Colorado State University (CSU) issued an apology on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, for derogatory chants directed at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university stated that mocking any faith has no place at the institution and noted the chants predominantly came from the student section before the game. BYU, based in Provo, Utah, is the flagship university for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The apology was released during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game in Fort Collins, where the 11th-ranked BYU Cougars defeated the CSU Rams 41-23. The school described the behavior as contrary to community values and stated that BYU players, coaches, and fans deserved better treatment. CSU officials said they are addressing the matter with their students.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake described the chants as the work of a minority of fans and said he would not judge an entire fan base by the actions of a few. Cougars running back LJ Martin, who rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns, stated that the noise from the crowd did not provide extra motivation. He noted that the environment became quieter as the team performed well on the field.
In September 2025, the University of Colorado was fined $50,000 by the Big 12 Conference for religious slurs and expletives directed at BYU fans. Similarly, Cincinnati's athletic director issued an apology in November 2025 for fan chants that included profanity directed at the church.