(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes offensive lineman Lo Falemaka (69) and offensive lineman Jackson Barton (70) celebrate as the Utes stop the Cougars on 4th down wth just seconds left in the game, giving Utah the victory, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah takes the field for football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (84) celebrates his touchdown with Cougar tight end Dallin Holker, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young running back Matt Hadley (2) runs the ball for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (11) drags three Ute defenders with him, as he runs the ball for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young tight end Matt Bushman (89) lands in the end zone for a Cougar touchdown, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young tight end Matt Bushman (89) lands in the end zone for a Cougar touchdown, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) gets past Utah defensive back Marquise Blair (13) and Utes defensive back Corrion Ballard (15) to score a touchdown for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) gets past Utah defensive back Marquise Blair (13) and Utes defensive back Corrion Ballard (15) to score a touchdown for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham visits with Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, before football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) gets past Utah Utes defensive back Marquise Blair (13) and Utah Utes defensive back Corrion Ballard (15) to score a touchdown for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Alton Dahl, 9, from Farmington, holds a sign before football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Dallin Holker (32), in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young tight end Matt Bushman (89) lands in the end zone for a Cougar touchdown, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) celebrates his touchdown, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars place kicker Rhett Almond (26) celebrates with Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku (5) after he recovered a Utah fumble, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) gets past Utah Utes defensive back Marquise Blair (13) and Utah Utes defensive back Corrion Ballard (15) to score a touchdown for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (11 hands off to Brigham Young Cougars running back Matt Hadley (2), in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Jake Healey and Erik Urses cheer for the Utes, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes linebacker Cody Barton (30) defends on a pass intended for Brigham Young Cougars tight end Dallin Holker (32), in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah celebrates their 35-27 victory of the Brigham Young Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham hugs Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, after Utah defeated BYU, 35-27, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes celebrate their 35-27, win over the Brigham Young Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
The Utah Utes celebrate their 35-27 win over the Brigham Young Cougars, in football action between the BYU and Utah, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes running back TJ Green (4) tries to bring in a pass, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes running back Armand Shyne (6) celebrates with Utah Utes offensive lineman Jackson Barton (70), after scoring a touchdown late in the 4th quarter, tying the score at 27-27, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes running back Armand Shyne (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown late in the 4th quarter, tying the score at 27-27, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes running back Armand Shyne (6) celebrates with Utah Utes offensive lineman Jackson Barton (70), after scoring a touchdown late in the 4th quarter, tying the score at 27-27, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes running back Armand Shyne (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown late in the 4th quarter, tying the score at 27-27, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes running back Armand Shyne (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown late in the 4th quarter, tying the score at 27-27, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young running back Matt Hadley (2) scores a touchdown for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young running back Matt Hadley (2) scores a touchdown for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) grabs a one handed pass, as Utah Utes linebacker Cody Barton (30) defends, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) grabs a one handed pass, as Utah Utes linebacker Cody Barton (30) defends, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) grabs a one handed pass, as Utah Utes linebacker Cody Barton (30) defends, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes quarterback Jason Shelley (15) runs with the ball, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Jacob Jimenez (70) celebrates as Brigham Young running back Matt Hadley (2) scores a touchdown for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham leaves the field with his wife Jamie, after Utah defeated BYU for the 8th straight time, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham hugs family members, after Utah defeated BYU for the 8th straight time, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake congratulates Brigham Young running back Matt Hadley (2) after he scored a touchdown for the Cougars, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson (11) throws a pass for the Cougars, , in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes defensive tackle Pita Tonga (49) wraps up Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (11) for a sack, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes defensive tackle Pita Tonga (49) wraps up Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (11) for a sack, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham shakes hands with fans after Utah defeated BYU for the 8th straight time, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018.
One of these years, BYU is going to run out of new ways to lose the rivalry game to Utah.
Until then, the agony will continue.
The Cougars blew a 20-point lead, giving up four unanswered touchdowns in the final 16 minutes of the game, and fell 35-27 to the Utes in front of 46,017 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
“This one hurts,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “It is supposed to hurt, so you can remember it.”
Leading 27-7 after Matt Hadley’s fourth-down touchdown run from the 1 with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter, the Cougars got conservative on offense and sorely missed injured linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi on defense.
The result was one of the biggest meltdowns in rivalry history. Sitake acknowledged the Cougars “made way too many mistakes” and that the “injuries really hurt us,” but insisted on giving Utah (9-3) credit for the big comeback.
“I don’t want to sit here and say we failed to do all this stuff,” he said. “Utah is a great team. They are ranked and like I said, they won the Pac 12 South. We just made too many mistakes.”
The most costly one was a pick-six that freshman quarterback Zach Wilson threw to Julian Blackmon that flipped the game’s momentum and gave the Utes hope that they could rally back. Blackmon’s 27-yard touchdown return pulled the Utes to within 20-7 and ignited their sideline.
“We let it slip through our hands,” said BYU tight end Matt Bushman, who had six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Sitake took his team to the movie “Creed II” on Friday night and relayed its message:
“If you’ve got nothing to lose, you’re really dangerous,” he said. “That should be a definition for us tonight.”
It was, until those fateful final 16 minutes.
Of all the closes losses the Cougars have endured at the hands of the Utes the last decade, this one might have been the most painful because BYU dominated the game for nearly three quarters. BYU played its best half of the season in taking a 20-0 lead at the break — better than in upsets of Arizona and Wisconsin when it was also a double-digit underdog.
“I believe our team is really close [to beating Utah],” Sitake said. “This has made us a closer team. We just have to build on it, as difficult as it is to accept the outcome of this game.”
It was Utah’s fourth pick-six against BYU in three games, and the comeback had begun, but not before the Cougars put together a gutty drive to answer the setback.
Then BYU started making mistakes, and Utah’s offense found its way.
“Toward the end, our guys got a little winded,” said Sitake, noting that the Cougars were playing third- and fourth-stringers after injuries sidelined Isaiah Kaufusi and others.
“We came out with energy and we came out with fight,” Bushman said. “We just didn’t keep that up in the second half.”
The Utes sandwiched 75- and 45-yard touchdown drives around a 15-yard punt by Rhett Almond and cut the Cougars’ lead to 27-21 with 10:53 remaining. Armand Shyne’s 5-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes remaining gave the Utes their first lead of the game.
Riley Burt was stuffed on a 4th-and-1 run, and Utah QB Jason Shelley ran 33 yards for the clincher with less than two minutes remaining.
“We felt really good with our defense and the way we were playing,” Sitake said. “I’m not sure if it was all conservative, just because they stopped us. It is not like we quit throwing the ball and all that stuff.”
Kalani Sitake on Zach Wilson’s play and whether play calling was too conservative in second half pic.twitter.com/A1uBp7CGPr
Aside from the costly interception and inability to avoid sacks on the final two possessions, freshman quarterback Zach Wilson played brilliantly for BYU. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 91 yards before 18 yards in sack losses was counted in.
“Zach made some great plays,” Sitake said. “That’s a great defense he went against.”
BYU rushed for 153 yards — to 155 for Utah — and outgained the Utes 357-296, but none of that mattered as it fell for the eighth-straight time in the rivalry game.
“We have to make sure we play a full 60 minutes and get a win in this rivalry next year,” Sitake concluded.