And that was certainly the case during BYU’s heart-breaking 28-20 loss to undefeated Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday.

Four turnovers yielded, all of which came by way of Cougar quarterback Bear Bachmeier throwing interceptions played enormous in the final outcome coupled with Bachmeier’s counterpart, Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, making several standout plays late proved to be the story of the game.

“Congratulations to Utah for the win,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake. “I thought it was going to be closer, … but you have to give Utah a lot of credit for making plays, and we didn’t we didn’t make enough. And so that’s my job as head coach. We didn’t start out fast in the first half and then (again) in the second half and it’s my responsibility to get these guys playing at a higher level.”

For the game Bachmeier went 21-35 through the air for 272 yards a touchdown and, most critically four interceptions. He also ran for 59 yards on eight carries, although that was superseded by Dampier’s 111 yards on 22 carries, which included two touchdown runs and more than several back-breaking scrambles out of the pocket for big-gainers during critical situations. The Ute signal-caller also completed two touchdown passes on 14-26 passing for 177 yards.

As for Bachmeier’s four interceptions, the first one came with just under a minute remaining in the first half with BYU holding a 20-14 lead and poised to take a two touchdown lead into the locker room and then set up to receive the opening second half kickoff. But just as he’s done over the past three games played, Bachmeier made an ill-advised and inaccurate throw that was picked off by Utah at its own 15 yard line.

“I thought that even if we were super conservative we could have just kicked the field goal to go up two scores, and that would have been uh good for us,” Sitake said. ” … I can’t put that all on Bear. I mean we control the calls, you know? So maybe (playing) conservative would have been nice.”

BYU proceeded to put together a promising drive on the second half’s opening possession prior to Bachmeier throwing his second interception just as the Cougars had moved the ball past midfield, again squandering a prime opportunity to go up by two scores.

The remainder of the third quarter was an exercise in ineptness by a Cougar offense that accounted for exactly zero yards gained on their two next possessions. Not helping matters was again another ineffective running attack although the game did mark the return of LJ Martin to the lineup, although the reigning Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year only managed to gain 19 yards on seven carries while providing almost no impact on the overall course of play.

For the game BYU’s running backs, which consisted of just Martin and Sione Moa, who himself is battling through injury, accounted for just 56 yards on 17 carries.

Due to the lack of an effective running attack, it was up to Bachmeier to do most of the heavy lifting, and while he’s been able to shoulder the load throughout most of his young career, Saturday’s loss proved a different story with Sitake quick to credit Utah.

“I think they made some really good plays on the ball,” Sitake assessed. “So I have to I have to kind of look at it and watch see the reasons, see it from their perspective, but I think he’s been really hard on himself and I think it’s okay, you know? This defense is one of the best defenses in the country and the scheme and the system works really well.”

Bachmeier’s third interception thrown proved to be particularly impactful. With BYU still managing to trail just 28-20, the sophomore signal-caller managed to drive the Cougars clear to Utah’s 2-yard line and a 3rd-and-goal situation with just under five minutes remaining in regulation. But just as BYU receiver Kyler Kasper broke wide-open in the endzone on a slant pattern, Utah linebacker Trey Reynolds dropped just enough in coverage, left up high and snared down the ball to prevent what could have been a game-tying touchdown.

“If you’re going to be aggressive in the pass game then you’re you’re going to have to live with some of those mistakes. And unfortunately, they made they made a lot of really good plays on the ball,” Sitake said. “I know how (Utah coach) Morgan (Scalley) and … those guys prep those guys, so … I know those guys do a great job with with with their technique and in executing the scheme.”

Bachmeier did have his standout moments, however, and particularly early in the second quarter when he hit BYU receiver Legend Glasker with a perfectly-placed 75-yard bomb that went for a touchdown and closed Utah’s lead to 14-13.

“I knew heard the play call, I kind of knew it was coming, so I just ran fast and bear through a great ball,” Glasker said.

Bachmeier’s final interception was thrown with 13 seconds remaining on a bomb thrown into the endzone in hopes of securing a miracle comeback that was not to come this time around.

With the loss BYU drops to 7-2 on the season with three games remaining while Utah improves to 9-0. And although Saturday’s loss hampers BYU’s potential berth into the Big 12 Championship Game, not to mention a potential College Football Playoff invite, coaches and players are determined to put it behind them, hope for the best, and work to control what they can.

“It’s college football, man, and it’s great. It’s great to be part of the victories and and it’s difficult during the defeats, but I still thankful and still have a lot of gratitude and appreciation that I get to be in this position, as the head coach, and get to be in these type of games,” Sitake concluded. ” … We just got to find ways to to improve and find ways to focus on our identity and be better. So that’s from all of us, myself, the other coaches and and and the team. But the guys didn’t give up, and we can build off of that.”