Holy War (Utah vs. BYU)

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The Holy War: Utah Utes – BYU Cougars
Utah Utes - U logo.svg BYUlogo.png
History
First Meeting Utah, 12–4 (1896)
Last Meeting BYU, 26–23 (2009)
Next Meeting 2010
Number of Meetings 91
All-Time Series Utah leads, 53–34–4
Largest Victory BYU 56–6 (1980)
Current Streak BYU, 1
Longest Utah Win Streak 9 (1929–1937)
Longest BYU Win Streak 9 (1979–1987)
Last Ten Games Tied, 5–5
Trophy: see Beehive Boot

The Holy War is a college football rivalry game played between the University of Utah Utes and the Brigham Young University Cougars. The game is part of the larger Utah–BYU rivalry. In this rivalry context, the term Holy War refers to the fact that BYU is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the University of Utah is a state-owned academic institution. In addition, the proximity of the two schools, the athletic successes of the two teams, and the longevity of the series all fuel the rivalry.[1]

Contents

[edit] Rivalry elements

There are a number of elements that make the Holy War particularly fierce. As the name of the rivalry implies, religion is a large component to the rivalry. The long length of rivalry, in which the teams have always been in the same conference, is an element. The proximity of the two schools and the successful nature of the two teams also fuel the rivalry.[1]

[edit] Religion

"There's too much religion involved. I did not like that. I really didn't."
— Former Utah head coach Wayne Howard[2]

The state of Utah owns the University of Utah and is therefore a secular university, while The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS or Mormon Church) owns Brigham Young University. Coaches and administrators might prefer it if religion played less of a role in the rivalry, but some fans and players make an issue of religion. Fans of BYU commonly accuse Utah of being drunks or alcoholics, even though many of Utah's fans are members of the LDS Church and abstain from drinking alcohol.[1] Some non-Mormon Utah fans like to shock BYU fans by swearing or by drinking alcohol (or coffee), which are forbidden by the BYU honor code.[3]

[edit] Longevity

The Holy War is one of America's oldest and most heated college football rivalries. In fact, the schools even differ on when the first game was played. Utah claims that the first game was played in 1896 against Brigham Young Academy. BYU's athetic website (BYU Cougars) shows their schedule dating back to 1922, but no earlier. The Utes lead the all time series 53–33–4 or 50–30–4, depending on whether the first six meetings are counted.

Prior to 1973, there was not much of a rivalry as Utah dominated with a record over BYU of 41–8–4. BYU took over the domination with a record of 19–2 over the Utes from 1972–1992. In 1994 the Utes achieved what they had failed to achieve since 1972: consecutive wins. The rivalry has become much more intense from 1992 to the present. The last twenty games have resulted with Utah having ten wins and BYU having ten. The largest point spread during the last twenty meetings was in 1989, when BYU won 70-31 (39 points).[4]

[edit] Proximity

"When Brigham Young came into the valley, he pointed to where the University of Utah would be and said, ‘This is the place.’ Provo was just an afterthought."
— Ron McBride, former Utah Head Coach[5]

BYU, which is in Provo, Utah, and the University of Utah, which is in Salt Lake City, Utah, are about fifty miles apart and approximately an hour's drive away on Interstate 15.[6] Consequently, the two teams compete for recruits[7] and fan support.[8] It is not uncommon for friends, neighbors, and even family members to have opposite allegiances.[1] Consequently, whichever team wins the Holy War, its fans brag about it at school, work, or church, and the fans of the losing team have to endure the taunts for the next year.

[edit] Successful teams

While the two teams have not necessarily been strong at the same time, the two teams have the most conference championships in the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Each team has had four conference championships since the creation of the MWC in 1999.[9] Utah claims twenty-six conference championships in its history,[10] while BYU, which started later, claims twenty-three.[11] Both of these numbers are well ahead of the third place team in the MWC, Colorado State, who has fifteen.[12]

Furthermore, BYU can lay claim to a consensus national championship for going undefeated in 1984 and beating Michigan in the 1984 Holiday Bowl. Meanwhile, Utah has been to two Bowl Championship Series bowls: the 2005 Fiesta Bowl (a 35–7 victory over Pitt) and the 2009 Sugar Bowl (a 31–17 victory over Alabama). For these BCS bowl victories, Utah finished ranked in the AP Poll #4 and #2, respectively.

The recent games in the Holy War have tended to be close, with the final score of twelve of the last sixteen games being within a touchdown (seven points) or less.[4] The two teams have won or shared the conference championship in ten out of the last sixteen years. Consequently, the Holy War frequently has had conference title implications.

