It started out a little sour....
But man oh man did it end SWEET!!!
17-16
GO UTES!!!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Rivalry
This is my 27th experience with the Utah/BYU game. My earliest memory was when I was 4. It was 1988 and it snowed like crazy the night before the game. I happened to get sick that morning with the flu so my mom wouldn't let me go to the game. I remember being so mad at my mom and tried to prove to her I was not sick. But it did not work. I had to stay at Grandma's house while Utah demolished BYU 57-28 to break a 9-game losing streak to BYU. I haven't missed a game since then (either attending or watching on TV)
I don't remember every single game, but I can give a memory from every game since I was 9 years old. Since that would take forever, I decided to give my Top 5 Favorite and Least Favorite BYU games of all time. Let's start with the bad ones...
Top 5 Least Favorite
5. 1998--It was the first Rivalry Game at the new Rice-Eccles Stadium. With just a few seconds remaining, Utah had the chance to seal the victory with a 15-YARD FIELD GOAL. Yes, this was the game that produced "The Doink Heard 'Round the World" Ryan Kaneshiro nailed the goalpost and the ball fell to the ground. We lost 26-24.
4. 2000---This was Lavell Edwards last game as head coach of BYU. Utah was up 27-26 in the final minutes of the game. BYU had the ball and were driving. After a clear BYU fumble that was recovered by Utah, seen by everyone in the stands and watching on TV, but missed by the referee, BYU continued their drive and scored to clinch the win. I had to watch the players carry Lavell off the field on their shoulders. What's funny, another referee came out later and said he knew it was a fumble and Utah should have won the game, but he couldn't do anything about it. Utah lost 34-27.
3. 2007---Utah scored the first touchdown of the game to go up 10-9 with just over a minute to go. The defense held strong for 3 downs, to put BYU in a 4th and 18 situation. Well...Brice McCain fell down and Max Hall completed a pass to Austin. Collie to keep the drive going. After 2 more pass interference calls, Harvey Unga scored to put BYU up for good. We lost 17-10
2. 2009---Utah completed a 4th quarter comeback to force the game into overtime. After kicking a field goal, Utah went out on defense. Two Utah defenders ran into each other, allowing Max Hall to complete the pass to Andrew George and win the game. The fans rushed the field and put Max Hall on their shoulders. The D-bag had to become the most hated BYU player of all time after saying “I don’t like Utah. In fact, I hate them. I hate everything about them. I hate their program, their fans. I hate everything. I think the whole university and their fans and the organization is classless. They threw beer on my family and stuff last year and did a whole bunch of nasty things. I don’t respect them and they deserved to lose." Utah lost 26-23.
1. 2006---In one of the most back-and-forth games in recent history, I had my heart literally ripped out and stomped on. I am pretty sure part of it is still sitting on a bleacher over in the Muss section. John Beck threw a touchdown to Johnny Harline with no time remaining. Utah lost 33-31.
Now, let's get to the good stuff.
Top 5 Favorite Games of all Time
5. 2005. No one gave Utah a chance to win this game. We had lost Brian Johnson to a knee injury the game before, and Brett Ratliff had not started a college game. Both teams were struggling that year as they both had replaced head coaches. It was the first overtime game in the history of the rivalry. Brett Ratliff played the game of his life and completed a pass to Travis LaTondress in overtime to clinch the victory. It was the 4th victory in a row for Utah. My mom and I got in the car and drove around town blasting Utah Man from the radio and flying our flags proudly.
4. 1994--Utah had one of their best teams in the history of the program. They had been ranked in the Top 10 and BYU was ranked in the Top 25. Mike McCoy threw a 20-yard pass to Charlie Brown to put Utah up 34-31 with under a minute to go to seal the win. I remember sitting on the opposite side of the stadium and being so excited that I cried. Utah won 34-31...again :)
3. 2004--Utah was a perfect 10-0. Gameday came to Utah for the first time ever. After plays like Bo Nagahi's fumble recovery for a touchdown, Steve Savoy's 92 yard TD run, and Steve Fafita's final TD run, Utah had completed the perfect season and busted the BCS for the first time in history. Utah won 52-21
2. 2008--Most people will say this is their favorite game after 2 heartbreaks in a row to BYU, but one game takes the cake for me. Like I said, we had lost 2 TERRIBLE games in a row. We were 11-0 and BYU was 10-1. We were both ranked in the Top 15, but the game ended up being a blow out. After Max Hall's 5 interceptions and fumble (and apparently a few beers being tossed around in the stands towards his family) , Utah pulled away for the most lopsided victory since 2004. Paul Kruger's interception is one of my favorite memories, but there is one memory that I don't think anything will ever top, and that memory come next. Utah won 48-24.
