Analysis: Turnovers, missed tackles and lack of discipline cost No. 9 BYU a chance to upset No. 3 Utah

BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) falls short of a touchdown during the first half of a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News A lot of numbers were thrown around before No. 9 BYU traveled to No. 3 Utah in the most significant football rivalry game in the long, heated and often tumultuous series between the Beehive State foes.When it was over in front of 52,901 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, only one digit really stood out.That would be four.The upset-minded Cougars blew a rare opportunity to get a win in Salt Lake City, get their College Football Playoff hopes back on track and snap their rivals’ nation-best winning streak on Saturday afternoon. The number everybody on the blue side will remember is the four turnovers BYU committed against a ballhawking Utah defense that was otherwise pushed around most of the day.So the undefeated Utes ran off with a 28-20 victory — snapping the Cougars’ three-game winning streak against them — and put what was once the most-anticipated season in school history on life support.Although BYU head coach Kalani Sitake wouldn’t dare say it himself — preferring to heap praise upon the Utes than say the Cougars simply committed far too many turnovers and mental mistakes to win — the truth is that BYU faltered in the second half, while Utah soared.The Utes had the clutch gene in beating the Cougars for the first time since 2019, and BYU did not. The Cougars got away with an awful second half in their 28-24 win over then-No. 2 Notre Dame that now seems like a distant memory, but that kind of failure never works in this rivalry. Neither team is ever out of the games in this wild and wacky rivalry.Leave it to BYU freshman Legend Glasker to sum up what happened to the Cougars (4-2, 7-2), who must now win out and hope that either Houston or Texas Tech loses down the stretch.“I feel like the second half we got too big-headed and thought the game was ours and it just slipped away,” he said. Utah Utes fans celebrates their team’s 28-20 win over over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley celebrates his team’s 28-20 win over over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, left, embraces Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley after the Utes defeated the Cougars 28-20 in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes safety Davis Andrews (12) celebrates his team’s 28-20 win over over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrates their team’s 28-20 win over over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes safety Jackson Bennee (23) celebrates his team’s 28-20 win over over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrates their team’s 28-20 win over over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes safety Nate Tilmon (21) celebrates his team’s 28-20 win over over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes safety Davis Andrews (12) celebrates his team’s 28-20 win over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrate on the field after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley puts up a “U” after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes players celebrate after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Fans celebrate behind Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley is interviewed after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans and players run on the field as they celebrate after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans and players run on the field as they celebrate after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrate on the field after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrate on the field after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans prepare to rush the field just before the Utah Utes win against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrate on the field after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrate on the field after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrate on the field after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes defensive tackle Karson Kaufusi (51) walks off the field surrounded by fans after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes wide receiver Nate Johnson (3) celebrates his team’s 28-20 win over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Swoop and Utah Utes fans celebrate on the field after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrate on the field after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrate on the field after the Utah Utes won against the BYU Cougars in a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley celebrates his team’s 28-20 win over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrates their team’s 28-20 win over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrates their team’s 28-20 win over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans celebrate their team’s 28-20 win over the BYU Cougars in a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes wide receiver Creed Whittemore (2) misses a pass in the end zone defended by BYU Cougars cornerback Cannon DeVries (32) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) loses control of the ball during a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans cheer during a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) scores a touchdown during a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) jumps over BYU Cougars players during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars fans sit among Utah Utes fans during the second half of a football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes wide receiver Creed Whittemore (2) misses a pass in the end zone defended by BYU Cougars cornerback Cannon DeVries (32) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) runs down the field during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes wide receiver Creed Whittemore (2) misses a pass in the end zone defended by BYU Cougars cornerback Cannon DeVries (32) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars and Utah Utes fans look up during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) runs down the field during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) celebrates after running in a touchdown during the second half of a football game against the BYU Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs in a touchdown during the second half of a football game against the BYU Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News BYU Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander (1) is checked for injury during the second half of a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) throws during the second half of a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) throws during the second half of a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes kicker Dillon Curtis (17) kicks a field goal during the second half of a football game against the BYU Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) celebrates after running in a touchdown during the second half of a football game against the BYU Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans cheer during a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake coaches during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) runs the ball down the field during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) scores a touchdown during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) falls short of a touchdown during the first half of a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News BYU Cougars running back Logan Payne (38) runs on the field before a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) puts his helmet on before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans cheer during a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars defensive end Bodie Schoonover (48) defends Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans cheer during a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News A Utah Utes fan cheers during a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars running back Logan Payne (38) cheers during a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) takes the field for football game against the BYU Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley gestures toward the Utah Utes fans before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4), center, warms up before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) warms up before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars safety Raider Damuni (3) fails to tackle Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) as