The Holy War is one of the great rivalries in college football and tends to be one of the most anticipated games of the year every time it comes around. The Holy War is a rivalry between 2 schools in Utah, the Utah Utes, and the BYU Cougars. The Utes being in Salt Lake City Utah, and BYU being in Provo Utah, making them around 45 miles away from each other. These schools have a long history of playing each other, each of which adds to the tension and pressure behind this war.
Throughout the years, Utah has been the overall winner of the Holy War, the record being 62-36-4 for Utah. The Utes had firm control over the rivalry in the 2000’s and 2010’s, becoming a well-known dominant football school. But, in the 2020’s, BYU has taken control of the Holy, currently having a 2-game winning streak over the Utes throughout the past 5 years. BYU has also become a football powerhouse for the past 5 years and has begun to overshadow the Utes by becoming the 9th highest winning team in the nation since the 2020 season. While Utah has the overall record over BYU, BYU is on the comeback run and is currently showing out Utah in the current decade and season. But the biggest story in the Holy War as of right now is the most recent meeting, and the upcoming meeting.
In the most recent meeting of the Holy War, BYU came out on top, completing a miraculous comeback and remaining undefeated. Prior to the game, BYU was 8-0 and 6-0 in the Big 12, putting them in playoff contention and possible championship contenders. While the Utes on the other hand, were having a rough season. The Utes were 4-5 and 1-5 in the Big 12, being one of the biggest let downs of the season. Although, in the Holy War, it does not matter how either team’s season has gone prior to the game, its going to be a close game and anyone could win.
Late in the 4th quarter, the Utes were up by two with 1:48 left on the clock and at their own 9-yard line. The Utes began holding the Cougars to 4th down and hope and time was falling. When, the quarterback of the Cougars, Jake Retzlaff, begun driving down the field with a magnificent dime to Chase Roberts down to the 49-yard line on 4th down to get the first down and keep them alive. The Cougars continued to drive down the field including a 12-yard pass and a 14-yard run to put them into field goal range. BYU ran the clock down to 3 seconds before calling a timeout and running the kicking team onto the field. Tensions were high and the pressure was immaculate, the crowd roaring and players praying. After this hard fought and grueling game, it all came down to one kick, one shot to win or lose the game. Will Ferrin, the kicker for BYU lines up for the kick, everyone holds their breath. Snaps good, hold is perfect, and the kick is good! BYU completes the comeback to take down the Utes and win the Holy War 22-21, and Will Ferrin goes down as a legend at BYU.
Before this, BYU won the last meeting between the 2 teams in 2021. The 19th ranked BYU came out on top winning 26-17, creating an upset over the 12th ranked Utes. This win snapped a 13-year streak for the Utes winning the war, giving them bragging rights for years. Until this day, BYU snapped the streak for the first time in 13-years. Since then, BYU has beaten the Utes 2 times, creating a winning streak of their own.
The Holy War continues at Lavell Edwards Stadium on October 18th of this year (2025). BYU is currently 3-0. Having convincing wins over Portland St., Stanford, and East Carolina. One thing that separates the Cougars from the other teams in the nation is their Quarterback. Bear Bachmeier is a 19-year-old freshman and is BYU’s starting quarterback and is still proving himself to the nation that he has the talent and abilities to lead this team in the right direction. While the Utes are 3-1, with wins over UCLA, Cal Poly, and Wyoming, and with a loss to Texas Tech. BYU is currently projected to win, but anything can happen in the Holy War. Will the Utes snap the streak and reign once again, or will BYU lead the streak to 3 and remain the undeniable better team of the 2020’s and keep hold of the reigns over the state of Utah.
Stats by espn.com.
Pictures from: espn.com, SportsLogos.net, americanfootball.fandom.com, BYU Daily Univers
