While Legend Glasker and the offense provided the fireworks for the season opener, BYU’s defense quietly played a lights-out game. Utah Tech was a completely overmatched opponent, so a 56-point win is what is expected in a game like this. The numbers were in BYU’s favor for the entire contest, too.
The Cougars' rushing defense allowed only 126.3 yards per game in 2024, and that was 13th best in college football that year. In 2025, they allowed 122.7 yards per game, and that was 32nd in the nation. Against Utah Tech, they only allowed 49 total rushing yards. BYU was good against the pass in those seasons, too. In 2024, they allowed 182.5 yards per game, and that was 20th in all of college football. Last year, they allowed 209.7 yards, which was a modest 49th overall. They held the Trailblazers to 135 yards in the air.
A staple of BYU’s good defenses has been their ability to force turnovers. In 2024, they forced 28 turnovers, 2.15 per game, and that was second-best in all of college football. In 2025, they forced 24 turnovers, 1.85 per game, which was 18th in the nation. In their victory over Utah Tech, BYU forced four turnovers (three interceptions and one fumble). Where BYU does in the two most important statistics shows their strength.
In 2024, they allowed 308.8 total yards per game, which was 18th in the country. In 2025, they allowed 332.4 total yards per game, and that was 35th in college football. BYU’s scoring defense was even better. In 2024, they allowed only 19.6 points per game, which was 18th best in the FBS. 2025 was almost the same, allowing 19.1 points per game, and that was 19th best in college football. They gave up only 184 total yards to the Trailblazers and held them to seven points.
BYU has thrived with back-to-back top-20 scoring defenses. Veterans like Evan Johnson and Therrian Alexander III were big parts of both those seasons and are big parts of this year’s defense. They both had interceptions against Utah Tech, and they were spectacular interceptions.
Shmev! Pick! Looked back for the ball and made a heck of a play!!! Evan Johnson is elite! https://t.co/SOot8ECWEC
— Phillip Riggs (@phillipriggs85) September 6, 2026
The Cougars may have a new defensive coordinator in Kelly Poppinga, but he’s not new to the team. They’ve worked with him on the defense and special teams for years. He should be more than an adequate replacement for Jay Hill, and probably wouldn’t leave Provo for the dirtiest team in college football.
While Hill earned a lot of praise for how good BYU’s defenses have been the past two seasons, it’s important to remember that he built them under the direction of Kalani Sitake, and he is still here. BYU’s head coach deserves as much, and maybe more, credit than even his talented former defensive coordinator.
Arizona will be a tough test for them next week. Last year, they allowed 383 yards, 27 points, and forced only one turnover against the Wildcats. Still, they came away with a double-overtime victory on the road. They will very much miss Raider Damuni, but playing in front of a home crowd should help them as they open Big 12 play against a tough opponent for any defense.
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