In 2024, BYU kicker Will Ferrin cemented his name into BYU history when he nailed a game-winning 44-yard field goal to beat Utah in Salt Lake City for the first time since 2006.
It was one of the most important moments in the 128-year history of the BYU-Utah rivalry, and one of the most clutch field goals ever kicked by a Cougar.
After the game's end, the media salivated over the quotes — both good and ugly — from the post game press conferences.
Let's take a look at some of the other biggest kicks in "Holy War" history, and some of the best quotes from players, coaches and all people surrounding these iconic moments.
1993: Utah kicker Chris Yergensen nails a 55-yarder to beat BYU 34-31, marking the first Utah win in Provo in 22 years. Utah fans and players attempt to tear down the goal posts following the victory.
Utah vs BYU (1993) pic.twitter.com/aqyxH53u3V
— College Football Classics (@ClassicsCFB) January 4, 2021
Lenny Gomes, BYU defensive lineman:
"All those (Utes) think that's all there is to life. But when I'm making $50,000-$60,000 a year, they'll be pumping my gas. They're low-class losers."
Gomes in a 2004 Deseret News interview:
"I was all-conference three years, named the best defensive lineman at BYU, but what they remember me for, 10 years later, is that comment I made about Utah. If someone would just step up and make a stupid comment this year, then maybe [people] can go ahead and forget about me."
Chad Lewis, BYU tight end, ran onto the field after the game to stop Utah from tearing down BYU's goal posts:
“I buckled my chinstrap and sprinted into that group of players. I was not going to let that happen.”
Lewis in the same Deseret News interview:
"It's the best rivalry in America."
Mark Swanson, Utah defensive back on the Ron McBride Coach's Show:
"Our freshman year, when we were redshirts, we lost [to BYU] 70-31, and we vowed that would never happen to us as seniors."
1998: Utah kicker Ryan Kaneshiro misses a "gimme" potential game-winner from 32 yards out in Salt Lake City. BYU wins the game 26-24.
ESPN's color commentator right before Kaneshiro's attempt:
"The state, your family, your friends and everybody's going to be watching you. They want you to kick a field goal and be a hero."
ESPN's play by play after Kaneshiro's "doink":
"Ron McBride's prayers have not been answered."
Utah head coach Ron Mcbride:
"Chip shot field goal ... you gotta make those."
Kaneshiro in a 2019 Deseret News interview:
“It’s kind of cool to be a part of the history, even though it was negative. There are a lot of other kickers who participated in that history. And sure, they did their job. But ... they’re not mentioned. Because of my miss, my name is still brought up.”
Kaneshiro said he got overwhelming support after the miss:
"I remember even Rick Majerus called inviting me over to his place for pizza."
2010: Utah defensive back Brandon Burton blocks Mitch Payne's potential game-winning field goal attempt as the clock expires to clinch a 17-16 Utah victory.
Brandon Burton:
"When I felt something sting my hand, I didn't know if it was the cold air or the ball, but then I looked up and the ball was rolling and I said 'We got the win.' ... My hand hurts real bad, but it never felt so good."
Zane Taylor, Utah center:
"This is the definition of our rivalry."
Kyle Whittingham, Utah head coach:
"That's football and that's the way this series has gone,"
Jake Heaps, BYU quarterback:
"I was on my knees praying for it ... My heart just sank when I saw it all happen."
2012: Utah fans rush the field thinking they had won for the third year in a row, but there is still enough time for a BYU field goal. Justin Sorenson's 51-yard field goal attempt is blocked by Utah's Star Lotulelei, clinching a Utah win... but the fans rush the field prematurely again, setting up a field goal from 15 yards closer. This time, Riley Stephenson lines up to take the kick for BYU, but the 36-yarder clanks off the left goal post.
Referee Greg Burks in a 2021 interview with The Athletic, recalling his discussion with line judge Walt Coleman:
"[Walt] said, 'hey, I've got fans on the field again. You couldn't see from behind you, but the crowd was coming on the field. He had nowhere to go.' I said, 'You can talk if you want, but I've got to think this through for a second.'"
Burks in the same interview:
"I remember thinking, 'this is insane. Where's security? What's going on here?'"
Line Judge Scott Campbell to The Athletic:
"It felt like there was so much pressure and it took forever to come to a conclusion. We had fans cussing us out, threatening us while we're trying to make this decision. It felt like there was no real protection as far as game management security. It was just so uncomfortable."
Kyle Whittingham after the Utes moved to 2-1:
"We should be 4-1 because we won this game three times."
Jon Hays, Utah quarterback:
"I'll remember when I'm 85 and with Alzheimer's."
2024: After a game-altering defensive holding on 4th down gives the Cougars a second chance on the final drive, the offense sets up Will Ferrin for a field goal make that gives BYU the lead. On the ensuing kickoff and final play of the game, Utah athletic director Mark Harlan marches onto the field as boos and trash reign down at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Mark Harlan, Utah Athletic Director:
"This game was absolutely stolen from us. We were excited about being in the Big 12, but tonight I am not. We won this game, someone else stole it from us. Very disappointed. I will talk to the commissioner. This was not fair to our team. I am disgusted by the professionalism by the officiating crew tonight."
Kyle Whittingham:
"Im proud of our players. They battled, they should head their heads high. This loss is not on them."
Will Ferrin, BYU kicker:
"My first football memory is my dad explaining the 'Holy War.'... Substitute teachers would come in and I would raise my hand and ask if they were a BYU fan or a Utah fan."
Jake Retzlaff, BYU quarterback recalling the defensive holding on 4th down:
"When my back was in the end zone after going down, it wasn't a good feeling. Looking up and seeing that we had new life, the guys were confident."