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Note: my first Utah game ever was the '98 match-up.
1998:
-Donny Utu's celebration penalty on the final drive. It was the correct call, but it turned a certain chip shot into a merely makeable FG.
-Ryan Kaneshiro. As an 11-year old, I loved taking pictures. And with it being such a big game, I wanted the cliches: opening kickoff and the winning score. What better way than to have the kick that seals the game and the fans celebrating? I had it timed, took the picture, and started celebrating, assuming that he made it. When I realized those were BYU fans celebrating, it crushed me. My 8-year-old brother was a BYU fan at the time, and he was friendly with the BYU fans in front of us. He wanted so bad to go down onto the field with them, but obviously my parents told him he couldn't. So you have both of us crying after the game for different reasons, and it's a fun scene to reflect on.
2000:
-I think it was Hooks who scored to make it 26-10 in the third quarter. I remember Rice looking terrible, and I was pretty sure that was the game. But Arceneaux came in and turned it around, and we had that one-point lead.
-The fumble/down by contact play on 3rd down on that last drive. I've seen that play a few times this week, and it looks like a fumble. I know it still bugs McBride.
-The next four plays.
2001:
-4th and 12 (IIRC), down 3, they throw the tackle-eligible screen to Gross. Brilliant execution, and I remember jumping up and down watching him pick it up. With the average FG kicker, we can run the ball three times and set up for the game-tying FG. Instead, we have to rely on Rice, and on the next play Gilford takes it the other way.
2006:
-I was on the sidelines for this game. The energy was insane. You could feel it with the players, you could feel it in the stadium. I remember when we went 3-and-out, already down 14-0, and looking up at the scoreboard convincing myself we still had time to get back in the game.
-There was a drive when BYU was down, I believe it was 24-21, and they committed a personal foul on 2nd down. It ended up being 3rd and forever. Utah got the stop, but they called pass interference. Absolutely killer.
-The first 4th down on the final drive. It was 4th and 8, and Beck's protection was there. When he converted that play, it went from unbridled enthusiasm to nervous enthusiasm.
-Beck to Harline. Stunned is the only word for it.
2007:
-Johnson getting picked off. Jianonni had just intercepted Hall off a tip, and Utah was inside the 10. That was a huge missed opportunity.
-Mack scores with 1:34 left in the game. It was pure elation in the Utah section, obviously. But it only took 10 seconds before I felt nauseous. I stared at the scoreboard, willing that clock to a lower number.
-3rd down, when Sly bobbled and dropped an interception. Considering the situation, I thought we'd be ok. As soon as Hall completed the pass to Collie, it felt like 2000 all over again.
I've never received so many passive-aggressive comments from BYU fans than during the walk from the top of 134 to my car at Provo HS. A lot of people muttering under their breath; comments made towards my back; and my favorite, people yelling from their cars.
1998:
-Donny Utu's celebration penalty on the final drive. It was the correct call, but it turned a certain chip shot into a merely makeable FG.
-Ryan Kaneshiro. As an 11-year old, I loved taking pictures. And with it being such a big game, I wanted the cliches: opening kickoff and the winning score. What better way than to have the kick that seals the game and the fans celebrating? I had it timed, took the picture, and started celebrating, assuming that he made it. When I realized those were BYU fans celebrating, it crushed me. My 8-year-old brother was a BYU fan at the time, and he was friendly with the BYU fans in front of us. He wanted so bad to go down onto the field with them, but obviously my parents told him he couldn't. So you have both of us crying after the game for different reasons, and it's a fun scene to reflect on.
2000:
-I think it was Hooks who scored to make it 26-10 in the third quarter. I remember Rice looking terrible, and I was pretty sure that was the game. But Arceneaux came in and turned it around, and we had that one-point lead.
-The fumble/down by contact play on 3rd down on that last drive. I've seen that play a few times this week, and it looks like a fumble. I know it still bugs McBride.
-The next four plays.
2001:
-4th and 12 (IIRC), down 3, they throw the tackle-eligible screen to Gross. Brilliant execution, and I remember jumping up and down watching him pick it up. With the average FG kicker, we can run the ball three times and set up for the game-tying FG. Instead, we have to rely on Rice, and on the next play Gilford takes it the other way.
2006:
-I was on the sidelines for this game. The energy was insane. You could feel it with the players, you could feel it in the stadium. I remember when we went 3-and-out, already down 14-0, and looking up at the scoreboard convincing myself we still had time to get back in the game.
-There was a drive when BYU was down, I believe it was 24-21, and they committed a personal foul on 2nd down. It ended up being 3rd and forever. Utah got the stop, but they called pass interference. Absolutely killer.
-The first 4th down on the final drive. It was 4th and 8, and Beck's protection was there. When he converted that play, it went from unbridled enthusiasm to nervous enthusiasm.
-Beck to Harline. Stunned is the only word for it.
2007:
-Johnson getting picked off. Jianonni had just intercepted Hall off a tip, and Utah was inside the 10. That was a huge missed opportunity.
-Mack scores with 1:34 left in the game. It was pure elation in the Utah section, obviously. But it only took 10 seconds before I felt nauseous. I stared at the scoreboard, willing that clock to a lower number.
-3rd down, when Sly bobbled and dropped an interception. Considering the situation, I thought we'd be ok. As soon as Hall completed the pass to Collie, it felt like 2000 all over again.
I've never received so many passive-aggressive comments from BYU fans than during the walk from the top of 134 to my car at Provo HS. A lot of people muttering under their breath; comments made towards my back; and my favorite, people yelling from their cars.
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