| Show Holy wars continue to captivate Utah audiences I G Gerald r ld Nal Narciso J Q The Globe While comparing it to a gang gang rivalry would definitely be a stretch But if you were anywhere in Utah over the weekend your loyalty could only be with one of two colors Red or blue The BYU versus Utah football football football foot foot- ball game is easily the biggest rivalry in the State of Utah The game on Saturday lived up to the hype as fans fanson on on both sides ides were treated treated-to to a real nail biter at BYUs BYU's Level Edwards Stadium But Butin Butin Butin in the end Utah prevailed 41 34 in overtime in front of fans Its the sweetest victory Ive I've ever been a part of Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told the Deseret News I could not be more proud of a football team Give credit to Utah they played solid This was a hard hard-foughi game gam el that came camei down to one play said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall to the Deseret News Two teams fought Two teams competed Two teams laid it iton iton iton on the line What else can you want from an instate rivalry This victory marked one of the few bright brigl t spots in the Utes' Utes season The new-look new Utes have been inconsistent all season but this victory kept them alive in getting a ar r bOb bida J. J t BYU i ithe the slight leg up on on Utah going into the game also have had an average season so far Early in the game the Utes dominated Utah quarterback quarterback quarterback quarter quarter- back Brett Ratliff who filled in for the injured Brian Johnson threw for two touchdowns in the first half and ran in for another Ratliff displayed a lot of poise as he threw for an incredible 5 touchdowns including the game winner and rushed for another At halftime the Utes held a 24 3 lead against the Cougars In the second half the momentum shifted as the Cougars led an inspired comeback BYU running back Curtis Brown rushed for two 3 3rd quarter touch touch- downs On the day Brown ran for yards Tie H HV was e-was V s h hii huge gE for us quarterback John John Beck said to the Salt Lake Tribune You never have to question if Curtis is giving his full effort on every play Its It's great to see players step up and make plays With to go in the fourth quarter BYU was able to close the gap to just a field goal as as' Todd Watkins' Watkins catch from BYU quarterback John Beck made the score 34 After Utah was forced to punt on the next drive BYU was able to set up a Jared McLaughlin field goal with to go in the game that evened the score at 34 Utah had one last chance to win the game Utah kicker Dan Beardall who is one of the most accurate kickers in inthe inthe inthe the Nation attempted a 52 yard field go goal l in the final seconds but was blocked by bya a BYU BW d defender f I t In OT the Utes were able to capitalize on their initial drive Ratliff was able to find Travis Latendresse in inthe inthe inthe the end zone for a 25 yard touchdown BYU was unsuccessful to match the Utes touchdown on the following following following fol fol- fol- fol lowing drive leading to the Utah victory Both the Utes and Cougars are going to play the waiting game as they wait to hear whether or not they go bowl bowl- ing Being that Saturdays Saturday's game was the season finale for both teams there is nothing nothing nothing noth noth- ing more the Cougars rs or Utes can do to control their fate for the rest of the season But by indications both teams will most likely play in ina a bowl game 1 |
