After a dramatic double-overtime win against Arizona propelled them to a 6-0 start, Kalani Sitake and the BYU Cougars hosted their rivals, the Utah Utes, this weekend. This game had serious implications for the AP Rankings and CFB playoff spots.
With both sides still in the running for the conference championship game, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. However, a series of terrible officiating decisions during the game had many BYU and Utah fans perplexed.
BYU And Utah Fans Bash Refs During Holy War Clash
During tonight’s game between BYU and Utah, a series of controversial officiating decisions left both fans arguing over which side was making all the decisions. Each one of these moments had huge implications in a potential conference title-deciding game.
So on consecutive drives for BYU the refs missed a defensive pass interference and defensive holding on 3rd down which resulted in punts for BYU? Big 12 reeeeeeally want Utah to win this huh?
— Micheal Henson (@MichealLHenson) October 19, 2025
“So on consecutive drives for BYU the refs missed a defensive pass interference and defensive holding on 3rd down, which resulted in punts for BYU? Big 12 really wants Utah to win this huh?” One fan questioned, with other BYU fans echoing the statement.
BYU players are too focused on stripping the ball at the expense of tackling and it’s KILLING us. Also, Utah is holding on every BYU offensive play and getting away with blatant holds. #HolyWar
— Grant Lundberg (@PortcullisUT) October 19, 2025
“Also, Utah is holding on every BYU offensive play and getting away with blatant holds.” Another fan questioned.
All of these questionable officiating decisions came in one of the biggest Holy War encounters of all time; the Utes joined BYU in the Associated Press Top 25. This set up the first ranked-versus-ranked Holy War since 2009, with the Cougars entering as the No. 15 team in the nation.
“Utah DBs holding again. Ref looks right at it and….Pathetic…” Another fan pointed out that holding calls are the most called out from tonight’s game. However, BYU fans weren’t the only ones getting in on the action.
BYU always gets bailed out. Happened last week and it’s happening again this week. They are the chiefs of college football. #BYU #Utah #holywar #refs
— Brandon (@Brandon_Iowa) October 19, 2025
“BYU always gets bailed out. Happened last week, and it’s happening again this week. They are the chiefs of college football.” One Utah fan questioned.
Despite all the hate between the two sides, both on the field and on social media, the actual game itself was actually filled with a lot of respect from both sides towards each other. This was due to the close friendship between Sitake and Kyle Whittingham.
“I’m not trying to tell fans how to do it, but it’s got to be a lot more fun when you can actually have and talk about the respect that you have for each other.” Sitake expressed a sentiment that went largely ignored.
Currently, with BYU leading deep in the fourth quarter, it looks like all these alleged poor decisions from the officials won’t come back to bite BYU. This puts the Cougars a step ahead of the Utes at 7-0, one step closer to the conference title.
