Royal bests Navy in fifth annual Alumni Game

PROVO, Utah – BYU football welcomed former players for the fifth annual Alumni Game at LaVell Edwards Stadium Friday and true to tradition the game's outcome was still in question down to the final play.

The game capped off another Football Alumni Day when more than 350 former players and their families reunited throughout the day to celebrate BYU's unique bond and tradition. 

Players as far back as the early 1960s all the way to the current 2026 team all spent time together for a team meeting, lunch, tours and more as part of the Alumni Day festivities leading up to the game back under the lights of LaVell Edwards Stadium. 

Former BYU offensive coaching legend Norm Chow (1973-99) led Royal, while quarterback of the 1984 national championship team Robbie Bosco (1981-85) coached the Navy team.

Royal earned this year's victory, winning 29-22 in another classic that saw Navy threatening to score on the final play before Royal was able to hang on for the win.

Royal was quarterbacked by former Cougar signal callers John Walsh (1991-94) and Charlie Peterson (95, 98-01) while Navy relied on Steve Clements (1990-94).

Game Highlights
Royal got on the board first, picking off Navy on the opening possession of the game, worth two points via Alumni Game rules. Navy responded with its own interception, evening the score at 2-2.

Wide receiver Cody Hoffman (2009-13) earned the first touchdown of Friday’s contest, snagging a toe-tap catch in the back corner of the end zone. Wideout Aleva Hifo (2016-19) secured Royal’s first touchdown, followed by a one-point conversion and putting Royal ahead 9-8.

Royal intercepted another Navy pass and scored a touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half, with wide receiver Talmage Gunther (2019-23) hauling in the pass and extending its lead to 19-8.

After another Royal interception, Navy answered with a 47-yard touchdown from quarterbck Clements to wideout Dax Milne (2018-20) to start the fourth quarter, shrinking its deficit to 21-14. Royal receiver Colby Pearson (2013-16) quickly responded with a touchdown of his own and put Royal back up by double digits at 29-14.

The second-half shootout continued with wide receiver Mitch Matthews (2009, 12-15) catching a 50-50 ball in the end zone and moving the score to 29-20.

With Royal on the verge of scoring to secure the win in the final moments, Navy linebacker Ben Bywater (2019-23) picked off a pass in the end zone to close the gap to a one-score deficit at 29-22 and secure a final offensive possesion to try to win the game. 

After a successful long completion to Moroni Laulu-Pututau (2015-19) set up a final shot at the end zone with only six seconds remaining, Clements tossed an accurate corner ball to Hoffman in what looked like might be another dramatic scoring grab by BYU's all-time record holder in receiving touchdowns. However, Cotton Bowl team cornerback Tim McTyer (1995-96), who had a pick earlier in the game, sealed the win for Royal with his second touchdown-saving breakup of the game to give his side the 29-22 victory.

Pearson led in receiving, totaling 124 yards at the end of the night. Peterson and Walsh both had a matching 129 passing yards for Team Royal while Clements racked up 270 passing yards. 

Select the following link to watch the 2026 Alumni Game broadcast on BYUtv.