Opposition In All Things

Like Coke versus Pepsi there seems to be opposition in all things. Both schools can't even agree on what the alltime matchup records. At stake saturday is the deseret duel, the Beehive Boot, a possible BCS berth, a share of the MWC title, as well as school pride. The yewts head into the action in Lavell Edwards Stadium North (yeah thats Rice Eccles) flaunting a #8 national ranking with a perfect 11-0 record. Unfortunately, the Cougs haven't beat a top ten team since 1990 (then #1 Miami) or a top 10 team on the road since 1984. On the other hand BYU is 148-92 when ranked in the top 25. Considering the fact that the Cougs have such a high octane offense and the yewts control a rather stingy defense makes this matchup look like a doozy. The game is sold out (or check out ebay link listed below 2 tix northeast endzone corner $1500) but for those fans it can still be watched on "The MTN".

http://cgi.ebay.com/UTAH-UTES-VS-BYU-COUGARS-HOLY-WAR-DUEL-2008-TICKETS_W0QQitemZ260318582844QQihZ016QQcategoryZ16122QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The Cougars ride into town ranked #16 sporting a 10-1 record while the yewts are 35-17-3 playing in Salt Lake. Senior yewt QB mentioned "It's big, you know, because so much is on the line". The jerseys in blue would absolutely love nothing better than to destroy their possible BCS hopes with a Cougar victory and a share of the conference title.

In the offensive trenches the team up north starts Zane Taylor (6.3/305 Soph), Caleb Schlauderaff (6.5/305 Soph), Zane Beadles (6.4/305 JR), Robert Conley (6.1/310 SR) and Dustin Hensel (6.7/307 SR). Conley is a 4th year starter and scheduled to graduate this summer in economics. Hensel is a history major and obviously hopes to claim a little piece of history. Sophomore center Zane Taylor is a beast who squats 550 and benches 405 pounds.

Behind center is Brian Johnson (6.1/200 SR) who has thrown for 2,333 yards with 20 TDs and 9 INTs (143.5 rating). Backup is Corbin Louks (6.0/195 FR) who has some serious potential and can hurt opponents on the ground or through the air. Look for junior yewt RB to take some direct snaps as well.

The yewt backfield has a 1-2 punch much like the Cougs in Matt Asiata (6.0/230 JR) and Darrell Mack (6.0/220 SR). Asiata has bounced back nicely from a broken leg last season forcing him to redshirt now rushing this year 122 times for 633 yards with 10 TDs. On the year Mack has 110 carries for 493 yards and 3 TDs.

As for the yewt wideouts they have 4 with over 300 receiving yards a piece. Downtown Freddie Brown (6.4/215 SR) has some wheels and leads the crew with 57 catches covering 678 yards and 7TDs. Bradon Godfrey (6.3/200 SR) owns enough juke moves for 47 connections over 466 yards and 3 TDs. Senior wideout Brent Casteel (5.10/200) has 35 receptions on the year for 486 yards and 1 TD while David Reed (6.0/185 JR) has 19 catches for 309 yards adding 4 more TDs.

On the defensive line the yewts will line up with left end Koa Misi (6.3/265 JR), tackle Greg Newman (6.4/260 SR), nosetackle Derrick Shelby (6.3/245), and all conference sophomore Paul Kruger (6.5255). Misi and Kruger will definately anchor the line saturday and will provide a tough challenge for the Cougs OL to protect Max.

The linebacker jerseys in red will be supplied by Steven Sylvestor (6.2/225 JR), former walkon Mike Wright (6.2/230 SR) and sophomore Nai Fotu (6.1/232). Last season Sylvestor was second on the team with 86 tackles .

In the secondary the yewts will have a pair of seniors in Brice McCain (5.9/185) and Sean Smith (6.3/214) covering the corners. While the safeties will be manned by a pair of juniors in Robert Johnson (6.3/195) and Joe Dale (5.11/200). Last season Dale was named the Pointsettia Bowl defensive MVP (provided 12 tackles as well as a game saving INT). Although the yewt secondary may not have serious size they do possess some scary speed.

At special teams the yewts have senior candidate Louie Sakoda (5.10/178) who is up for both the Ray Guy and Lou Groza awards. His only misses in 2007 came from 45, 48 and 51 yards. This season "Louie Louie" has 46 perfect PATs. He is 8 of 8 from 30-39 yards, 6-7 from 40-49 yards and 2 of 3 from 50 plus yards. If the game is close Sakoda could definately be an "x factor".