he scores a touchdown during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) warms up before a football game against the BYU Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) warms up before a football game against the BYU Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News *BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up before a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News *BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up before a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News *BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up before a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News *BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up before a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News *BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up before a football game against the Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Football fans wait for players to arrive before a game between the BYU Cougars and Utah Utes, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans greet players as they arrive before a game against the BYU Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley arrives before a game against the BYU Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. | Erin Hooley, Deseret News University of Utah president Taylor Randall hands out towels before Utah Utes players arrive before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans arrive before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans wait to see the Utah Utes players arrive before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News BYU Cougars fans cheer as BYU Cougars players arrive before a football game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes tight end Noah Bennee (89) and his brother Utah Utes safety Jackson Bennee (23) arrive before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) arrives before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes head coach Morgan Scalley arrives before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) arrives before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Utes fans arrive before a football game against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Actually, it was snatched away by an opportunistic Utah defense that intercepted sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier four times, including on the last play of the game, a desperation heave to the end zone that looked like it was going to find Kyler Kasper before Utah’s Nate Ritchie — a Utah County native — stepped in front of it.“This game sucks,” said BYU defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa, a former Ute. “It’s piercing my heart right now.”Ritchie’s pick wasn’t the first one in which Bachmeier, who was outplayed by his Utah counterpart, Devon Dampier, thought he had Kasper open for a touchdown only to watch a Ute step in front of his offering.With the Cougars trailing 28-20 and Bachmeier having moved the team to the Utah 3, Ute Trey Reynolds made the defensive play of the game, stepping in front of a pass on third and 2.“Utah made the plays and we didn’t,” Sitake said. “… I will probably be pounding the pavement when I watch the film.”Reynolds’ pick came three plays after Bachmeier had rushed 19 yards to the Utah 5; It appeared the burly QB had a route to the end zone, but he cut back and into a Utah defender.Bachmeier was not made available for interviews after the game, which is not uncommon.“He’s hurting,” said Tanuvasa, whose wife Zeren is expecting a baby this weekend. “He feels like he let everyone down. He puts his heart on the line for this team.”Bachmeier actually played well in the first half, and led the Cougars on four straight scoring drives to give the visitors a 20-14 lead after the Utes had taken a 14-0 advantage with an early offensive blitz that seemed to suggest it was going to be a long day for BYU’s defense.Bachmeier’s 75-yard touchdown strike to Glasker early in the second quarter was a thing of beauty and cut Utah’s lead to 14-13 with 13:17 remaining until halftime. Then he threw a couple of strikes to Walker Lyons before LJ Martin ran five yards for a TD.Martin, a game-time decision, had seven carries for 19 yards and one catch for five yards and was not a big factor. For that matter, neither was star Ute RB Wayshawn Parker, who picked up only 36 yards on 14 attempts.Nope, this game was won by the Utes (6-0, 9-0) because the senior Dampier outplayed the sophomore Bachmeier in the second half.For the third straight time late in a first half, Bachmeier threw an interception that ended up costing the Cougars dearly. With a 20-14 lead, BYU was in outstanding shape when Dampier fumbled at his own 20 — about the only mistake he made all day — and Nusi Taumoepeau pounced on the loose pigskin.However, Utah’s James Chenault Jr. made interception No. 1 on the day, and instead of going into halftime with a two-score lead, BYU had to settle for a six-point advantage. Momentum is huge in college football, and the Cougars gave it away on a silver platter at a place where it is not often given back.“I’ve coached here, and they have the longest winning streak in college football for a reason,” Sitake said. “It’s hard to come here and get a win. They are one of the best teams in the country.”BYU was looking like that three weeks ago, storming the field at LaVell Edwards Stadium after knocking off the Irish. Since then, the Cougars have been on the wrong side of the stormings, as Utah fans duplicated what UCF did two weeks ago.Turnovers weren’t the only culprit.Once again, BYU had a nightmarish third quarter, as Bachmeier opened the period with a nice 27-yard pass to Kasper, but on the next play didn’t see defensive end Lance Holtzclaw and threw it right to him.Other mistakes in the third quarter included safety Raider Damuni’s failure to beat Dampier for a jump ball-type pass by Creed Whittemore on fourth and 1 that went for 17 yards, a shanked 33-yard punt that set up the Utes’ go-ahead touchdown with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter and more missed tackles — reminiscent of the UCF game.The most costly missed tackle came a play before Dampier threw a 12-yard TD strike to Braden Pegan; On third and 7, Dampier made Isaiah Glasker miss and scampered nine yards for the first down. “I mean, he’s a good player,” said Cougars defensive end Bodie Schoonover when asked why it was so hard to tackle Dampier. “He’s a good quarterback. He runs hard, he knows how to get to the gaps and if we’re not being disciplined in our containment, he will take advantage of that.”On BYU’s next possession, tight end Lyons (seven catches, 97 yards) and Jojo Phillips dropped passes on consecutive throws, and the Cougars had to punt. Their lack of discipline, which hurt them at UCF and kept a couple of other games from being runaways that they should have been, reared its ugly head on the drive that put it away for the Utes.After Dampier (20 carries, 87 yards) scampered for 30 yards on second and 9, BYU safety Faletau Satuala hit him late while he was going out of bounds, tacking on 15 more yards. Three plays later, on third and 8, the Cougars seemingly had forced a field goal when Dampier’s pass was off target. However, BYU’s Jayven Williams was flagged for defensive pass interference, and three plays later Dampier found the end zone, making it 28-20.So the Cougars lost despite mostly winning in the trenches. To wit, BYU had 11 tackles for loss, Utah zero. The Cougars had 391 yards of offense, the Utes 328. This one will long be remembered in Provo as the one that got away. “Too many mistakes,” Sitake said. “Too many mistakes.”And then there was BYU’s start — largely forgotten after the way the Cougars scored on four straight possessions to take the lead.Utah had 138 yards in its first seven plays and scored two touchdowns before BYU’s guys’ alarm clocks went off after the 10 a.m. kickoff. It seemed to be heading toward that 2008 Ute victory at Rice-Eccles in which the Cougars looked overwhelmed.But credit BYU for bouncing back when the crowd was at full-throat and thoughts of 54-10 danced through Utah’s minds. Sitake declined to blame the early start for the Cougars’ first-quarter woes.“I think at the beginning of the game, their speed got to us in terms of how quick they were executing and how efficient and effective they were,” Sitake said.Another early moment overlooked at the end: BYU had apparently picked up a first down on fourth and 1 from the Utah 7, but was flagged for delay of game and had to settle for a 31-yard field goal by Matthias Dunn. Did nobody on the sideline see the clock winding down?It was that kind of day for the Cougars, an opportunity lost, along with four incredibly costly turnovers.