[edit] Results by year

Date Winner Score Location Series
April 6, 1896 Utah 12–4 Salt Lake City Utah 1–0
November 14, 1896 Utah 6–0 Salt Lake City Utah 2–0
December 5, 1896 Brigham Young Academy 8–6 Provo Utah 2–1
December 4, 1897 BYA 14–0 Salt Lake City Tied 2–2
December 18, 1897 BYA 22–0 Provo BYA 3–2
November 24, 1898 Utah 5–0 Salt Lake City Tied 3–3
October 14, 1922 Utah 49–0 Salt Lake City Utah 4–3
October 27, 1923 Utah 15–0 Provo Utah 5–3
October 25, 1924 Utah 35–6 Salt Lake City Utah 6–3
October 31, 1925 Utah 27–0 Provo Utah 7–3
November 13, 1926 Utah 40–7 Salt Lake City Utah 8–3
November 12, 1927 Utah 20–0 Provo Utah 9–3
November 17, 1928 Tie 0–0 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 9–3–1
November 2, 1929 Utah 45–13 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 10–3–1
October 18, 1930 Utah 34–7 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 11–3–1
October 17, 1931 Utah 43–0 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 12–3–1
October 15, 1932 Utah 29–0 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 13–3–1
October 14, 1933 Utah 21–6 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 14–3–1
October 13, 1934 Utah 43–0 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 15–3–1
November 2, 1935 Utah 32–0 Provo Utah 16–3–1
October 31, 1936 Utah 18–0 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 17–3–1
October 2, 1937 Utah 14–0 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 18–3–1
October 15, 1938 Tie 7–7 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 18–3–2
October 14, 1939 Utah 35–13 Provo Utah 19–3–2
October 5, 1940 Utah 12–6 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 20–3–2
October 18, 1941 Tie 6–6 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 20–3–3
October 10, 1942 Brigham Young University 12–7 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 20–4–3
October 12, 1946 Utah 35–6 Provo Utah 21–4–3
October 11, 1947 Utah 28–6 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 22–4–3
October 9, 1948 Utah 30–0 Provo Utah 23–4–3
October 8, 1949 Utah 38–0 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 24–4–3
October 7, 1950 Tie 28–28 Provo Utah 24–4–4
October 6, 1951 Utah 7–6 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 25–4–4
October 11, 1952 Utah 34–6 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 26–4–4
November 26, 1953 Utah 33–32 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 27–4–4
October 9, 1954 Utah 12–7 Provo Utah 28–4–4
October 8, 1955 Utah 41–9 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 29–4–4
October 5, 1956 Utah 41–6 Provo Utah 30–4–4
October 12, 1957 Utah 27–0 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 31–4–4
September 27, 1958 BYU 41–6 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 31–5–4
October 9, 1959 Utah 20–8 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 32–5–4
October 7, 1960 Utah 17–0 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 33–5–4
October 14, 1961 Utah 21–20 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 34–5–4
October 13, 1962 Utah 35–20 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 35–5–4
October 12, 1963 Utah 15–6 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 36–5–4
November 7, 1964 Utah 47–13 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 37–5–4
November 6, 1965 BYU 25–20 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 37–6–4
November 12, 1966 BYU 35–13 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 37–7–4
October 28, 1967 BYU 17–13 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 37–8–4
November 2, 1968 Utah 30–21 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 38–8–4
November 22, 1969 Utah 16–6 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 39–8–4
November 21, 1970 Utah 14–13 Ute Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 40–8–4
November 20, 1971 Utah 17–15 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 41–8–4
November 18, 1972 BYU 16–7 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 41–9–4
November 24, 1973 BYU 46–22 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 41–10–4
November 23, 1974 BYU 48–20 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 41–11–4
November 15, 1975 BYU 51–20 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 41–12–4
November 20, 1976 BYU 34–12 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 41–13–4
November 5, 1977 BYU 38–8 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 41–14–4
November 18, 1978 Utah 23–22 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 42–14–4
November 17, 1979 BYU 27–0 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 42–15–4
November 22, 1980 BYU 56–6 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 42–16–4
November 21, 1981 BYU 56–28 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 42–17–4
November 20, 1982 BYU 17–12 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 42–18–4
November 19, 1983 BYU 55–7 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 42–19–4
November 17, 1984 BYU 24–14 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 42–20–4
November 23, 1985 BYU 38–28 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 42–21–4
November 22, 1986 BYU 35–21 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 42–22–4
November 21, 1987 BYU 21–18 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 42–23–4
November 19, 1988 Utah 57–28 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 43–23–4
November 18, 1989 BYU 70–31 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 43–24–4
November 17, 1990 BYU 45–22 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 43–25–4
November 23, 1991 BYU 48–17 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 43–26–4
November 21, 1992 BYU 31–22 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 43–27–4
November 20, 1993 Utah 34–31 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 44–27–4
November 19, 1994 Utah 34–31 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 45–27–4
November 18, 1995 Utah 34–17 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 46–27–4
November 23, 1996 BYU 37–17 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 46–28–4
November 22, 1997 Utah 20–14 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 47–28–4
November 21, 1998 BYU 26–24 Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 47–29–4
November 20, 1999 Utah 20–17 Cougar Stadium, Provo Utah 48–29–4
November 24, 2000 BYU 34–27 Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 48–30–4
November 17, 2001 BYU 24–21 LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo Utah 48–31–4
November 23, 2002 Utah 13–6 Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 49–31–4
November 22, 2003 Utah 3–0 LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo Utah 50–31–4
November 20, 2004 Utah 52–21 Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 51–31–4
November 19, 2005 Utah 41–34 LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo Utah 52–31–4
November 25, 2006 BYU 33–31 Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 52–32–4
November 24, 2007 BYU 17–10 LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo Utah 52–33–4
November 22, 2008 Utah 48–24 Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City Utah 53–33–4
November 28, 2009 BYU 26–23 LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo Utah 53–34–4

