BYU Defeats Utah Amid Officiating Controversy

Utah's athletic director, Mark Harlan, expressed outrage over what he deemed a 'stolen' victory in the football rivalry game between Utah and BYU, which ended 22-21 in favor of BYU. Utah believed they had secured the win, but a crucial holding penalty against Utah's defense extended BYU's final drive, allowing them to score a game-winning field goal. The controversy centered on a penalty call that nullified a seemingly decisive defensive play by Utah, which many, including Harlan, felt was unjust. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham also criticized the officiating, describing the situation as 'ridiculous'. BYU's victory, which keeps them undefeated in the Big 12, was marked by a late-game rally led by quarterback Jake Retzlaff. The loss is a significant blow to Utah, especially in their debut Big 12 season, as they now face the challenge of redirecting their season's trajectory against upcoming opponents like Colorado.