And my favorite Utah/BYU game of all time.....
1993. I was 9 years old. Utah had not beat BYU in Provo for 22 years and Lavell Edwards had never lost to Utah at home. Our kicker, Chris Yergensen, had missed 2 field goals already, but Ron McBride sent him out with only a few seconds left to attempt a 55-yard field goal and hopefully break the 2 decade losing streak. I was sitting in my Grandpa's office with my eyes covered, barely peeking out between my fingers. (Yes Heidi, this is when and where it all started) He broke every BYU fans heart when he kicked it right down the middle as time expired. The players rushed the field and the fans jumped on the goalposts. Yergensen ran around the field, arms spread like an airplane. My cousin Andrew and I ran around my Grandma's basement the exact same way, but screaming and singing Utah Man. In my opinion, and many others, it was the game that changed the Rivalry forever. Utah won 34-31.
It's a little sad to think this is the last Saturday in November that will host a Utah/BYU game. I have known nothing but ending the season playing BYU. But I could not be more excited to start a new chapter of Utah Football by entering the PAC 12. Here's to another fantastic chapter of the Rivalry (which hopefully will end with a Utah blowout)
GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!
I don't remember every single game, but I can give a memory from every game since I was 9 years old. Since that would take forever, I decided to give my Top 5 Favorite and Least Favorite BYU games of all time. Let's start with the bad ones...
Top 5 Least Favorite
5. 1998--It was the first Rivalry Game at the new Rice-Eccles Stadium. With just a few seconds remaining, Utah had the chance to seal the victory with a 15-YARD FIELD GOAL. Yes, this was the game that produced "The Doink Heard 'Round the World" Ryan Kaneshiro nailed the goalpost and the ball fell to the ground. We lost 26-24.
4. 2000---This was Lavell Edwards last game as head coach of BYU. Utah was up 27-26 in the final minutes of the game. BYU had the ball and were driving. After a clear BYU fumble that was recovered by Utah, seen by everyone in the stands and watching on TV, but missed by the referee, BYU continued their drive and scored to clinch the win. I had to watch the players carry Lavell off the field on their shoulders. What's funny, another referee came out later and said he knew it was a fumble and Utah should have won the game, but he couldn't do anything about it. Utah lost 34-27.
3. 2007---Utah scored the first touchdown of the game to go up 10-9 with just over a minute to go. The defense held strong for 3 downs, to put BYU in a 4th and 18 situation. Well...Brice McCain fell down and Max Hall completed a pass to Austin. Collie to keep the drive going. After 2 more pass interference calls, Harvey Unga scored to put BYU up for good. We lost 17-10
2. 2009---Utah completed a 4th quarter comeback to force the game into overtime. After kicking a field goal, Utah went out on defense. Two Utah defenders ran into each other, allowing Max Hall to complete the pass to Andrew George and win the game. The fans rushed the field and put Max Hall on their shoulders. The D-bag had to become the most hated BYU player of all time after saying “I don’t like Utah. In fact, I hate them. I hate everything about them. I hate their program, their fans. I hate everything. I think the whole university and their fans and the organization is classless. They threw beer on my family and stuff last year and did a whole bunch of nasty things. I don’t respect them and they deserved to lose." Utah lost 26-23.
1. 2006---In one of the most back-and-forth games in recent history, I had my heart literally ripped out and stomped on. I am pretty sure part of it is still sitting on a bleacher over in the Muss section. John Beck threw a touchdown to Johnny Harline with no time remaining. Utah lost 33-31.
Now, let's get to the good stuff.
Top 5 Favorite Games of all Time
5. 2005. No one gave Utah a chance to win this game. We had lost Brian Johnson to a knee injury the game before, and Brett Ratliff had not started a college game. Both teams were struggling that year as they both had replaced head coaches. It was the first overtime game in the history of the rivalry. Brett Ratliff played the game of his life and completed a pass to Travis LaTondress in overtime to clinch the victory. It was the 4th victory in a row for Utah. My mom and I got in the car and drove around town blasting Utah Man from the radio and flying our flags proudly.
