Utah Governor Spencer Cox knows how to stir the pot. After BYU's thrilling victory over Notre Dame on Saturday night, Cox took to social media to issue a mock apology—one that had Irish fans laughing, rolling their eyes, or both.
In a post on X, Cox apologized for "the insufferable BYU fans" (himself included) and framed the celebration as "the greatest sign of respect." He called Notre Dame "the big brother and the gold standard" and even thanked them for the experience of visiting South Bend last year, calling it "a true football cathedral."
But the governor couldn't resist a little jab at the game's controversial ending. With one second left on the clock and the Irish driving, a pass from quarterback CJ Carr fell incomplete—but many felt the receiver was held and that time should have been left on the clock. The officials disagreed, and BYU walked away with the win.
"Oh, and sorry about not getting one last play," Cox wrote. "I would have enjoyed watching Carr sail another pass over his receiver…(am I doing it right?😂)"
The game itself was a classic. It marked the first top-10 matchup in the history of LaVell Edwards Stadium, and ESPN's College GameDay made its first trip to Provo in years. The primetime showdown lived up to the hype, with BYU taking the lead on a six-yard touchdown pass from Bear Bachmeier to Walker Lyons with under two minutes left.
Notre Dame responded with a 15-play, 67-yard drive, but the final play—an incomplete pass to Jaden Greathouse—left Irish fans fuming. The referees didn't see a hold or the extra second, and BYU secured the upset.
The win vaulted BYU to No. 2 in the nation, a stunning rise for a program that has often played second fiddle in its own state. Cox's playful apology is just the latest example of how much this victory meant to the Beehive State. And while some might see it as rubbing salt in the wound, others view it as a sign of respect. After all, as Cox noted, Notre Dame remains the standard—even in defeat.
For the Irish, the loss stings, but the season is far from over. They'll look to bounce back, and if Cox has his way, they'll win out. "We will be cheering for you the rest of the way," he wrote.
Whether the Irish appreciate the sentiment remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure: this isn't the last we've heard of this rivalry—or the governor's playful jabs.
