WATCH: BYU's Connor Pay has fitting reply to Cam Rising’s Holy War rivalry comments 

BYU Cougars offensive lineman Connor Pay responded to Utah Utes QB Cam Rising’s comments on the rivalry. The Utah star said he was focused on the Holy War rivalry game and wanted to defeat the Cougars this year.

“I just want to go down there and whoop their a** pretty much that’s all I’m focusing on,” he told reporters.

The BYU star, Connor Pay, said he wouldn't want it to be any other way.

“Wouldn't want it any other way man," Pay said in response. "You should feel that way going into every college football game. If you don't feel that way, you aren't a real competitor like, a lot of people view those like inflammatory.

"You don't think we go into every game wanting to kick the crap out of the other team? Like, that's the mentality you should have so we feel the same way."

The BYU-Utah rivalry is a well-known one in the world of college sports. It is known as the ‘Holy War’ since BYU falls under the LDS Church while Utah is a public university with a notable student base from the church. Both programs now compete in the Big 12 Conference.

Both teams last met in 2021, with BYU coming on top (26-17). They will play against each other in November.

Holy War rivalry, which prompted words between Cam Rising and Connor Pay

The Holy War rivalry dates back to 1896, when BYU first locked horns with Utah. Since then, it has become a crucial aspect of the tradition in both schools. Except for the three games they lost during 1896–97, Utah didn't lose a single game until 1942. The Cougars turned it around in 1972 when they got LaVell Edwards to coach the team.

So while the first 40 meetings saw the Utes dominate with a 32-4-4 record, BYU won 26 of the next 41 games. While Connor Pay would want that to continue, Cam Rising would want his final game in the rivalry to be memorable for Utah. Who will come on top this time?