Police arrest a Utah fan who knocked out the BYU cheer coach after the Holy War

During the tense conclusion to the BYU-Utah game, chaos ensued when fans began throwing objects onto the field. Jocelyn Allan, who leads the BYU cheer team, was struck in the head by a water bottle, causing her to collapse. The alarming moment was captured on video, quickly spread on social media and sparked immediate outrage.

Allan shared her experience on social media, explaining that she briefly lost consciousness but was lowered safely to the ground by one of her cheerleaders. She reported that police were reviewing footage to determine the identity of the person responsible. Allan also urged anyone with information to come forward, highlighting her commitment to identifying the person who caused her injuries. The incident, which took place in a particularly intense rivalry game, brought into sharper focus the security problems at sporting events.

University of Utah police quickly intervened and later confirmed the arrest of 18-year-old William Gardner, who was charged with assault. Gardner, who is not affiliated with the University of Utah, was taken into custody and later released on his own recognizance. His actions were condemned by both universities, with fans and officials calling for accountability.

The timing of the incident is particularly notable as it occurred following controversial calls during the final moments of the game, adding to the tension between the two universities. Utah athletic director Mark Harlan publicly expressed his frustration with the referee, stating that he felt the game was unfairly taken away from Utah due to questionable calls. His comments led to a A $40,000 fine and a reprimand from the Big 12.

The combined events reflect the intense emotions that college sports can evoke. This incident reminds us of the importance of safety and sportsmanship, especially in rivalry matches where passions can quickly become dangerous.