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.
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.
BYU BLOCKS THE GAME-WINNING FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2026
We are going to overtime! pic.twitter.com/Avr33wn72x
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.
"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.
Here is the explanation on what happened at the end of the BYU / UCF game according to Mike Pereira. pic.twitter.com/JlKyEY5uM8
— Jet (@_jetgaming) October 24, 2026
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 kicks the field goal but BYU was called for a roughing the kicker penalty!
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2026
UCF will have it 1st and Goal pic.twitter.com/Yqmq9uw8O4
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 Orlando, Florida, 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
