Liberty Uniform For BYU Game Reminds People Of Utah Utes
Oct 21, 2022, 3:05 PM | Updated: Nov 7, 2022, 2:24 pm
The uniforms in the BYU/Liberty game will remind some of the Utah Utes. (Maddie Mortensen, BYU Photo)
(Maddie Mortensen, BYU Photo)
SALT LAKE CITY – BYU football is gearing up for a game against an opponent in Liberty that is pulling out all the stops.
Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze already deemed this matchup the biggest football game in the history of the Flames. Hosting BYU fulfills a vision for Liberty that dates back to when Jerry Falwell Sr. founded the university in 1971. He wanted Liberty to become what BYU is to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for evangelicals.
So naturally, you might look for any advantage you can get.
Did Liberty turn to the Utah Utes, a program that has defeated BYU in nine of their last ten meetings with the Cougars, for inspiration?
Well, based on their uniform combination for the BYU game. It had some people on social media thinking that was the case.
This week on #FIRE pic.twitter.com/BVWpyHk237
— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 20, 2022
Liberty is wearing a white helmet, and red uniform, with white pants against BYU.
At first glance, it looks like a combination the Utes have worn in the past—especially the stripes on the sleeves.
BYU taking on a Liberty team that has uniforms similar to Utah
It’s an interesting pick for Liberty, considering the Flames have a navy blue helmet as well to pick from in their uniform identity.
BYUtv’s Hema Heimuli brought the comparison into focus.
Yo… are we in trouble this weekend? https://t.co/vYNAXpnaH4 pic.twitter.com/67DE59BX31
— Hemā Heimuli Jr. (@x_hems) October 20, 2022
The reactions started to then flow in on social media to the similarities.
Ummmmmmm, hahahahahaha. Coincidence or nah? https://t.co/NEkvkIZH6I
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) October 21, 2022
— UNOFFICIAL GIF KING 🙂 🇺🇦 (@BoydCoy32) October 20, 2022
Hey @UtesEquipment Liberty is straight up stealing your hardwork.
— Skye 🇺🇲🇺🇦 (@ElonMUSS) October 20, 2022
Quarterback Charlie Brewer & Running Back TJ Green look to lead the Liberty Utes to victory against the BYU Cougars this weekend. https://t.co/bdfJFaiN4x
— 2️⃣2️⃣ThiccBoi7 Fan Club President2️⃣2️⃣ (@thetyrusaurus) October 21, 2022
Liberty by a million https://t.co/skopP1WPJC
— Boaty McBoatRacedOregon (@SigmaUte) October 21, 2022
BYU may not play Utah this season, but they do play a team who really, really looks like Utah https://t.co/IBwCGdlh9W
— Calvy J (@CJRealHoops1) October 20, 2022
Who among you will photoshop a rose onto this helmet? https://t.co/baVeI7i4Gx
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) October 20, 2022
What makes this even more fun is that Liberty has a pair of former Utah players on their roster. One of which is former QB Charlie Brewer. Brewer is working his back from a hand injury, and Liberty coach Hugh Freeze is “hopeful” Brewer will play on Saturday afternoon.
The other player is former Utah running back T.J. Green, who is in his final year of collegiate eligibility.
In case you were wondering, which you probably weren’t, BYU is 7-6 in the Kalani Sitake era against teams in red uniforms. They’ve won their last three games against teams in red tops. That was against Houston and Western Kentucky in 2020, then Utah in 2021.
BYU will be wearing a traditional look. The Cougars are wearing a white uniform with royal blue pants. An iconic look that BYU donned consistently in the 80s and 90s.
this week's threads. pic.twitter.com/IjESr3vVzY
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 17, 2022
BYU vs. Liberty
Location: Williams Stadium (Lynchburg, Virginia)
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPNU
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM – Extended pregame begins at 11 a.m.)
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
