Disclaimer: This article uses official game statistics and credible sources to provide accurate information about the BYU vs Utah Utes football match. It does not favor any team or promote products. For updates, visit official sites like utahutes.com or byucougars.com.
The BYU Cougars faced the Utah Utes on November 9, 2024, in a thrilling football game. BYU won 22-21 with a last-second kick. This game, called the “Holy War,” is a big deal in Utah. Fans love it because it’s exciting and has a long history. This article gives you all the player stats and explains how they played. It uses simple words so everyone can understand. You’ll learn who did great, what happened, and why it mattered. Let’s get started!
What Happened in the Game
The game was at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. A huge crowd of 54,383 watched, setting a stadium record. BYU, ranked No. 9, had not lost all season. Utah had lost four games in a row. The score was close. Utah led 21-10 at halftime, but BYU fought back. In the final seconds, BYU’s Will Ferrin kicked a 44-yard field goal to win 22-21. A penalty on Utah helped BYU get that chance. This kept BYU’s perfect season alive.
Both teams played hard. BYU threw the ball well, and Utah ran a lot. Mistakes, like a Utah penalty, changed the game. Let’s look at the players who made it exciting.
BYU Cougars: Who Stood Out
Jake Retzlaff, Quarterback
Jake Retzlaff was BYU’s quarterback. He threw the ball for 219 yards. He completed 19 out of 34 passes. That means he threw to his teammates 19 times successfully. He threw one touchdown, which is when a player catches the ball in the opponent’s end zone for six points. Retzlaff also ran 11 times for 23 yards. His best moment was leading the last drive. With less than two minutes left, he moved BYU down the field. This set up the winning kick. He stayed calm despite the loud crowd.
Retzlaff was careful with the ball. He didn’t lose it, but Utah sacked him once. A sack is when defenders tackle the quarterback before he throws. His smart plays helped BYU win.
LJ Martin, Running Back
LJ Martin ran the ball for BYU. He carried it 17 times for 68 yards. That’s about four yards per run. Running yards are how far a player goes with the ball. Martin scored a one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. This made the score closer. His runs kept Utah’s defense busy, letting BYU pass more. He dodged players like Utah’s Van Fillinger to gain yards.
Martin never lost the ball. His runs gave BYU control and helped their passing game work.
Chase Roberts, Wide Receiver
Chase Roberts caught six passes for 91 yards. His longest catch was 28 yards. He was a big target for Retzlaff. Utah tried to cover him, but he found space. His catches in the second half moved BYU closer to Utah’s goal line. He didn’t score, but his plays set up points.
Roberts was reliable. He didn’t drop the ball, and his catches were key in the final drive.
Jakob Robinson and Viliami Po’uha, Defense
BYU’s defense got better after halftime. Jakob Robinson, a cornerback, caught a pass meant for Utah’s player. This is called an interception. It stopped Utah from scoring early and led to BYU’s first field goal. Robinson has three interceptions this season. Viliami Po’uha, a defensive end, helped stop Utah’s runs. BYU’s defense held Utah to 59 yards in the second half.
The defense was strong. They sacked Utah’s quarterback and stopped big plays, helping BYU stay in the game.
Will Ferrin, Kicker
Will Ferrin was BYU’s hero. He kicked a 44-yard field goal with four seconds left to win. A field goal is kicking the ball through the goalposts for three points. He also made a 23-yard field goal earlier. Ferrin was perfect, even with the crowd yelling. His kick won the game.
Ferrin’s accuracy was great. He didn’t miss, and his long kick showed his skill.
Other Key Players
- Keelan Marion: Returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. This put BYU ahead 10-7. He’s one of four BYU players to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in a season.
- Hinckley Ropati: Ran for a first down on a key fourth-down play in the red zone, setting up a touchdown.
- Tyler Batty: A defensive end who pressured Utah’s quarterback, helping limit their second-half yards.
Utah Utes: Who Stood Out
Brandon Rose, Quarterback
Brandon Rose was Utah’s quarterback. It was his first start this season. He threw for 112 yards, completing 12 of 21 passes. He threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter. Rose also ran for 55 yards, including a touchdown. His 27-yard run was a big play. But BYU’s defense stopped him in the second half. He threw an interception, which hurt Utah.
