Best BYU Moments In Rivalry History Against Utah
Aug 24, 2019, 10:41 PM | Updated: Aug 25, 2019, 10:40 am
SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 17: Max Hall #15 of BYU Cougars looks to pass the ball to teammate while playing against San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium on October 17, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – Despite being in the midst of an eight-game losing streak against the Utes, BYU has had some great moments in the rivalry game over the years.
Which moments are the best for the Cougars? Here are 10 moments to get you ready for Thursday night.
2009: Max Hall hates Utah
After defeating Utah for the third time in four seasons, BYU celebrated the victory with their fans on the field. For BYU quarterback Max Hall it was personal and he shared strong feelings towards Utah after the Cougars win.
“I don’t like Utah. In fact, I hate them. I hate everything about them. I hate their program, their fans. I hate everything so it felt really good to send those guys home,” said Hall in the postgame press conference. “I think the whole organization and the whole university is classless.”
Where you offended by Max Hall's comments or do you think fans on both sides are making too much of this? Share… http://bit.ly/4urSPO
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 29, 2009
2007: Magic Happens
With BYU down 10-9 late in the fourth quarter, QB Max Hall finds WR Austin Collie sneak behind Brice McCain on 4th & 18 to keep the Cougars drive alive. BYU then scored a touchdown a few plays later with Harvey Unga rumbling into the end zone.
Austin Collie described the catch in a memorable way, “Obviously if you do what’s right on and off the field, I think the Lord steps in and plays a part in it. Magic happens.”
2006: Beck to Harline
“John Beck is on the run, he throws behind him and it is … caught for the touchdown! *Ralph Sokolowsky screams* Caught for the touchdown! Caught for the touchdown! Jonny Harline got it for the score! Harline by himself in the endzone on the final play of the game!”
Five straight losses wouldn’t happen on that day in Salt Lake City in 2006. BYU seniors John Beck and Jonny Harline hooked up with time remaining to win the game and complete their undefeated season in Mountain West Conference play.
Jonny Harline is being inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame on Saturday. Be at LES! pic.twitter.com/sHH6sDUZI5
— Old Max Hall is gone for two years (@oldmaxhall) September 6, 2018
2000: LaVell’s Last Miracle
4th & 13 Brandon Doman connects with Jonathan Pittman to extend the game and keep the final drive alive. BYU later scored on a Luke Staley touchdown and sent head coach LaVell Edwards out as a winner.
1998: DOINK!
Utah kicker Ryan Kaneshiro attempted a 32-yard field goal and moments later, the ball went off the upright. DOINK! Utah head coach Ron McBride had his back facing the kick when he turned around his sudden rush of excitement turned to heartbreak.
1993: Utah will be pumping BYU’s gas
BYU defensive lineman Lenny Gomes in the postgame after BYU lost to Utah 34-31 and Ute fans tore down the goalposts at Cougar Stadium, “All those guys think that’s all there is to life. But when I’m making $50 to 60,000 a year, they’ll be pumping my gas. They’re low-class losers”
1991: Detmer To Luther Ellis
In Ty Detmer’s final rivalry game the Cougars rolled to a 48-17 win over the Utes. Detmer told Utes true freshman standout Luther Ellis, “not today rook!”
1984: Ute Busters
Leading up to the rivalry game during BYU’s undefeated National Championship season. Members of that ’84 BYU team released a song titled, “Ute Busters.” It was a remake of the popular “Ghostbusters” song.
Who you gonna call? UTE BUSTERS!
1982: BYU’s bus was rockin’
In Steve Young’s junior year, Ute fans were rocking BYU’s bus when the Cougars arrived on the east side of the old Rice Stadium. The Cougars later rocked the Ute fans fun by winning their fourth straight in the rivalry.
1977: Marc Wilson sets NCAA passing record, Wayne Howard goes off
LaVell Edwards inserted BYU quarterback Marc Wilson back into the game with two minutes remaining so Wilson could set the single-game NCAA passing record with 571 yards.
Then Utah head coach Wayne Howard was upset and in the post-game stated, “This today will be inspiring. The hatred between BYU and Utah is nothing compared to what it will be. It will be a crusade to beat BYU from now on. This is a prediction: in the next two years Utah will drill BYU someday, but we won’t run up the score even if we could set an NCAA record against them.”
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
