BYU VS Utah: Will Ferrin nailed a clutch 44-yard field goal with three seconds left, lifting BYU to a dramatic 22-21 victory over Utah on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.
BYU gained possession with 1:56 left inside Utah’s 10-yard line, driving downfield in a thrilling finish. The pivotal moment came on a fourth-and-10 when Jake Retzlaff was sacked, only for a holding penalty on Utah’s secondary to extend the drive. Retzlaff then hit Chase Roberts for 30 yards, followed by a 12-yard pass to Darrius Lassiter, and a 14-yard run by Hinckley Ropati to set up Ferrin’s game-winning kick. BYU ran down the clock to limit Utah’s chaotic pass rush, giving Ferrin his chance.
Defensive adjustments played a huge role, with BYU’s defense shutting out Utah in the second half after allowing three consecutive scoring drives. Key moments included BYU’s 2-0 turnover advantage and Keelan Marion’s 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
BYU outgained Utah 339-259, with Retzlaff going 15-of-33 for 217 yards and Roberts making six catches for 91 yards, including critical plays on the final drive. The Cougars, now 9-0, will face Kansas next Saturday in Provo.
BYU Stuns Rival Utah in Final Seconds to Stay Unbeaten
BYU VS Utah: Jake Retzlaff led two fourth-quarter scoring drives, and Will Ferrin’s 44-yard field goal with four seconds left kept No. 9 BYU’s undefeated season intact. A defensive holding penalty on Utah extended BYU’s final drive in front of a record crowd of 54,383 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Retzlaff completed key passes to Chase Roberts and Darius Lassiter, with Ropati’s run putting BYU in range for Ferrin’s kick. The Cougars, now the only unbeaten team in the Big 12, are eyeing a conference title bid.
Retzlaff’s earlier 1-yard sneak capped a nine-play, 95-yard drive, though a failed two-point conversion left Utah in the lead, 21-19.
Utah’s Brandon Rose, who started in place of injured Cam Rising, threw a 20-yard touchdown to Brant Kuithe in the second quarter and later connected for a 7-yard score to Micah Bernard. Rose ended 12-for-21 with 112 yards but struggled in the second half, going just 4-of-11.
BYU capitalized on a Rose interception with Ferrin’s second field goal, while Keelan Marion’s kickoff return touchdown in the second quarter helped keep BYU in the game.
Takeaways
BYU: The Cougars’ offense struggled until the fourth quarter. Mismanagement of the clock in the first half led to a missed scoring opportunity when a false start and final timeout ran out the clock in field goal range.
Utah: Micah Bernard, who carried 17 times for 78 yards, passed 2,000 career rushing yards. After a strong second quarter, Utah’s offense faltered. The Utes have now lost five straight, though none by more than 13 points.
Familiar Foes
Five of BYU’s coaches previously coached or played at Utah, while long-time Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham played for BYU in the 1980s.
Up Next
BYU hosts Kansas next Saturday night.
Utah travels to face No. 21 Colorado next Saturday.
