Utah’s loss to BYU ended in chaos, controversy, and a $40,000 fine. With 1:35 left, Utah led 21-19 and had BYU backed into a fourth-and-10. The first apparent stop was wiped out by a timeout called just before the snap. Utah stopped BYU again, prompting full celebration, but a late flag for defensive holding gave BYU a first down. Replays showed some contact, but the holding call looked soft. On the next play, Utah dropped what would’ve been a game-sealing interception. Then, another close call on a catch was ruled complete after review, continuing BYU’s drive. A few plays later, BYU kicked a go-ahead field goal with three seconds left to stay undefeated.
Utah’s players and fans were stunned. The athletic director stormed the field in the middle of the final play, furious with officiating. Cameras caught him yelling at the lead ref, “That’s why we fired you in the Pac-12,” revealing some history. That official, Kevin Maher, had formerly worked in the Pac-12 before moving to the Big 12—same as Utah. This apparent backstory added fuel to accusations that officiating robbed Utah of a win. The Big 12 fined Utah’s AD for his outburst. Though he apologized later, the damage was done, both on the scoreboard and in the headlines.