No. 3 Utah remained undefeated with a 28-20 comeback victory over No. 9 BYU on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, snapping a three-game BYU winning streak in the Holy War rivalry. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier accounted for four touchdowns, while BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw four interceptions to secure the win for the Utes in front of 52,901 fans.
Momentum Swings and Defensive Stops
The game featured significant momentum shifts as both teams entered the matchup ranked in the top 10 for the first time in series history. Utah established an early 14-0 lead on its first two possessions, fueled by a 22-yard touchdown run by Dampier and a 46-yard touchdown pass to Braden Pegan. However, BYU responded with 20 consecutive points to take a 20-14 lead into halftime, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown pass from Bachmeier to Legend Glasker and a 4-yard touchdown run by LJ Martin.
Utah's second-half turnaround was driven by a defensive performance that secured four interceptions. James Chenault and Lance Holtzclaw intercepted Bachmeier in the second half, while Trey Reynolds intercepted a pass on third-and-goal with 4:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. Nate Ritchie secured the final interception in the closing seconds to end the game. The Utes' defense held BYU to zero points in the second half, while the Cougars' offense was limited to 111 total yards in the final two quarters.
Individual Performances
Devon Dampier delivered a standout performance, finishing with 177 passing yards and 89 rushing yards. His contributions included two touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns, including a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter that extended Utah's lead to 28-20. Pegan was a primary target, recording five receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier finished with 272 passing yards and one touchdown, but his four interceptions proved critical. His second-half performance was described by some observers as his career low point. In addition to his passing, Bachmeier led BYU with 59 rushing yards on eight carries. Legend Glasker led the Cougars in receiving with 118 yards on seven catches.
Playoff Implications
The loss has significant implications for the College Football Playoff landscape. BYU's chances of making the playoff fell from 39.7% to 28.9%, according to the PFN College Football Playoff Meter. The Cougars' odds of reaching the Big 12 championship game also dropped from 30.9% to 17.9%, meaning they no longer control their own path to the title game.
Utah remains one of only three unbeaten teams in the FBS and holds a nation-leading 15 consecutive wins. The Utes' victory keeps them atop the Big 12 standings. Both teams remain in contention for the 12-team playoff, with the final field to be announced Dec. 6.
Upcoming Schedules
Looking ahead, BYU prepares to face Baylor next Saturday. BYU offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell noted the team must focus on the upcoming matchup and improve its running game to alleviate pressure on the passing game. Running back LJ Martin, who returned from a lower leg injury, is expected to see increased usage against the Bears.
Utah is scheduled to travel to face No. 22 Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 14. The game time and broadcast information for that matchup have not yet been announced.
Coaching Reactions
The rivalry match concluded with mutual respect between the coaching staffs. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake credited Utah's defense for its ability to disrupt the passing game and acknowledged the Utes' preparation. Utah coach Morgan Scalley praised his players' unity and response during the halftime interval.
Rivalry Context
Utah's victory marks its first win in the rivalry since 2019. The win also extends the Utes' longest winning streak since the 2007-2009 period.
