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BYU coach Kalani Sitake and Cougar players talk about the team's Big 12 opening win over Arizona.
Brandon Judd
By Brandon Judd
Brandon covers sports for the Deseret News, with an emphasis on the University of Utah and the NFL.

Saturday’s game between BYU and Arizona was billed as one of the most important games to the Big 12 race this season.

That’s heady stuff, considering it was happening in Week 2 of the season.

Still, the Cougars and Wildcats are expected to be among the top contenders for the Big 12 title this year, and the early season tilt would give the winner an early leg up in the conference race.

As it turned out, BYU earned that advantage, rallying from a halftime deficit to beat Arizona 28-17 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

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The much-hyped matchup lived up to the billing, with the hometown Cougars fending off a challenging game plan from the Wildcats.

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Take a look back at the sights and sounds from Saturday’s contest, and what BYU coach Kalani Sitake and his players had to say after the victory in the video above.

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BYU Cougars wide receiver Reggie Frischknecht (18) celebrates a touchdown with his teammates during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats tight end Shane King (8) catches the ball for a touchdown during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) catches the ball during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats tight end Shane King (8) dances with his teammate Tre Spivey (12) after scoring a touchdown during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back Lj Martin (4) pushes the pile forward as he runs with the ball during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats tight end Cole Rusk (14) catches the ball during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) throws the ball to his wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III (84) during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) dives for a first down during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back Lj Martin (4) runs with the ball during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake speaks into his headset during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back Lj Martin (4) runs with the ball during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats tight end Cole Rusk (14) is overthrown during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) makes a leaping pass during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Leroy Palu (95) sacks BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) during a football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan encourages his players during a timeout at a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan yells at a referee during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars defensive lineman Tausili Akana (13) sacks Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) during a football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats tight end Cole Rusk (14) runs with the ball during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats tight end Cole Rusk (14) runs with the ball during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) throws the ball during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Leroy Palu (95) celebrates a sack during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats running back Quincy Craig (24) is then down by BYU Cougars defensive end Braxton Lindsey (30) during a football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Arizona Wildcats running back Kedrick Reescano (3) runs with the ball during a football game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Reggie Frischknecht (18) crosses into the end zone during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars tight end Roger Saleapaga II (2) bobbles a pass during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander (1) celebrates after defending a reception during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars tight end Roger Saleapaga II (2) tries to obtain possession of a bobbled catch while defenders prowl to intercept the ball during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake high-fives fans during the Cougar Walk ahead of a football game against the Arizona Wildcats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Two girls sit on their father’s shoulders during the Cougar Walk ahead of a football game against the Arizona Wildcats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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The BYU marching band marches through fans during the Cougar Walk before a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up before a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up before a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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