BYU Begins Preparing Campus For Rivalry Game

PROVO, Utah – BYU Police are already gearing up to make sure fans, regardless of who they are rooting for, keep their emotions in check during the BYU-Utah rivalry football game.

“There are definitely good ways and bad ways to show support for your teams and we’d like to see everybody do it the good way,” said Lieutenant Steven Messick with the BYU Police Department.

Two years ago, four people were caught vandalizing the cougar outside of the stadium on the morning of the game. Campus police said fans from both teams have done better in recent years, keeping rivalry pranks from crossing the line.

“We obviously want everyone to be safe to have a great time but to be somewhat considerate of those around them,” Messick added.

Ahead of the big game, blue seems to be everywhere you look on the BYU campus this week – but we found one student who had some explaining to do.

“Yeah, I didn’t realize I was wearing red this week, but I’ll probably change my shirt at some point,” said Noah Horan.

Call it a freshman mistake, but other students on campus noticed.

“Everyone loves a good rivalry it’s a chance to get together and just root for your home team,” said BYU student Amoree Wagner.

Fans this year will get to enjoy new stadium improvements for the first time, with more access and space to all sections of the seating area and yes, free WiFi.

BYU fans said they are looking forward to the filling the stadium with energy for the Cougars’ season and home opener.

“Since it is such, like, a big rivalry game, there should be a lot of people there which means that it’s going to be off the charts,” Wagner said.

The game kicks off Thursday night at 8:15 p.m.