Ute Fans Celebrate Utah, USU Top 25 Rankings; Skewer BYU

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Geoff and Alexis Gough had a simple idea for Halloween decorations that has created a buzz on social media.

Alexis created a display using three posing skeletons, that include two wearing a Utah and Utah State shirt, while the other is sporting a BYU shirt while roasting over a fake fire.

Geoff and Alexis Gough pose with their three skeletons in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Where The Idea Came From

“Each year for Halloween, we try to do something creative with our posing skeletons,” Geoff Gough said to KSL Sports. “My wife (Alexis) has had this idea for a while, and we have been waiting for a good season where both Utah State and the University of Utah had good chances to beat BYU,” he added.

They picked a good season to do this with Utah holding a 6-2 record following their win over UCLA. Utah State is 7-1 after they beat New Mexico and BYU is 4-4 on the season, coming off of a loss to Northern Illinois. They lost to Utah State earlier this month.

This is the first time that the Gough’s have a sports themed display in their front yard.

“I think we might have to make it a tradition,” Geoff Gough said.

Utah or Utah State Fans?

The Salt Lake City natives are proud University of Utah fans, but will root for Utah State when they play BYU.

The couple comes from split families who like to play pranks on each other during rivalry season.

“My wife (Alexis) asked her dad to borrow a BYU shirt (for the skeleton), he said, ‘I can’t let you disrespect my BYU clothing in that way,” Geoff Gough said.

Neighborhood Fun

When the in-state rivalry skeletons were created, the Gough’s have had a lot of visitors in their front yard. They didn’t expect the amount of attention that they have received.

“We have a security camera that alerts us to any movement on our property. For the past week we have been receiving alerts all day long,” he said. “It’s so fun to see cars stop and people come and pose by the skeletons. We love that our community loves these skeletons,” Gough added.

Geoff and Alexis Gough’s daughter poses with the three skeletons in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Gough’s haven’t had any Cougar fans upset and they want them to know that it is all for fun.

“Our BYU friends and family that know us, know that this is just a friendly and funny joke,” Geoff Gough said. “We want BYU fans to know know that we mean this in good humor,” he added.

Geoff Gough’s friends that are fans of BYU have even suggested a wager.

“I have had some friends suggest that if Utah loses, I have to wear that BYU shirt for a day.”

When it comes to the Holy War on November 24, the Gough’s just hope that one thing happens.

“We hope that Utah can ‘roast’ BYU in November.”

Social Media Reaction

The original tweeted photo has 515 retweets and 2,107 likes, giving the display a lot of attention since it was created. It has even spread throughout Facebook and Instagram.

“The social media reaction has been so surreal. I can’t believe it’s been shared so my times on social media,” Gough added.

😂 😂 😂 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/cZ5k0q9WAU

— And I’m Dan the sports pumpkin! 🏀🎃 (@USUtheRightBlue) October 29, 2018

Saw this on facebook.#UtahState #AggiesAllTheWay #Utah #Utes #BYwho #BYeww pic.twitter.com/7OUIGqSFTq

— Football Predictions (@FootballGlory18) October 28, 2018

The Gough’s don’t want to jinx the Utes by mentioning the success the football team has had since they put the skeletons in their front yard.

“I sure hope that we aren’t shooting ourselves in the foot. Since we’ve put up the skeletons, Utah has not lost a game,” he said.