Josh Dye (28) runs the ball for Southern Utah (Photo by Southern Utah Athletics)
BYU, Utah, and Southern Utah win big, and do so with big stars. Bear Bachmeier, Byrd Ficklin, and Josh Dye are standout players in the state of Utah who had a fantastic Week 9.
#2 BYU 8-0 (5-0 in the Big 12)
The Cardiac Cougars strike again. BYU had another slow start that required another epic comeback. The Cougars need to address that because you can only play with that fire so many times before you get burned. Still, despite injuries, BYU may be the most resilient team in college football. Their ‘Bear Raid’ offense is winning games, but hopefully, with this next week off, they’ll get more key pieces around Bear Bachmeier back in better health. Bachmeier had over 300 total yards and three total touchdowns, but you don’t want to keep needing epic games from him to win.
Utah 6-2 (3-2 in the Big 12)
The Utes wrecked Colorado. Utah overwhelmed them right out of the gate and right off the bat. The Utes ran all over Colorado. Backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin had a huge game filling in for Devon Dampier. Ficklin had 140 yards passing and two passing touchdowns. He was just as good running the ball, getting 151 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Could this lead to a quarterback controversy in Salt Lake City? It will be a question all week as Utah welcomes College Game Day and the 7-1 Cincinnati Bearcats to town this week.
Utah State 4-4 (2-2 in the Mountain West)
I thought Utah State would win against New Mexico. The Lobos, however, got their revenge on Bronco Mendenhall for leaving after last year. The New Mexico defense got to Bryson Barnes, their special teams returned a punt for a touchdown, and their offense totaled 407 yards. USU will try to rebound from the 33-14 loss next week against 1-7 Nevada in Logan
Weber State 3-5 (1-3 in the Big Sky)
The Wildcats were hoping to build off their third win last week to turn their season around. Eastern Washington was visiting Ogden, and it was ugly for WSU. Weber trailed 23-14 at the half. Their defense played better in the second, shutting Eastern Washington out, but their own turnovers doomed the Wildcats. Two interceptions and a fumble lost were the nails in the coffin for the Weber State loss. It was a valiant attempt, and they looked sharp while making it.
Utah Tech 1-7 (0-4 in the United Athletic Conference)
At this point, the Trailblazers couldn’t be blamed for just wanting the season to end. They lost their seventh game, and they did it at home. Tech is 4-27 since joining the United Athletic Conference, and they are 2-16 in conference play. To top it off, it was homecoming, and a loss to an in-state rival.
Southern Utah 3-5 (2-2 in the United Athletic Conference)
The Thunderbirds got their second straight win of the season. They clobbered Utah Tech, 28-7. Southern Utah was led by their star running back, Josh Dye. Dye ran all over the Trailblazers, rushing for 204 yards on 24 carries and scoring three touchdowns. This was the sixth time this season that Dye went over 150 yards rushing. SUU will need him to have another big day when they host #25 Austin Peay.
Steve Young Award Player of the Week
I went with the Southern Utah Thunderbirds’ running back, Josh Dye. Dye had over 200 yards and three touchdowns in SUU’s win over Utah Tech. Dye has been great for the Thunderbirds all season. So great that as a sophomore, he’ll probably get offers to go to FBS schools next year. Dye has 166 carries for 1,166 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, and he’s still got four games to go in 2025. A big game and a big win seemed like a good opportunity to recognize this great player.
Writer’s Note: All FBS team rankings referenced are from the College Football Power Rankings here at TheForkball.com. All FCS rankings are from the FCS STATS poll.
