Trailing against a rival with a minute of game time remaining isn't a favorable position for a football team, but BYU found themselves facing this exact situation against Utah on Saturday.
As time drained away moment by moment, and Jake Retzlaff's offense reached a 4th down and 10 situation in the shadow of their own endzone, Utah looked ready to finish the undefeated Cougs and tear up their runway to the college football playoff.
But in a moment that seemed hopeless, BYU's head coach Kalani Sitake knew that while some things are bigger than football, his team represented more. His team was playing for more. His team wanted it more.
BYU marched the ball down the field from their own 10-yard line and lined up a 44-yard field goal attempt for kicker Will Ferrin as the game clock drew nearer to expiration second by second. In a miraculous finish, the Cougars held to their undefeated record and added a 9th win to the tally.
And while the world halted in disbelief, Kalani Sitake stood relieved and reaffirmed.
"We talked about Helaman chapter five, verse twelve. You build a foundation and it will not fail. You guys are the foundation. The people that you represent who are here or are no longer here, you guys did a great job representing yourselves out there."
"It's important that we stay humble," the Cougars' coach announced with tears streaking down his cheek, "It's important that we love even our opponents. [...] How many guys didn't get a snap tonight? But did you guys do all the workouts? did you go through all the pain? The guys you're playing against? They believe in the same thing too, and that's why it's important to respect them and love 'em. Because LaVell gave me this feeling when I was a player for him. And everybody thought 'oh why would you do that, it seems kind of soft?' It's what tough guys do!"
I freaking love Kalani and I am so sorry for ever doubting him pic.twitter.com/HfGxeRiXDY
— retzlaff12_for_heisman (@mvp30_curry) November 12, 2024
Coach Sitake followed up that post-game thought with a personal example of the truth behind his declaration. "He taught me that lesson, and all I did was try to love everyone I could. Now they're here with me, and I call them my brothers. So who knows what can happen and the relationships you can have by just being kind and being Christ-like?"
Brigham Young University represents more when it takes the field. With every snap, with every play, and with every moment you see a stretch Y across a player's helmet, that player represents more than himself. That player represents more than his team. Every player represents the gospel, every player represents the church's mission.
When Utah's athletic director and head coach responded to adversity with anger, aggression, finger-pointing, and a complete lack of accountability for the result on the field, that showed their true character.
Seeing BYU battle for a last-second win over their rival and respond with love shows that the Cougars are playing for so much more than bragging rights and superiority. They play for their brothers, and their families, and a purpose that is greater than helmets and shoulder pads.
"That's the beauty of the gospel in football," Kalani concluded, "And that's what tough guys do."