Breaking news, highlights and analysis from this year’s rivalry game between the Utes and the Cougars.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU Cougars defensive end Hunter Clegg (90) celebrates sacking Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) as BYU hosts Utah, NCAA football at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. At right is Utah Utes defensive end Alex Cloward (48).
Utah and BYU meet on the football field for the 103rd time tonight, as one of the nation’s most heated college rivalries plays out in prime time.
No. 15 BYU comes in with a perfect 6-0 record.
No. 23 Utah is 5-1.
The Cougars have won the last two times these teams have faced off, including a controversial 22-21 victory last season at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Now the game heads south to LaVell Edwards Stadium for the first time since 2021.
Follow along here for live updates, highlights, breaking news and analysis all night.
Turnover on downs — 8:47 3Q
An insane play — and a lucky bounce — on a fumble from Dallen Bentley to Tobias Merriweather meant 52 yards for the Utes to put them in scoring position… only for the Utes to come up short on fourth down once again. Feels like we’ve already had five “only in this rivalry” type of moments.
Halftime: BYU 10, Utah 7
BYU takes the lead on a 26-yard field goal from Will Ferrin before halftime. The Cougars took advantage of Mana Carvalho’s muffed punt, which ultimately set up the 3-point score.
BYU 7, Utah 7 — 3:24 2Q
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Ryan Davis (9) scores a touchdown as BYU hosts Utah, NCAA football at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
It was all about Devon Dampier on Utah’s first scoring drive. He connected with Larry Simmons for a 24-yard first-down reception. He then scrambled for a 26-yard gain and capped off the score on a pass to Ryan Davis.
BYU 7, Utah 0 – 13:37 2Q
After a scoreless first period, the Cougars got on the board first with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bear Bachmeier to Chase Roberts. Once the play was over, several Utah and BYU players got caught in a scuffle that was quickly broken up by both teams.
— Jason Batacao
Bear Bachmeier’s hurdle
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) leaps over Utah Utes safety Jackson Bennee (23) as BYU hosts Utah, NCAA football at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
This game has been all about the defenses.
It’s 0-0 after one quarter. Both teams have turned the ball over on fourth-and-short efforts.
But BYU’s true freshman Bear Bachmeir has provided the first big offensive highlight of the evening.
Both of these teams love running the football — through one quarter, there’s been 23 combined runs and just five combined passes. But both teams have been unable to convert on 4th down, hence the scoreless draw so far.
— Andy Larsen
Extra security at BYU
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU’s cougar statue in front of LaVell Edwards Stadium is covered in plastic wrap to prevent vandalism, in Provo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
BYU said it would be deploying more police than usual for this game and tightening security in other ways, including prohibiting camping.
That’s likely in response to a couple of things.
1) Last year’s rivalry game ended with upset fans throwing water bottles on the field. One of those hit a BYU cheer coach, who said months later that she was still recovering from her injuries.
2) This week, a BYU fan was arrested for allegedly threatening Utah fans on X. You can read more about that here.
A slightly more innocent security measure for the rivalry? The school has wrapped the statues on campus to prevent vandalism.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU’s statue of Brigham Young covered in plastic wrap to prevent vandalism, in Provo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU’s statue of Brigham Young covered in plastic wrap to prevent vandalism, in Provo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
— Aaron Falk
Injury reports
The biggest news from today’s injury report is that BYU safety Raider Damuni will officially miss this week’s game.
But there’s good news for the Cougars, too.
The other question mark from BYU’s availability reports this week, defensive tackle Anisi Purcell, is available.
Meanwhile … BYU’s best defensive player, Jack Kelly, is out warming up and is set to play today after sitting out last week. He will likely be key to defensive coordinator Jay Hill’s plans for keeping Utah quarterback Devon Dampier in check in the run game. Kelly and Isaiah Glasker helped spy running quarterbacks in the past for Hill.
— Kevin Reynolds
OUT for the Cougars:
S Raider DamuniWR Jojo PhillipsS Tommy PrassasRB Sione MoaCB Marcus McKenzieLB Choe Bryant-Strother
OUT for the Utes:
S Rabbit EvansS Nate RitchieWR Daidren ZippererTE Hunter AndrewsS Josh SovereignDE Paul FitzgeraldLB Grady MarekoOL Isaiah Garcia
How to watch
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) A Utah fan awaits kickoff as BYU hosts Utah, NCAA football at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. MT
TV: FOX
Broadcast team: Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Robert Griffin III (analyst), Alexa Landestoy (sideline)
Radio: ESPN 700 AM and 92.1 FM (Utes); KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM (Cougars)
Pregame reading
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Urban Meyer talks to media on the set of Big Noon Kickoff at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.