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Show November 2010 DTAEILY UTAH CHRONICLE www.dailyutahchronicle.com The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice Since 1890 Two roads diverge in the Mountain West Jake Hibbard ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Even though it won't be the last time the Holy War takes place, it might feel like it. The winner of this year's battle won't win the Mountain West Conference—TCU already has that locked up—but the game still carries significance, as it's in all likelihood the last time Utah and BYU will play each other as conference foes. The Utah seniors will go down as the most successful class in school history during their time at the U. Head coach Kyle Whittingham offered high praise to the upperclassmen. "I'm so proud of that senior crew and what they've done, and how much they've accomplished in their time at Utah," he said. "No one has been more successful than they have in the last four years." What this team couldn't accomplish was a third undefeated season this decade. Losing big to TCU and Notre Dame in back-to-back weeks, the Utes' offense was anemic, mustering just 10 points in eight quarters. The Utes plummeted down the rankings following the two losses, dropping from their No. 5 ranking in the BCS standings to No. 23 heading into the match against San Diego State. Things didn't start out well against the Aztecs, as they fell behind early 20-3 in rainy conditions much like with Notre Dame. But unlike the trip to Notre Dame, quarterback Jordan Wynn was able to get into a groove, throwing for more yards (262) in the first half than he did for the entire four quarters either of the previous two weeks. "We got our confidence back," Wynn said. "It felt good to move the ball and score points." Although the season might not have turned out to be as special as it appeared to be shaping up until the collapse against TCU, senior defensive end and captain Christian Cox said the Utes still had a lot on the line against the Aztecs and for the remainder of the season. "You lose and no Vegas Bowl, no opportunity to go to a great bowl," he said. "We know we won't win the Mountain West, but we want to take second. weeks against UNLV, Colorado We want to finish right, and State and New Mexico—the we want to win these next two Cougars have outscored those games that we have." opponents 144-24. The Cougars' season, conThe Utes also looked unstopversely, started out disastrously pable against those three MWC before a late-season rally gained foes, putting up 153 points on them bowl eligibility. BYU them and allowing just 20. If dropped four straight after win- they want to finish the season ning its season opener against strong with a win against the Washington, including a 16-31 guys senior corner Brandon loss to in-state rival Utah State. Burton says the team refers However, freshman quarterback to only as "TDS—team down Jake Heaps has thrived against south," the key might be getting MWC opponents, throwing the running game going led by eight touchdowns and no interceptions in the past three See FOOTBALL Page 9 |