4. 1994--Utah had one of their best teams in the history of the program. They had been ranked in the Top 10 and BYU was ranked in the Top 25. Mike McCoy threw a 20-yard pass to Charlie Brown to put Utah up 34-31 with under a minute to go to seal the win. I remember sitting on the opposite side of the stadium and being so excited that I cried. Utah won 34-31...again :)
3. 2004--Utah was a perfect 10-0. Gameday came to Utah for the first time ever. After plays like Bo Nagahi's fumble recovery for a touchdown, Steve Savoy's 92 yard TD run, and Steve Fafita's final TD run, Utah had completed the perfect season and busted the BCS for the first time in history. Utah won 52-21
2. 2008--Most people will say this is their favorite game after 2 heartbreaks in a row to BYU, but one game takes the cake for me. Like I said, we had lost 2 TERRIBLE games in a row. We were 11-0 and BYU was 10-1. We were both ranked in the Top 15, but the game ended up being a blow out. After Max Hall's 5 interceptions and fumble (and apparently a few beers being tossed around in the stands towards his family) , Utah pulled away for the most lopsided victory since 2004. Paul Kruger's interception is one of my favorite memories, but there is one memory that I don't think anything will ever top, and that memory come next. Utah won 48-24.
And my favorite Utah/BYU game of all time.....
1993. I was 9 years old. Utah had not beat BYU in Provo for 22 years and Lavell Edwards had never lost to Utah at home. Our kicker, Chris Yergensen, had missed 2 field goals already, but Ron McBride sent him out with only a few seconds left to attempt a 55-yard field goal and hopefully break the 2 decade losing streak. I was sitting in my Grandpa's office with my eyes covered, barely peeking out between my fingers. (Yes Heidi, this is when and where it all started) He broke every BYU fans heart when he kicked it right down the middle as time expired. The players rushed the field and the fans jumped on the goalposts. Yergensen ran around the field, arms spread like an airplane. My cousin Andrew and I ran around my Grandma's basement the exact same way, but screaming and singing Utah Man. In my opinion, and many others, it was the game that changed the Rivalry forever. Utah won 34-31.
It's a little sad to think this is the last Saturday in November that will host a Utah/BYU game. I have known nothing but ending the season playing BYU. But I could not be more excited to start a new chapter of Utah Football by entering the PAC 12. Here's to another fantastic chapter of the Rivalry (which hopefully will end with a Utah blowout)
GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Farewell MWC
As we all now by now, Utah is leaving for the PAC 12. Being in the WAC/MWC has definitely created hundreds of memories. With each game this year, I have thought of my favorite and least favorite games vs. all of our MWC foes. I thought I would bring up some good or bad memories for all those Ute fans out there.
Air Force
Favorite: 2003 Triple Overtime Win @ Air Force. Ben Moa completes the 2-point conversion in the 3rd overtime, then proceeds to do a toe touch right on the field
Least Favorite: 2007 Loss at Home. Lost Brent Casteel for the season due to a chop block and couldn't get into the endzone from the 1/2 yard line to win the game
Colorado State
Favorite: 2003. Arnold Parker returned a fumble 80 yards with about 1 minute left to win 28-21. The best part of this was I missed most of the game sitting in the Relief Society Conference. My mom and I left early because we couldn't stand not knowing what was going on, so as we got to the car and turned on the radio we were just in time to hear the fumble return happen. I have never attended another Relief Society Conference again.
Least Favorite: 2005. We were 1st and goal on the 1 yard line and COULD NOT GET IN THE ENDZONE!!!!
New Mexico
Favorite: One didn't really stick out, but I would have to say 2008 13-10 win. It was ugly, but it set up for the most amazing game I have ever witnessed.
Least Favorite: Almost every stinkin' time we play them. But to narrow it down, either 2003 when they came into Rice-Eccles and kicked our trash (Didn't lose again for almost 2 years). Or 2006 when we were up 24-3 and somehow found a way to lose 34-31.
San Diego State
Favorite: 2008. We dropped like 65 points on them and Deshawn Richards had back-to-back Pick 6's. Plus it was 90 degrees in November!
Least Favorite: 2005. Brian Johnson had like 400 yards of offense, but we couldn't score when we needed to. It was our 3rd loss in a row and broke our 10 game home winning streak
TCU
Favorite: Hands down 2008. In fact, this is probably my favorite Utah moment of all time. We were 9-0, they were 8-1. We were both ranked in the Top 12 and it was the first ever blackout. Down 10-6 with just about 3 minutes to go, Brian Johnson led the game winning drive, capped off by a touchdown pass to Freddie Brown with 47 seconds left in the game. I have never heard Rice Eccles that loud, and I have no idea how anything will ever top that night.
