No. 15 BYU Grabs Halftime Lead, Capitalizes On Utah Turnover

PROVO, Utah – The BYU Cougars were in danger of ending their second consecutive drive with a three-and-out until Talan Alfrey jumped on a muffed punt for the first Holy War turnover against Utah.

The Cougars drove deep into the red zone before poor clock management forced them to settle for a 25-yard Will Ferrin field goal to take a 10-7 lead.

RELATED: No. 15 BYU Cougars Vs. No. 23 Utah Utes: Live Updates & Analysis

The time management on that final drive was not ideal for BYU, but they still took the lead at the half.

BYU 10, Utah 7 | HALFTIME

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 19, 2025

Alfrey pounced on the loose football, giving the Cougars new life at the Utah 40 with 2:23 left in the half. Instead of asking its defense to defend a tie, BYU had an opportunity to take a lead.

Bachmeier and LJ Martin did most of the heavy lifting, carrying their team inside the ten-yard line.

After a two-yard gain, Martin gained on third down, the Cougars didn’t have another play ready for a timeout, forcing Bachmeier to clock the football.

Ferrin came in for the easy 25-yard field goal.

No. 15 BYU-No. 23 Utah Game

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium

Location: Provo, Utah 

Utah reentered the Top 25 this week, checking in at No. 23 after crushing a shorthanded Arizona State team 42-10 at home last weekend. The Utes have won two consecutive games by an average of 33 points.

BYU jumped out to a 6-0 start for the second consecutive season, marking the first time in program history that they have accomplished that feat. The Cougars hope to have gained momentum in a rain-soaked, 2OT road win over the Arizona Wildcats.

BYU is looking for its third straight win for the first time since 1992.

BYU-Utah rivalry week reading

• Here’s What Dave Portnoy Had To Say About BYU/Provo

• Former Cougar QB Jaren Hall: Utah-BYU Isn’t “Just Another Game”

• Utah’s Initial Availability Report For The BYU Rivalry Game

• BYU Football Availability Report Entering Rivalry Game Against Utah

• Ranking Utah Football’s Five Biggest Wins In Holy War Rivalry

• Ranking BYU Football’s Five Biggest Wins In Holy War Rivalry

• Former BYU, Utah Players Give Thoughts On Rivalry Week Matchup

• Kalani Sitake, Kyle Whittingham Named To National Coach Of The Year Watch List

• Every Player To Switch Sides In The Utah/BYU Football Rivalry

• Five Things We Learned From Kalani Sitake’s BYU/Utah Presser

• Takeaways From Kyle Whittingham’s Rivalry Week Press Conference

Where can I find the BYU vs. Utah postgame show?

BYU Cougars vs. Utah Utes recap on KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), sports.ksl.com, and the KSL Sports app.

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Find BYU’s entire 2025 football schedule here.

Find Utah’s entire 2025 football schedule here.

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