BYU’s 41-21 win over UCF on Saturday wasn’t just another notch in the win column-it was a statement game, and one that drew high praise from the opposing sideline. UCF head coach Scott Frost didn’t hold back when asked about the Cougars and their leader, Kalani Sitake.
“I thought the fight today was a good fight against a really good team,” Frost said postgame. “They’re a class act like Coach Sitake-he’s one of the good guys in the business.”
That kind of respect doesn’t come easy in college football, where reputations are built over years and tested every Saturday. Sitake has earned his.
Frost called him “genuine” and someone who “stands for the right things.” And after guiding BYU to the Big 12 Championship Game, it’s clear the results are matching the character.
Sitake’s résumé continues to grow. With the win, he improved to 83-44 as head coach-a winning percentage north of 65%.
But it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the journey.
He’s led BYU from the final years of independence into the rugged terrain of the Big 12. After a 5-7 debut season in the conference, Sitake and his staff didn’t just regroup-they reloaded.
Back-to-back double-digit win seasons followed, and this year marks the fourth time under his leadership that BYU has hit the 10-win mark.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing. Like any coach, Sitake’s early years had their growing pains-there were a few head-scratchers, like that infamous fake punt on 3rd and 18 from deep in their own territory against Boise State.
But what’s impressive is how he’s evolved. These days, Sitake looks like a coach who’s completely at ease in his role.
He’s become a steady presence, much like the mentors who shaped him-LaVell Edwards and Kyle Whittingham.
That poise was on full display against UCF. After falling behind 14-0 early, Cougar fans may have been sweating, but the team wasn’t.
Sitake and his staff didn’t flinch. Instead, they adjusted, regrouped, and outscored UCF 41-7 the rest of the way.
That’s not just game management-that’s culture.
And speaking of culture, Sitake’s teams play with a noticeable joy. It’s not just about winning-it’s about the experience.
The energy between the third and fourth quarters at LaVell Edwards Stadium, with players bouncing to music and connecting with fans, says a lot about the environment Sitake has built. It’s a program that competes hard and celebrates harder, especially with the student section feeding off that energy.
This season has been especially impressive considering the Cougars lost quarterback Jake Retzlaff to Tulane. In stepped true freshman Bear Bachmeier, and instead of just managing the offense, he thrived.
That doesn’t happen without a coaching staff that knows how to develop talent and put players in positions to succeed-immediately. Now, BYU is just one win away from securing an automatic bid into the College Football Playoff.
That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen without rock-solid leadership from the top.
But Saturday’s game wasn’t just about the scoreboard-it was about legacy, too. Before kickoff, longtime BYU supporter Keith Howard Mason was honored with the ceremonial lighting of the Y.
At 89 years old, Mason has been a fixture at Cougar home games for over six decades, attending 373 straight. That includes 53 years working on the chain crew.
Saturday’s moment was a full-circle tribute to someone who’s lived and breathed BYU football longer than most fans have been alive.
“It was one of the biggest highlights of his life,” said his daughter, Merilee Mason. Family members drove in from across the West to witness the moment.
“We just couldn’t be prouder of Dad,” she added. “We have an attitude of gratitude.”
On the field, one of the biggest sparks came from Parker Kingston, who had himself a day. The redshirt junior broke the game open with a 55-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter, his third career return TD and first of the season.
It was a statement moment for Kingston, who had lost his return duties earlier in the year due to a couple of fumbles. But he earned the job back-and made it count.
Kingston’s return was vintage: straight up the gut, slipping a diving tackle around the 40-yard line before shrugging off UCF punter Anthony Venneri and sprinting into the end zone. He also added 126 receiving yards, finishing with a career-high 181 all-purpose yards. That’s how you make a comeback.
Extra Points:
- BYU’s captains for the coin toss were Keanu Tanuvasa, Will Ferrin, Tanner Wall, and Jack Kelly.
- No alumni carried flags due to Senior Day, but current players stepped up: Talan Alfrey carried the U.S. flag, Enoch Nawahine had the Utah flag, and Kaufusi Pakofe carried the Big 12 flag.
Carsen Ryan, Jayden Dunlap, and Garrison Grimes carried team flags.
- BYU won the toss and deferred.
That decision paid off. After falling behind 14-0, BYU responded with 17 unanswered points to take a halftime lead.
They opened the second half with LJ Martin’s third touchdown of the day, then forced a punt-cue Kingston’s game-breaking return. In just eight minutes of game time, BYU flipped the script with 17 straight points and never looked back.
- Evan Johnson snagged his fourth interception of the season-sixth of his career-continuing BYU’s strong season in the takeaway department. The Cougars now rank 16th nationally in interceptions.
- Jack Kelly recorded his ninth sack of the season and forced his second fumble, which Raider Damuni recovered for his first career fumble recovery.
- Attendance was announced at 60,389, though the student section had some noticeable gaps, likely due to Thanksgiving break.
BYU’s win wasn’t just a result-it was a reflection of a program that’s grown up under Kalani Sitake. From overcoming early-season adversity to developing young talent and honoring long-time fans, Saturday was a showcase of what makes Cougar football special. And if this team keeps rolling, they might just find themselves playing for more than just pride in the weeks ahead.