[4] [13]

[edit] History

[edit] The Brigham Young Academy years

Before 1903, BYU was known as Brigham Young Academy (BYA). During the 1890s, Utah and BYA played six times in football. The two schools split the series 3–3.[13] The first meeting was an unusual April contest that Utah won 12–4.

BYA stopped playing football sometime after these six games and did not start again until 1922, after it had become Brigham Young University (BYU). BYU does not recognize these first six meetings and only recognizes football games played after 1922.[14]

[edit] Utah's early dominance

After twenty-three years of not having a team, BYU resumed play for the 1922 season.[1] Utah began its early dominance over BYU with a 49-0 victory on October 14, 1922. BYU would not get another win in the series until 1942, when the Cougars shocked the Utes 12–7 at Utah. The rivalry then took a hiatus from 1943 to 1945 because BYU did not field a team due to World War II. When the rivalry continued in 1946, the Utes continued their domination over the Cougars, winning or tying the next twelve contests. The rivalry continued this trend into the 1972 season, at which point Utah had amassed a 41–8–4 (.811) record against BYU.

[edit] The LaVell Edwards era

In 1972, the rivalry shifted in favor of BYU. The Cougars had hired LaVell Edwards and in his first season, BYU beat Utah 16–7 for BYU's first victory over Utah in four years. The win signaled the beginning of BYU's dominance against Utah. From 1972 to 1992, BYU went 19–2 (.905) against Utah.

During those years, Utah went through a series of coaches that all ended with losing records against LaVell Edwards and BYU. Bill Meek's Utes went 0–2 against Edwards during Meek's last two years (1972–1973). Tom Lovat (1974–1976) was 0–3. Wayne Howard (1977–1981) was 1–4. Chuck Stobart (1982–1984) was 0–3. Jim Fassel was 1–4. Finally, Utah found some success when it hired Ron McBride in 1990. McBride would finish with a 5–6 record against LaVell Edwards, but he started with three consecutive losses to Edwards.[4]

[edit] 1977–1981: Edwards versus Howard

[edit] Wayne Howard's Crusade
"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."
— Former Utah coach Wayne Howard[5]

During the 1977 meeting, BYU was on the way to winning in a 38–8 blowout. Nonetheless, LaVell Edwards put starting quarterback Marc Wilson back into the game so Wilson could set an NCAA record for passing yards. Wilson succeeded in setting the record (subsequently broken) and finished the game with 571 passing yards. The incident infuriated Utah head coach Wayne Howard. After the game he said, "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."[5] The next year, Wayne Howard made good on his promise. The Utes came from behind to upset the Cougars 23–22. The 1978 win was Utah's first against a LaVell Edwards coached BYU team.

