season, BYU dropped a game to Kansas in Provo—a loss that proved costly. Had the Cougars won, they would’ve finished 11-1, earning a rematch with Arizona State in Arlington and potentially securing a College Football Playoff berth as either an automatic qualifier or an at-large selection.

This time around, BYU will look to avoid a similar misstep when it faces Iowa State in Ames. The Cyclones are coming off a bye week and consecutive losses to Cincinnati and Colorado. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. MDT, with national coverage on FOX. The radio broadcast will air on 102.7 FM/1160 AM and on the KSL NewsRadio app.

Nate Slack is an Executive Producer for Cougar Sports Saturday (Noon–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.