As many of you know, Kalani Sitake...my nephew...is the head coach of the BYU Cougars. Long before he was leading a Top-15 college football team into battle, he was newly married, living in our basement, and joining me at the church gym at 5:30 AM three days a week for pickup basketball with the guys.

Those early mornings forged a special bond. We laughed. We competed. We even survived a few shoulder checks that felt more like defensive drills than church ball. Through it all, Kalani proved what he still shows the world today: he is a genuinely good man.







Fast forward to last week…

Kalani surprised me with four tickets to the BYU vs Utah “Holy War” — not just any tickets, but Row 36 on the 50-yard line at the biggest game of the year!






I invited three of my nephews, and we found ourselves sitting right in front of Kalani’s mom and her friends. Yahoo!! Thank you, Kalani! You’re too good!!







This rivalry game between undefeated #15 BYU and #18 Utah drew the biggest crowd Lavell Edwards Stadium (LES) has seen in over two decades. And let me tell you — it did not disappoint.

Needless to say, the game was a nail-biter. The players on both teams played to the best of their ability. Watching BYU score touchdowns was thrilling!






Our true Freshman quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, did whatever he had to do to win. In this case, he hurdles the defender to get extra yards.






That hurdle by Bear was epic and won't be forgotten any time soon!






With fire dancers, fireworks, and fire drones, the start of the 4th Quarter was...fire! There's nothing like it anywhere else in college football!

This touchdown was thrilling!! Go Cougs!

This come from behind touchdown by Bear to take the lead in the 4th quarter sent us into a tizzy! Just listen to the roar of the crowd on this play!

OH MY BEAR 🐻🔥😤@BYUfootball is HOTTTT! pic.twitter.com/dbnAzy0hgn

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2025

BYU fought hard to thwart Utah's attempt to regain the lead on their next drive.






But, unfortunately for those rascally Utes, BYU ended Utah's drive with this pick! What a play!!

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Since my knee is still recovering, we didn't storm the field but we still loved every minute of it. It was total pandemonium!!






The students even sent the President of the University crowd surfing!






Unforgettable!!

Kalani's message to the team in the locker room was right on point: stay humble...stay hungry! If he keeps it up with this humility thing...THEY...COULD...GO...ALL...THE...WAY!!!






In his post game interview, Kalani refers to the Pride Cycle and mentions the importance of staying humble. Do you remember the article about The Pride Cycle from last year's newsletter? He must be reading the posters that I made and hung on the bathroom stalls of the locker room! Yo bro!! Way to go, Kalani!!!






I'm not saying the organist played the BYU fight song in church the next morning...but I'm not saying she didn't. 😂

#iykyk Every Ward Should be playing this. 😉 pic.twitter.com/fkrGXPEN1b

— Brian Child (@BYUSportsCave) October 20, 2025

With a record of 7-0, BYU is now one of the few undefeated teams in the nation. BYU is now ranked #11 in the country.






We couldn't be happier with our true Freshman quarterback, Bear.






This Saturday, #11 BYU plays Iowa State and the head coach of that team couldn't be more complimentary to Kalani. Respect.

What a compliment for Kalani Sitake. pic.twitter.com/FxEP4woEPu

— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) October 21, 2025

Now that you know the whole story...enjoy the behind the scenes recap of the Holy War!!