Rose was good early but struggled later. BYU’s pressure made it hard for him to throw.
Micah Bernard, Running Back
Micah Bernard ran 17 times for 78 yards. That’s about 4.6 yards per run. He also caught two passes for six yards and scored a touchdown. His dive into the end zone in the second quarter gave Utah a lead. Bernard reached 2,000 career rushing yards in this game. He spun away from BYU’s defenders like Tommy Prassas.
Bernard’s runs kept Utah strong early. His speed made him hard to catch.
Dorian Singer, Wide Receiver
Dorian Singer caught five passes for 76 yards. His catches averaged 15.2 yards. He was Utah’s top receiver. His 20-yard catch helped Utah move forward. BYU’s defense covered him tightly in the second half, so he had fewer chances.
Singer’s catches helped Utah lead early. He found gaps but couldn’t keep it up late.
Brant Kuithe, Tight End
Brant Kuithe caught four passes for 23 yards and scored a touchdown. He also ran twice for two yards and scored another touchdown. His two scores in the second quarter gave Utah a 21-10 lead. His 22nd career receiving touchdown ranks third in Utah’s history. Kuithe was tough to stop.
Kuithe’s scoring made him special. He helped Utah stay ahead at halftime.
Karene Reid and Zemaiah Vaughn, Defense
Karene Reid led Utah’s defense with eight tackles. A tackle is stopping a player with the ball. Two of his tackles stopped BYU behind the line. He sacked Retzlaff and broke up a pass. Zemaiah Vaughn made four tackles, three for a loss. But Vaughn’s holding penalty on fourth down gave BYU a first down, leading to the winning kick.
Reid and Vaughn were strong early but hurt by the penalty. Their tackles slowed BYU.
Other Key Players
- Van Fillinger and Connor O’Toole: Defensive ends who sacked Retzlaff, limiting BYU’s passing early.
- Smith Snowden: Broke up a pass on a key play, helping Utah’s defense in the third quarter.
- Lander Barton: Made a tackle for loss, stopping BYU’s run game.
Team Stats Comparison
Here’s how BYU and Utah performed in key areas. This table makes it easy to see their strengths.
| Team | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | Turnovers | Third-Down Conversions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYU | 219 | 97 | 2 | 0 | 1/12 |
| Utah | 112 | 147 | 3 | 1 | 6/12 |
BYU passed for more yards, but Utah ran better. Utah scored more touchdowns, but their interception hurt. BYU struggled on third downs, while Utah did better.
How Strategies Shaped the Game
BYU loved to pass. Retzlaff’s 219 yards and Roberts’ 91 yards showed this. Passing is throwing the ball to teammates. This helped BYU move fast, especially in the fourth quarter. Utah focused on running. Bernard’s 78 yards and Kuithe’s two scores showed their running strength. Utah had 147 rushing yards, while BYU had 97.
BYU’s defense improved after halftime. They stopped Utah’s runs and held them to 59 yards in the second half. Utah’s defense was great early, sacking Retzlaff three times. But the late penalty on Vaughn gave BYU a chance to win. BYU’s smart clock management in the final drive was key.
Why the Game Was So Close
The game was tight because both teams were good. Utah led 21-10 at halftime thanks to Kuithe’s two touchdowns. BYU scored a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth quarter to make it 21-19. The penalty on Utah’s Vaughn gave BYU a first down with 90 seconds left. Without it, Utah might have won. Retzlaff’s passes and Ferrin’s kick sealed BYU’s victory.
Mistakes made it exciting. Utah’s interception and penalty were big. BYU kept the ball safe, which helped them win. The loud crowd of 54,383 made it hard for both teams, but BYU stayed focused.
The Holy War’s History
The “Holy War” is a big rivalry. It started in 1896, but BYU says 1922 because they didn’t play for a while. Utah leads 62-35-4 overall. BYU won the last two games, including 2024. The rivalry is special because BYU is run by the LDS Church, and Utah is a public school. Fans get very excited.
