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SALT LAKE CITY — BYU needed some late-game heroics, but the Cougars got it done in double overtime in Tucson to preserve an undefeated season and clinch a bowl game.
It's the first time in program history the Cougars have started 6-0 in back-to-back season with its 33-27 win over Arizona in the desert.
LJ Martin continued his great season and finished with a team-high 162 yards and one touchdown to help BYU to an impressive 258 rushing yards as a team. And Parker Kingston turned out another strong performance, leading the team with 117 receiving yards and one touchdown on just five catches.
A win looked in doubt late, but BYU got the job done; and as a result, the Cougars moved up in the latest Associated Press Top 25 rankings that were released Sunday afternoon ahead of a rivalry showdown at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday.
BYU moved up three spots to No. 15 after previously being ranked No. 18.
Joining the Cougars in the rankings this week is rival Utah, who dominated a Sam Leavitt-less Arizona State team. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier rushed for 120 and three touchdowns to lead the team to a 42-10 win on their home field.
Dampier is the first Utah QB since Travis Wilson in 2015 against Oregon to rush for over 100 yards in a game.
After a couple weeks out of the rankings, Utah moved in at No. 23, setting the stage for a ranked-on-ranked matchup on Saturday (6 p.m. MDT, FOX).
The two in-state opponents are part of four teams from the Big 12 ranked this week. Texas Tech continues to lead the conference at No. 7, up two spots following a dominant win over Kansas on Saturday. Cincinnati moves up to No. 24 this week.
Arizona State and Iowa State dropped out of the ranking following losses over the weekend, and no other teams are receiving votes from the Big 12.
Ohio State remains at the top of the rankings with 50 first-place votes after a win over a ranked Illinois team. Behind the Buckeyes remains No. 2 Miami, followed now by Indiana, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.
For the full rankings see below, or click here.
