TRENDING College football updates Valkyries even WNBA Finals Kimi Antonelli on US GP pole NFL injury updates Brewers take Game 1 Story by Story by 'Holy (expletive)': Officials' penalties dominate end of BYU-UCF game Austin Curtright, USA TODAY Sat, October 24, 2026 at 11:56 PM UTC · 2 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No. 2 BYU, looking to avoid falling victim to a trap game against UCF after its upset win over Notre Dame last week, got a potentially lucky break against the Knights after a wild ending to regulation.
The Cougars, however, were on the opposite end of a similar call in double overtime that ultimately cost them in a 39-31 loss to Scott Frost and the Knights.
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BYU blocked Will Stone's potentially game-winning kick with 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but the ball was recovered and advanced by Stone. The blocked kick was also attempted on third down, which theoretically should've given UCF another chance at kicking a game-winning field goal, if it had enough time.
However, Stone's helmet completely came off when he recovered and ran the ball forward for 2 yards. His helmet coming off stopped the clock but, after much debate from the officials, they decided to pick up a flag for a facemask by BYU , determining there was no foul.
Because of that, UCF did not get 15 yards and an untimed down to end the game in regulation. The runoff ultimately ended in the game heading to overtime.
Bear Bachmeier and unbeaten BYU stunned Notre Dame 28-24 , ending the Irish's path to the No. 1 ranking. Relive the biggest plays, celebrations and reactions from the Cougars' statement victory. Above, Bear Bachmeier of the Brigham Young Cougars warms up before their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Kyler Kasper (3) makes a catch against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Bear Bachmeier of the Brigham Young Cougars is lifted by Bruce Mitchell and Kyle Sfarcioc #64 after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) A Brigham Young Cougars cheerleader performs before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Jojo Phillips makes a catch against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars safety Matthias Leach reacts during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars running back Preston Rex runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Raider Damuni of the Brigham Young Cougars celebrates breaking up a pass play against James Flanigan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) Brigham Young Cougars offensive line Siosiua Latu-Finau celebrates after a touchdown by quarterback Bear Bachmeier (not pictured) during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Braxton Lindsey celebrates after a play during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier passes against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars cheerleaders celebrate with flags on the field during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars fans celebrate after the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Bear Bachmeier and unbeaten BYU stunned Notre Dame 28-24 , ending the Irish's path to the No. 1 ranking. Relive the biggest plays, celebrations and reactions from the Cougars' statement victory. Above, Bear Bachmeier of the Brigham Young Cougars warms up before their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 1 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Bear Bachmeier and unbeaten BYU stunned Notre Dame 28-24 , ending the Irish's path to the No. 1 ranking. Relive the biggest plays, celebrations and reactions from the Cougars' statement victory. Above, Bear Bachmeier of the Brigham Young Cougars warms up before their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 2 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 5 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Kyler Kasper (3) makes a catch against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 6 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Bear Bachmeier of the Brigham Young Cougars is lifted by Bruce Mitchell and Kyle Sfarcioc #64 after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 7 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking A Brigham Young Cougars cheerleader performs before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 8 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Jojo Phillips makes a catch against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 9 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars safety Matthias Leach reacts during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 10 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars running back Preston Rex runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 11 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Raider Damuni of the Brigham Young Cougars celebrates breaking up a pass play against James Flanigan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 12 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars offensive line Siosiua Latu-Finau celebrates after a touchdown by quarterback Bear Bachmeier (not pictured) during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 13 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Braxton Lindsey celebrates after a play during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 14 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier passes against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 15 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars cheerleaders celebrate with flags on the field during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 16 / 16 BYU stuns Notre Dame to deny Irish's bid for top college football ranking Brigham Young Cougars fans celebrate after the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) "Holy (expletive)," BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier mouthed on the Fox broadcast after officials announced the game was heading to overtime.
Fox Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira, speaking on the ruling, said that had officials enforced the facemask penalty, it would have given UCF another down.
Ironically, it was another penalty on UCF's kicker that helped Frost and Co. to the win over BYU. Following a successful field goal in the second overtime period, officials called BYU defensive end Kendal Wall for roughing the kicker after he fell into him, giving the Knights a fresh set of downs.
Fox announcers did not agree with the call on the field:
UCF took advantage of its opportunity, scoring a touchdown and ensuing 2-point conversion. Bear Bachmeier and Co. couldn't match the Knights on their ensuing drive, as the QB's pass fell incomplete on fourth-and-goal.
With that, UCF strolled out of Provo, Utah, with a massive double-overtime win — though they may have preferred it in regulation.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Holy (expletive)': Officials' penalties dominate end of BYU-UCF game
Source: Sports
