BYU vs. Utah live updates: No. 3 Utes meet No. 9 Cougars with Big 12 title, CFP implications

HALF: BYU 20, Utah 14

No. 9 BYU shook off a slow start to take a dominant halftime lead against rival No. 3 Utah in Salt Lake City. The Cougars went on a 20-0 run over the last 25 minutes of game time behind a strong performance from wide receiver Legend Glasker. 

After Utah scored quickly on its first two drives to go up 14-0, BYU put together a pair of lengthy field goal drives. Finally, early in the second quarter, Glasker received a perfect pass from quarterback Bear Bachmeier for a 75-yard touchdown to blow the game wide open. The Cougars then took advantage of a fumble to set up a go-ahead touchdown. 

Since a magical first two drives, Utah's offense has turned into a disaster. The Utes have four three-and-outs to go with a muffed punt and fumble. The Utes have only 32 yards rushing on 11 carries, with only two carries to running back Wayshawn Parker as BYU's defense keys in on the run. 

BYU had a chance to put the nail in the coffin after Devon Dampier fumbled deep in their own territory. However, Bear Bachmeier made his first mistake of the game, throwing an interception. Still, BYU gets the ball to start the second half with an opportunity to extend the lead. 

2Q: BYU 20, Utah 14

BYU managed to withstand a major early deficit and took their first lead of the game with a four-yard rushing touchdown by LJ Martin. The Cougars forced a fumble near midfield and calmly went down the field in eight plays. The touchdown was the first for Martin in more than a month after he missed time with an ankle injury. 

Utah's offense has moved to a standstill since their blazing first two drives. The Utes appeared to have their first 10-yard gain since 10:31 remaining in the first quarter, but a 13-yard reception by Braden Pegan was fumbled and recovered near midfield. 

BYU has the ball with a chance to take their first lead of the game. The Holy War never disappoints. 

2Q: Utah 14, BYU 13

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier is often criticized for his passing, but he decided to put everything on the line in the second quarter. Bachmeier dropped back to throw and dropped a bomb to freshman Legend Glasker in perfect stride for a 75-yard touchdown over the top of the Utah defense. 

The Cougars were down 14-0 less than five minutes into the game. Now, BYU is only down one point on the road at Rice-Eccles Stadium. What a turnaround. 

End 1Q: Utah 14, BYU 6

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier is putting on a show after one quarter against BYU, leading the Utes to an early 11-point advantage. Dampier has been dominanted, completing 4-of-6 passes for 110 yards and both throwing and rushing for a touchdown against the No. 9 Cougars. 

The Utes blazed down the field on their first two drives, scoring touchdowns on three- and four-play drives that each lasted fewer than 80 seconds. After going three-and-out to start, BYU's offense has settled in. The Cougars took 4:27 off the clock with a field goal drive, and added another 4:36 field goal drive. However, they won't win this game with field goals. 

Utah has lost three straight games against BYU, including both as members of the Big 12. The Utes are well on their way to turning the tide this morning. 

1Q: Utah 14, BYU 3

BYU put together their first long drive down the field, traveling 75 yards in eight plays. But after seemingly getting a fourth down conversion, the Cougars were called for a delay of game, which forced them to settle for a 31-yard field goal. That probably won't cut it with the way Utah is playing defensively. 

1Q: Utah 14, BYU 0

The Utes could not have drawn up a more perfect start to the Holy War. Utah forced a three-and-out on BYU's first drive, overcame a 3rd-and-11 and drove down the field with ease, capped off by a 46-yard touchdown pass from Devon Dampier to Braden Pegan. 

BYU came into the game ranking among the top passing defenses in college football, but Dapmier has diced them apart as they focus in on the run. The senior is completing 4-of-5 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. 

1Q: Utah 7, BYU 0

Utah offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven came out aggressive and helped manufacture a scoring drive in just three plays. After motioning quarterback Devon Dampier out of the slot to quarterback on the first play, the Utes pulled BYU's linebackers down with a play action that immediately flipped into a tight end leak concept that completely fooled BYU. 

Quarterback Devon Dampier stepped into a rush on the edge of the red zone and broke off a 22-yard touchdown scamper. Utah has eight opening drive touchdowns in nine games, which they've used to their first 8-0 start since 2010. Can BYU recover? 

BYU and Utah's staffs are deeply intertwined. After playing for LaVell Edwards at Utah, Kalani Sitake came to Utah as an assistant coach under Kyle Whittingham from 2005-14. Offensive coordinators Aaron Roderick (BYU) and Kevin McGiven (Utah) also had stretches at the other school, while Utah defensive coordinator Colton Swan coached under former BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill at Weber State. 

The rivalry game has long been defined by great coaches, and Scalley has a chance to add his name to the list. Sitake helped break a lengthy Whittingham win streak in 2021. Can Scalley pull control back? 

Flying under the radar as a playoff contender, No. 12 Utah (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) enters Saturday's matchup against Kansas (2-2, 0-1) with a 10-game winning streak and eyeing its first 5-0 start since 2015. Statistically, the Utes present a compelling case as an elite contender. They have led by at least 20 points at halftime in every game this season -- a feat matched over the last decade only by CFP semifinalists Ohio State in 2019 and Texas in 2024.

The success comes from a system built around a pair of dual-threat quarterbacks deployed simultaneously, seamlessly swapping roles across skill positions—from quarterback to backfield to receiver, in the slot and out wide. It's not the Wildcat formation or a gimmick trick play that so many others run. Utah uses it so often that it's just another play in its script.

It takes two: Utah's dual-QB attack is college football's most creative offense and a DC's worst nightmare

Brandon Marcello

BYU running back LJ Martin is expected to return and start for the Cougars in their game against Utah, according to ESPN, depending on how he feels going through warmups. Martin, perhaps the best individual talent on the Cougars' roster, has missed the last four games with an ankle injury. 

Martin ranked among the best all-purpose weapons in college football last weekend, rushing for 1,305 yards, receiving 255 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. He was off to a blazing start to 2026, averaging 7.8 yards per carry before his injury. Without Martin in the lineup, BYU's running backs are combining to average only 56.5 yards per game. 

In a rough-and-tumble rivalry matchup against Utah in 2025, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier faced the biggest test of his young college career. His years of training had led to this moment, a physical game on a national stage.

With the game tight in the fourth quarter, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick put the ball -- and the outcome -- in his quarterback's hands, calling a quarterback draw through the heart of the Utah defense.

For a moment, Bachmeier was back in the long hallway of his childhood home, playing indoor football against his older brothers. Bear was always the smallest, but never afraid to take a hit. Picture frames fell, carpets wore thin, but he kept pushing forward.

"It's just a mentality," Bachmeier said.

Forged in 'organized chaos,' BYU QB Bear Bachmeier prepares to take college football's biggest stage

Shehan Jeyarajah