Least Favorite: 2010. Most disappointed I have ever been in Utah Football. But in a close 2nd is 2005. We had not lost in almost 2 years and we lost on a TERRIBLE missed call. Shocking...Man 2005 SUCKED!!!
UNLV
Favorite: 2004. It was literally raining buckets all night, but Stevie and I stuck it out to watch the Utes destroy UNLV. When the game starts off with a kickoff return for a TD by Morgan Scalley, you know only good things are to come.
Least Favorite: 2007. 27-0...enough said
Wyoming
Favorite: 2007. Joe Glenn promised a victory, and it pissed off Whitt. An onside kick, a friendly hand gesture, and the Muss pissing off the ushers by standing (or maybe pounding as hard as we could) on the bleachers made for a super fun afternoon. 50-0 final score
Least Favorite: 2006. My first trip to Laramie, and it will be my last. We lost 31-15, but worst of all I found Wyoming has the worst fans in the country, Laramie and Rawlings are the armpits of the earth, and "I hate FedEx Kinko's in Wyoming"
Yes I know, I left out BYU. But that history deserves its own post (which will come next week during Rivalry Week)
Air Force
Favorite: 2003 Triple Overtime Win @ Air Force. Ben Moa completes the 2-point conversion in the 3rd overtime, then proceeds to do a toe touch right on the field
Least Favorite: 2007 Loss at Home. Lost Brent Casteel for the season due to a chop block and couldn't get into the endzone from the 1/2 yard line to win the game
Colorado State
Favorite: 2003. Arnold Parker returned a fumble 80 yards with about 1 minute left to win 28-21. The best part of this was I missed most of the game sitting in the Relief Society Conference. My mom and I left early because we couldn't stand not knowing what was going on, so as we got to the car and turned on the radio we were just in time to hear the fumble return happen. I have never attended another Relief Society Conference again.
Least Favorite: 2005. We were 1st and goal on the 1 yard line and COULD NOT GET IN THE ENDZONE!!!!
New Mexico
Favorite: One didn't really stick out, but I would have to say 2008 13-10 win. It was ugly, but it set up for the most amazing game I have ever witnessed.
Least Favorite: Almost every stinkin' time we play them. But to narrow it down, either 2003 when they came into Rice-Eccles and kicked our trash (Didn't lose again for almost 2 years). Or 2006 when we were up 24-3 and somehow found a way to lose 34-31.
San Diego State
Favorite: 2008. We dropped like 65 points on them and Deshawn Richards had back-to-back Pick 6's. Plus it was 90 degrees in November!
Least Favorite: 2005. Brian Johnson had like 400 yards of offense, but we couldn't score when we needed to. It was our 3rd loss in a row and broke our 10 game home winning streak
TCU
Favorite: Hands down 2008. In fact, this is probably my favorite Utah moment of all time. We were 9-0, they were 8-1. We were both ranked in the Top 12 and it was the first ever blackout. Down 10-6 with just about 3 minutes to go, Brian Johnson led the game winning drive, capped off by a touchdown pass to Freddie Brown with 47 seconds left in the game. I have never heard Rice Eccles that loud, and I have no idea how anything will ever top that night.
Least Favorite: 2010. Most disappointed I have ever been in Utah Football. But in a close 2nd is 2005. We had not lost in almost 2 years and we lost on a TERRIBLE missed call. Shocking...Man 2005 SUCKED!!!
UNLV
Favorite: 2004. It was literally raining buckets all night, but Stevie and I stuck it out to watch the Utes destroy UNLV. When the game starts off with a kickoff return for a TD by Morgan Scalley, you know only good things are to come.
Least Favorite: 2007. 27-0...enough said
Wyoming
Favorite: 2007. Joe Glenn promised a victory, and it pissed off Whitt. An onside kick, a friendly hand gesture, and the Muss pissing off the ushers by standing (or maybe pounding as hard as we could) on the bleachers made for a super fun afternoon. 50-0 final score
Least Favorite: 2006. My first trip to Laramie, and it will be my last. We lost 31-15, but worst of all I found Wyoming has the worst fans in the country, Laramie and Rawlings are the armpits of the earth, and "I hate FedEx Kinko's in Wyoming"
Yes I know, I left out BYU. But that history deserves its own post (which will come next week during Rivalry Week)
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