Unfinished Business

Defeat is always bitterly hard to swallow. Last saturdays 48-24 awful implosion to the yewts was incredibly hard to digest. No possible BCS bid. No conference championship, etc. Like Thanksgiving it was a feast, on turnovers. Six TOs will pretty much seal the deal for anyone. It seemed like that afternoon/evening the offense's ball control had A.D.D. on some energy drink. Games of intense rivalry are often determined by execution (as Bronco says), focus, discipline, and simply hard work. Unfortunately, those characteristics weren't present on the field that day. Although hard to take the Cougs will bounce back. Former great Cowboy coach Tom Landry once said "Something contructive comes from every defeat". When was the last time the jerseys in blue had a 3000 yard QB, two 1000 yard receivers AND a 1000 yard rusher BEFORE a Bowl Game? No the season it NOT over. There is still one more game to be played. There is still work to be accomplished and addressed. We are still undefeated at home and heading to our 3rd consecutive bowl. (Photo Credit Douglas C Pizac)

Other Rivalries

Many collegiate football fans outside the state of Utah might not be aware of how intense the rivalry is between the Cougs and the team up north. Some may see it as church versus state. Former ESPN College Football Analyst Bill Curry sometime ago mentioned of our particular rivalry "I think people from the south and from the midwest ought to see this. This is big-time football rivalry". With the focus this week on perhaps the state's biggest game of the year with possible BCS implications it would be interesting to see where it stands among others found around the nation. Did a little bit of internet digging and found quite a few. As follows...

Florida/Georgia-Often referred to as the world's largest cocktail party (no I haven't "participated"). Apparently tailgating begins the week before and is held at a neutral location.
Ohio State/Michigan-Began way back in 1896. Between the two schools there are 18 national championships and 10 Heisman's. Most games have determined the Big 10 conference title. In fact many have influenced the outcome of the national championship game itself. Was ranked back in 2000 by ESPN as the greatest in American sports rivalry.
Oklahoma/Texas-Known as the Red River shootout. Played on a neutral field exactly halfway between the two. You know its big when even the two state's governers have bet on the game.
Alabama/Auburn-The "Iron Bowl" began in 1893 and wasn't played from 1907 through 1948 since they couldn't even decide which ref's to use.
Army/Navy-Simply known as the Commander In Chief Trophy. What a great rivalry where they don't play for a NFL contract but for country.
Lafayette/Lehigh-This one's so old it predates football trophies. The winning team gets the gameball painted with the score.
Minnesota/Wisconsin-Played for the instrument of forest destruction known as "Paul Bunyon's Axe". It is also the oldest rivalry in NCAA Div IA.
Harvard/Yale-The 3rd most played rivalry. It was also one of the 1st collegiate football matchups.
California/Stanford-This produced "the play" back in 1982 using 5 laterals and took out a completely stunned cardinal trombone player.
USC/Notre Dame-Played for "The Jeweled Shilelagh" a Gaelic warclub from Ireland made from oak. It has a ruby for USC or emerald for Notre Dame placed on it.

...unfortunately there have likely been countless numbers of rivalries that will have been left out. So where do you think this one stands? Would love to hear!

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".

So "Long"

Two days after the Lobo season ended Rocky Long threw in his hat and called it a career as head coach. Way back in 1969 through 1971 he was the starting QB for New Mexico and even was WAC offensive player of the year in 1971. After a short stint sometime in the CFL (BC Lions) Long found himself behind the whistle taking the coaching reins in 1998. Yes, his overall record might not have been that great. Consider this though he was 40-34 in conference play. Rocky led the Lobos to 3 straight bowl games (5 overall) finished 9-4 last season including a 70-7 thumping of a conference opponent this season. Long produced one of the NFLs best linebackers in the game in Brian Urlacher. He also gave us Bronco. New Mexico's athletic director Paul Krebs mentioned about Rocky "In my opinion Rocky's 11 year tenure is the best 11 years in the history of our football program. He is New Mexico football.". Whatever Rocky road you travel best wishes to you and good luck in all your endeavors.

BLUE And red Leatherheads

Way back when in 1922 (October 14th to be precise) was the first rivalry contest between the two schools. At least by knowledgable sources. The heathen school up north believes it all began back in 1896 when BYU was still an academy. It's just one of many things that both identities can't seem to agree on. Much like Michigan or Ohio State. Possibly Ali Frazier. How bout the Sox and the Yankees? Maybe Bird and Magic. Or even from the links Palmer and Nicklaus. Former ESPN College Football Analyst Bill Curry has mentioned of our particular rivalry "I think people from the south and from the midwest ought to see this. This is big-time football rivalry". In the last 10 matchups (excluding the 2004 smackdown) the combined AVERAGE margin of victory is only 4.4 points. Will it be another nailbiter? The series always seems to provide some of the most memorable matchups. Last season "Magic Happened". In 2006 it was the "Answered Prayer". Back in 2003 the duel would be remembered vividly as "The Snow Bowl". Reaching back into 2001 there was Staley's sideline run. There was also something special in 2000 for "Lavell's Last Hurrah". Fans even remember the "Kaneshiro Doink" heard round the world (well at least in the state). Regardless of what side you are on at least one thing that could be agreed on is that it sure will be fun to watch. And yes you better wear BLUE (facepaint and leatherhead optional).

Whose "Overrated"

Saturday 42,177 fans were able to watch at Falcon Stadium the Air Force cadets getting beat by a team that "might be the most overrated No. 17 team in American football history" as quoted David Ramsey from the Colorado Springs Gazette Sports Columnist. Yes, the Falcons put up a fight and threw up a few points on the board. Air Force senior Todd Newell (5.10/210) was the cadets highlight who had 21 carries for 116 yards and 1 TD. The 38-24 loss to BU drops the falcons to 8-3 and 5-2 in the conference. On the other hand the Cougs can still control their destiny with a 10-1 overall record (6-1 in MWC play). The jerseys in blue have now won 22 of 23 MWC games and have claimed 5 straight wins over the cadets. Overrated? Max Hall was 28 of 37 for 354 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. Unga (despite playing with a stinger) carried the rock 19 times for 88 yards and 2 TDs. Pitta reeled off 9 receptions for 113 yards while Austin torched the cadet secondary 7 times for 130 yards with 2 TDs and a halftime pep talk. By the way the Falcons now drop to 14-62-4 against "ranked" teams. So David Ramsey if you are out there, you tell me who's overrated?

Clutch Cummard

Inside the friendly confines of the Marriott Center the Cougars tusseled with the Long Beach State 49ers en route to a hard fought 75-65 victory. From the Sporting News Mike DeCourcy put together his top 10 list of small forwards which included Lee "Clutch" Cummard. Last nite showed why. Lee carried the Cougs scoring 22 of the blue jerseys first 31 points. Cummard does it all showing his versatility. In 36 minutes Lee had 36 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists even included 3 blocks. The Cougs were also able to shut down Donovan Morris holding him to 13 points. Tavernari added 19 points, 7 rebs and 5 assists while Miles had 9 points and 6 rebs. Next up the Cougs will head tuesday to Pepperdine. (Photo Credit Douglas C Pizac)