SALT LAKE CITY — After No. 9 BYU topped rival Utah 22-21 thanks to a last-second field goal Saturday night to remain unbeaten, Utes athletic director Mark Harlan approached the podium in Utah’s postgame press conference area and said, “This game was absolutely stolen from us.”
“We were excited about being in the Big 12, but tonight I am not,” Harlan said. “We won this game. Someone else stole it from us. I’m very disappointed. I will talk to the commissioner. This is not fair to our team. I am disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight.”
Utah held a 21-19 lead over BYU late in the fourth quarter when the officials called a holding penalty on Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn on a fourth-and-10 from BYU’s 9-yard line. Utah sacked BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff on the play for a turnover on downs with 1:35 left in the game that would’ve all but sealed the victory for Utah, but a holding call was whistled on Vaughn.
Here’s the penalty that extended the eventual game-winning drive for BYU
This was a 4th down sack to end the game, but called defensive holding
Announcers say “really good call” but that is very debatable pic.twitter.com/RGpw9Qy8nA
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) November 10, 2024
Given new life and a renewed chance at salvaging their undefeated season, BYU drove down to the Utah 26-yard line, and kicker Will Ferrin drilled the game-winning 44-yard field goal with four seconds remaining. While BYU improved to 9-0 and is now one of just four remaining undefeated teams left in college football this season, Utah lost its fifth straight game in heart-wrenching fashion.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham was visibly upset with the officiating after the game. “Things out there were ridiculous,” Whittingham said. “That’s how I’ll leave it.”
Utah was one of four new programs to begin Big 12 play in 2024 alongside Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado.
(Photo: Chris Gardner / Getty Images)
