My First Holy War

I attended my first BYU-Utah football game last month, and beheld the Cougars' magical 17-10 win over the rival Utes. I wasn't sure what to expect from the game, but was certainly impressed with the emotion and competition both on and off the field.

Craig, Angee, Megs and I arrived at Lavell Edwards Stadium about two hours before kickoff. The air was cold and crisp but the bright sun livened up the day. Before the game started, I was worried that there would be an unpleasantly large contingent of Ewte fans there, but by the time kickoff arrived, the only red section large enough worth noting was the very top and extreme west portions of the north endzone. Other than that, Lavell Edwards was a sea of screamin' blue. A downpour of boos rained down on the Utes when they ran out on the field, I was surprised at how loud us Cougar fans really were... It was impressive. Right before kickoff, a few Utah players got in a small altercation with some Cougar fans in the front row of the north endzone. Mormon cuss-words abounded. I admit, I must've called atleast 200 Ute fans and players fetchers.

The game itself was a defensive battle, with BYU outplaying their Salt Lake counterparts, but unable to put many points on the board to open up a large lead. With the score 3-0 at half time and 9-3 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, the Cougar faithful screamed at every snap, and yet an uneasy tension hung heavy in the air, knowing that our failing to get in the endzone might very well come back to bite us as the game progressed.

Sure enough in the final 4 minutes, Utah put together a long drive, converting on third-down time and time again (4 times) and scoring off right tackle from 3 yards out with only 1:34 to play to put Ewtah up 10-9. After the ensuing kickoff sailed out of the endzone, QB Max Hall fumbled on first down, but luckily didn't lose it. 2nd and 3rd downs ended with incompletions and we found ourselves with 4th and 18 on our own 12 yard line with barely a minute to play... Slowly, rising from the Cougar Student Section, first barely audible among the Utes fans' cheers, then suddenly deafening the chant...

B-Y-U!... B-Y-U!... B-Y-U!... B-Y-U!... B-Y-U!... B-Y-U!... B-Y-U!... B-Y-U!...

4th & 18, our own 12 yard line. Down 10-9 with a minute left to play... just watch the video.
(the 4th & 18 play is at 3:50)



Final, 17-10. Go Cougars!