If you were one of the 13.2 million viewers who tuned in to watch Brigham Young University face off against Notre Dame on the football field this weekend, then you witnessed a truly great game. There were thrilling shows of athleticism, dramatic shifts in momentum, and all the drama fans have come to love about college football.
As president of Brigham Young University, there were loads of plays and moments — too many to list — that made me grateful to associate with this special institution and community. But one of my favorite moments from the game actually came from the other sideline after a dramatic play that didn’t go BYU’s way.
Notre Dame was leading in the fourth quarter, and their sophomore cornerback Jayden Sanders made an impressive interception. As a fan, seeing that interception was a gut punch. But what came next softened the blow. And, for me, it captured what makes faith-based institutions of higher education, like Notre Dame, stand out as a light to the world in ways that are much bigger than football.
Right after the interception, Notre Dame’s players and coaches understandably celebrated along the sidelines. But Notre Dame’s head football coach, Marcus Freeman, did something different.
As he ran toward the celebration, Freeman saw BYU’s wide receiver, Kyler Kasper, still on the ground — Kasper’s head was down and his arms hung over his knees. Freeman shifted his focus to Kasper, walked up to him and then extended his hand to help the young man back up to his feet.
It was a small gesture that took place while the camera’s attention was focused elsewhere. The moment was an easy one to miss. But to me, it conveyed a message that was louder than the stadium cheers and jeers.
In the New Testament, Jesus taught the religious authorities of his day that “whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” Christ also taught us to love those folks who wear the opposing team’s jersey.
Freeman embodied those values — the values espoused by the institution he wears on his chest. Similarly, I’ve seen Notre Dame’s president, the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, live those principles in ways big and small. In addition to his impressive achievements as a scholar and political scientist, the Rev. Dowd’s humility and Christlike nature stand out within the c-suite of major universities today.
I’ve also been struck this year witnessing the values and leadership while visiting and engaging with faith-based institutions across the country, such as Baylor University, Catholic University of America, Yeshiva University, Pepperdine University, Taylor University and Biola University, to name a few. This week alone, I have opportunities to sit and learn at the feet of the presidents of both Baylor and Catholic universities — two schools whose missions help transform students through faith to make a difference in the world.
They practice what they preach and they preach what they practice.
When BYU first joined the Big 12 athletic conference, Baylor invited BYU and its leadership to participate in Baylor’s historic homecoming parade, one of the oldest in the country. A reporter called it “unusual” to feature a Big 12 opponent and the opposing school’s university president in Baylor’s own homecoming parade. But Baylor’s President Linda Livingstone simply lives the Christian precepts her institution so powerfully champions.
BYU’s own efforts to try and ensure opposing fans and schools are not just welcomed but loved on campus were first inspired by how BYU has been treated by schools like Notre Dame and Baylor. Handing out ice cream, joint service projects and featuring uplifting stories about our opponents is BYU’s attempt to live out God’s command to love our neighbor. But there’s no question that we have learned from how our friends and neighbors at faith-based universities have repeatedly loved us back, even, and perhaps especially, after fourth quarter interceptions.
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake watches a replay during the first half of a football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Provo. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News