Saturday night brought a double dose of drama for college football fans in the Mountain West, as both the BYU Cougars and the University of Utah Utes faced pivotal Big 12 matchups with unexpected twists before kickoff. The football world watched closely as weather disruptions and last-minute lineup decisions added intrigue to two of the region’s most anticipated games.
In Tucson, Arizona, the undefeated No. 18 BYU Cougars prepared to take on the Arizona Wildcats for the first time as Big 12 Conference foes. The stakes were already high, with BYU boasting a spotless 5-0 record (2-0 in Big 12 play) and looking to extend their perfect season. But just hours before the 6 p.m. MT kickoff, BYU released its final player availability report, and there were a few surprises that could impact the Cougars’ momentum.
One of the biggest question marks hovered over the status of senior linebacker Jack Kelly. Kelly, who has racked up 21 tackles and an eye-popping four forced fumbles this season, was officially listed as a "game time decision" on the final availability report. His presence—or absence—would surely be felt on a defense that has been one of the team’s strengths all season long. The uncertainty sent ripples through Cougar Nation, as fans and analysts speculated about how the defense might adjust if Kelly couldn’t suit up.
Meanwhile, BYU confirmed that several key players were definitely out for the Arizona game. Wide receiver Jojo Phillips, running back Sione Moa, linebacker Choe Bryant-Strother, cornerback Marcus McKenzie, and defensive tackle Anisi Purcell were all sidelined. That’s a significant chunk of talent, especially with the Cougars facing their first road test against Arizona as Big 12 rivals. The team’s depth would surely be tested, and it was up to head coach Kalani Sitake and his staff to find the right mix of replacements to keep the Cougars’ winning streak alive.
Despite the personnel challenges, BYU arrived in Tucson with plenty of confidence. Their season so far has been nothing short of dominant. The Cougars opened the year by steamrolling the Portland State Vikings 69-0 at home, then followed up with a commanding 27-3 victory over Stanford. After a bye week, BYU hit the road and handled East Carolina 34-13, then gutted out a close 24-21 win at Colorado. Most recently, they took care of business against West Virginia, winning 38-24 in Provo. With each win, the Cougars climbed higher in the national rankings and solidified their reputation as a team to watch in the Big 12.
Saturday’s game at Arizona was also notable for its broadcast exposure, with ESPN2 carrying the action live. For BYU fans unable to make the trip to Tucson, it was a chance to see how their team would handle adversity on the road—particularly with several starters missing and a star linebacker’s status up in the air. The Cougars’ schedule doesn’t get any easier from here, either. After Arizona, they’re set to host archrival Utah in Provo, travel to face Iowa State, and then take on Texas Tech, TCU, Cincinnati, and UCF in a challenging November stretch.
Speaking of Utah, the Utes had their own share of pregame drama on Saturday night as they prepared to host No. 21 Arizona State at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. This Big 12 showdown was circled on the calendar for weeks, but Mother Nature had other plans. As thunderstorms rolled through the Wasatch Front, the Utah athletic department announced a delay to pregame festivities. Warmups, originally scheduled for 7:20 p.m. MT, were pushed back to at least 7:50 p.m. due to lightning in the area.
Lightning delays are no joke in college football, and the NCAA has strict rules to protect players and fans. According to those rules, play must be suspended whenever lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium, and no one can return to the field until 30 minutes have passed since the last detected strike. For the Utes and Sun Devils, that meant more time in the locker room and a tense wait to see when—or if—the game would get underway.
Eventually, officials set a new kickoff time of 8:25 p.m. MT, giving both teams a chance to get in their full warmups once the weather cleared. Utah’s specialists were spotted on the field, going through their routines, while Arizona State’s squad completed its own pregame preparations. The delay added a layer of unpredictability to what was already a high-stakes contest, with both teams eager to make a statement in Big 12 play.
For Utah, the matchup represented an opportunity to build momentum against a ranked conference opponent. The Utes have a storied tradition of rising to the occasion at Rice-Eccles, but any disruption in routine—especially one caused by weather—can throw even the most disciplined teams off their game. Fans packed the stands, braving the elements and hoping the storm would pass quickly. The anticipation only grew as the clock ticked closer to the rescheduled kickoff time.
As the night wore on, attention remained fixed on both games. Would BYU’s defense hold strong if Jack Kelly couldn’t go? Could the Cougars overcome the absence of key contributors and keep their undefeated run alive on the road? And in Salt Lake City, would the Utes shake off the weather delay and match Arizona State’s energy from the opening whistle?
These are the kinds of questions that make college football so captivating. Every game is a story, and sometimes the most compelling chapters are written before the opening kickoff. The combination of last-minute lineup decisions, weather delays, and high-stakes conference matchups created a Saturday night full of suspense for fans across Utah and Arizona.
As of press time, action was underway in both Tucson and Salt Lake City, with the outcomes still very much in doubt. Regardless of how the games ultimately unfold, one thing is certain: the Big 12’s newest members are making headlines, and the road to the conference title is shaping up to be as unpredictable as ever. Fans will be watching closely as the season continues, eager to see which teams rise to the challenge and which players step up when their number is called.
For now, all eyes remain on the field—and the sky—waiting to see what twists and turns the night will bring.