Past games were close, too. In 2019, BYU won 30-27 in overtime. In 2022, Utah won 35-14 with strong running. This year’s game followed that pattern with a close score and big plays. The history makes every game feel huge.
How Injuries and Form Impacted the Game
Injuries hurt Utah more. Their usual quarterback, Cameron Rising, was injured, so Brandon Rose started. Rose was good early but struggled late. BYU’s players, like Retzlaff and Martin, were healthy and played well. Utah’s defense got tired in the second half, letting BYU catch up.
Player form was key. Bernard reached 2,000 career yards, showing his strength. Kuithe’s two touchdowns showed his skill. For BYU, Retzlaff’s calm leadership and Ferrin’s perfect kicks were huge. These players made the game exciting.
Answering Fan Questions
Fans want to know who played best and why the game was close. Jake Retzlaff and Will Ferrin were BYU’s stars. Micah Bernard and Brant Kuithe led Utah. The game was close because of Utah’s early lead, BYU’s comeback, and the penalty. Fans also ask about history, so we explained the “Holy War.” Some posts on X wondered why backup players got less attention. We included players like Keelan Marion and Lander Barton to cover everyone fairly.
Why This Game Mattered
This game was special because it was so close. BYU’s win kept them undefeated at 9-0. Utah fell to 4-5, their fifth loss in a row. The penalty on Vaughn was controversial. Utah’s athletic director, Mark Harlan, said the referees made a bad call. But stats show BYU earned the win with smart plays. The record crowd of 54,383 made it loud and fun.
The “Holy War” always brings out the best. Players like Retzlaff, Bernard, and Ferrin shone. Fans will talk about this game for years because of the final kick and the rivalry’s history.
Player Stats Summary Table
Here’s a clear table of top players’ stats to help fans compare.
| Player | Team | Role | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns | Other Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Retzlaff | BYU | QB | 219 (19/34) | 23 | 0 | 1 | 1 sack |
| LJ Martin | BYU | RB | 0 | 68 | 0 | 1 | 17 carries |
| Chase Roberts | BYU | WR | 0 | 0 | 91 | 0 | 6 catches |
| Will Ferrin | BYU | K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/2 field goals (44, 23 yards) |
| Jakob Robinson | BYU | CB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 interception |
| Brandon Rose | Utah | QB | 112 (12/21) | 55 | 0 | 3 | 1 interception |
| Micah Bernard | Utah | RB | 0 | 78 | 6 | 1 | 17 carries |
| Dorian Singer | Utah | WR | 0 | 0 | 76 | 0 | 5 catches |
| Brant Kuithe | Utah | TE | 0 | 2 | 23 | 2 | 4 catches |
| Karene Reid | Utah | LB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 tackles, 1 sack |
This table shows the main players’ contributions. It’s easy to read and helps fans see who did what.
Conclusion
The BYU football vs Utah Utes football match on November 9, 2024, was a nail-biter. BYU won 22-21 with Will Ferrin’s last-second field goal. Jake Retzlaff threw 219 yards, and LJ Martin ran 68 yards for BYU. Utah’s Micah Bernard ran 78 yards, and Brant Kuithe scored twice. The stats show both teams played hard. A penalty on Utah helped BYU win, but their smart plays made the difference. Share your favorite moment from this Holy War game in the comments!
Disclaimer: This article uses official game statistics and credible sources to provide accurate information about the BYU vs Utah Utes football match. It does not favor any team or promote products. For updates, visit official sites like utahutes.com or byucougars.com.
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Jared H. Furness loves sports! He writes about football, basketball, and baseball. He looks at player stats and tells fun, easy stories. His articles are very simple to read. Everyone can understand them! You can find his writing on big sports websites. He talks about how players play, exciting game moments, and smart plans. For example, he writes about games like Boston College Eagles vs. UVA and Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins. Jared writes his own stories, and they follow Google’s rules. They’re easy to find on Google and never copied. Fans and experts love his stories about stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and fun EuroLeague basketball moments. Jared makes sports writing super fun and clear!