BYU remains to be undefeated. One way or the other.
The No. 9 Cougars took benefit of a fourth-down holding penalty to stun Utah 22-21 late Saturday evening. The Utes led for all the second half and appeared to have the sport over when QB Jake Retzlaff threw three incompletions and was sacked proper in entrance of the purpose line with 90 seconds left.
However earlier than Retzlaff may fall within the pocket, Utah's Zemaiah Vaughn was flagged to carry the play. The 10-yard penalty gave BYU an automated first down.
Right here's a have a look at the penalty in query:
Two performs later, Retzlaff discovered Chase Roberts for a 30-yard acquire up the center of the sphere with 1:13 left. Seven performs after that, Will Ferrin kicked a 44-yard discipline purpose with three seconds left.
After the sport, Utah athletic director Mark Harlan wasted no time calling out the officers, saying, “This sport was completely stolen from us. We have been excited to be within the Massive 12, however tonight we're not. I received this sport; another person. stole us very upset [Big 12] commissioner. This was not truthful to our group. I’m disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating group tonight.”
The unbelievable comeback got here after BYU's offense was out of sync all evening. The Cougars used two of their second-half timeouts early within the third quarter to unravel offensive issues and appeared rattled at instances by the extraordinarily raucous crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Saturday evening's sport was the primary between the faculties with each as Massive 12 members.
Brandon Rose began at QB for the Utes for the primary time this season after freshman Isaac Wilson began rather than the injured Cameron Rising. Rose threw TDs to Brant Kuithe and Micah Bernard in that second quarter and completed the sport 12-of-21 passing for 112 yards and an interception.
Utah's protection was the primary cause the Utes almost pulled off the upset. Retzlaff was sacked thrice and had a number of tipped passes on the line of scrimmage. However the Utes couldn't get the final cease they actually wanted after the offense fell aside within the second half.
Utah led 21-10 at halftime thanks to a few second-quarter discipline objectives, however the offense was depressing over the ultimate 30 minutes. Utah ran simply 25 performs within the third and fourth quarters, and 5 of the Utes' six possessions lasted 4 performs or much less.
In the meantime, BYU is considered one of three undefeated energy convention groups left together with Oregon and Indiana. Military is the one group exterior of the four-conference powerhouse with no loss.
And the win means the Cougars are one step nearer to the Massive 12 title sport and will have a spot within the championship sport wrapped up with two extra wins. The Cougars are 6-Zero within the convention and one sport forward of second-place Colorado and 4 third-place groups. Wins over Kansas State and Arizona — one of many groups tied for third — would enable the Cougars to clinch a spot within the title sport earlier than the ultimate week of the season.