[edit] Jim McMahon says, 'Scoreboard.'
"What I hated the most about BYU was getting trounced."
— Former Utah tight end Steve Folsom [15]

During the 1980 Holy War, BYU quarterback Jim McMahon helped engineer a blowout. Most of the game he was heckled by a contingent of Utah fans at Rice Stadium. After throwing for another touchdown late in the 56–6 win, he simply pointed at the scoreboard to quiet the hecklers. The game was in the midst of a 12–1 BYU season. It was also their second consecutive win against Utah and their eighth win out of the last nine games against Utah.[16] The fifty point margin of victory is the largest for either team in the series.[4]

[edit] 1982–1984: Edwards versus Stobart

[edit] National Champions

On November 17, 1984, BYU entered the Holy War 10–0 and ranked #3 in the AP Poll. BYU overcame several turnovers to win 24–14. BYU would finish the season 13–0 and the only undefeated team in Division I-A (now the Football Bowl Subdivision). They were voted number one in the final AP Poll as well as the Coaches' Poll to become the consensus national champions. This was the last time a team not currently affiliated with the BCS won a national championship; the next most recent was Army in 1945.

[edit] 1985–1989: Edwards versus Fassel

[edit] The Rice Bowl

In 1988, Utah had not beaten BYU since 1978 and entered the Holy War as 11-point underdogs. Utah had a mediocre 5–5 record while BYU was 8–2 and had already accepted an invitation to the Freedom Bowl. BYU looked ready to humiliate the Utes again. Instead Utah and quarterback Scott Mitchell jumped on BYU early and took a 21–0 lead on the way to winning 57–28. The 1988 team set a series record for points scored against BYU—a record that stands today.[17] The game came to be known locally as "the Rice Bowl" because the game was played at Utah's Rice Stadium.[18]

[edit] The Great Ute shootout
"It was just as easy as it looked. It was like we were running against air. It was easy to break tackles and find holes. Their defense didn't seem to be there."
— Former BYU running back Fred Whittingham[19]

The next year, in 1989, BYU got their revenge. They set a series record by scoring 70 against Utah. BYU jumped to a 49–0 lead before Utah scored its first touchdown just before halftime. Behind quarterback Ty Detmer, BYU would score eight touchdowns on its first eight possessions and amass over 750 yards of total offense during the 70–31 win. Utah would score three meaningless touchdowns in the fourth quarter against BYU's reserves.[20] The 101 points the two teams scored is still a series record.[4]

[edit] The modern rivalry

By the mid-1990s, the Cougars' success leveled off from the years of the 1970s and '80s. Around this time, the Utes also improved significantly, and the rivalry became much more competitive.

[edit] 1990–2000: Edwards versus McBride

The rivalry began to change in 1993, during Ron McBride's fourth season as head coach, the Utes won their first game in Provo in twenty-two seasons and their first since LaVell Edwards became BYU head coach. Utah's kicker, Chris Yergensen, had already missed two out of three field goals on the day. This time, however, Yergensen did not miss and kicked the game-winning 55-yard field goal (the longest of his career) as time expired.

"All those guys think that's all there is to life. But when I'm making $50–60,000 a year, they'll be pumping my gas. They're low-class losers."
— Former BYU nose guard Lenny Gomes on Utah and its fans[5]

After the win, Utah fans and players attempted to tear down the north end zone goalpost at what was then Cougar Stadium. Cougar players returned to the field to protect the goalpost from being torn down. About the incident, Lenny Gomes, a BYU nose guard, said, "Typical Utah bullshit. All those guys think that's all there is to life. But when I'm making $50–60,000 a year, they'll be pumping my gas. They're low-class losers."[5] The remark is still remembered in rivalry history today.[21]

The 1994 season was McBride’s best, as he led the Utes to a 10–2 record and a top-10 finish in national rankings. The Utes and Cougars also staged one of the best matchups in the rivalry's history, meeting for the first time as top-25 ranked teams. The Utes won the game 34–31, which was coincidentally the same score of their meeting a year before. Utah ran its rivalry winning streak up to three games a year later, with a 34–17 win at BYU. The Utes and Cougars would trade wins and losses the next couple of years, before the 2000 season.

[edit] The Kaneshiro doink

In the first Holy War played at newly renovated Rice-Eccles Stadium, BYU entered the game with a 8–3, (6–1 WAC) record and was playing for a birth in the WAC Championship game. Utah entered the game with a 7–3, (5–2 WAC) record and was hoping to land a bowl game and spoil BYU's WAC Championship hopes. BYU took a 26–17 lead when Owen Pochman connected on a 47-yard field goal with 2:41 left to play in the game. On the ensuing kickoff, Utah's Daniel Jones returned the the ball 95 yards to cut the lead to 26–24. Utah's defense held BYU and forced them to punt. Utah moved the ball to the 15 yard line where Ryan Kaneshiro attempted a 32 yard field goal. The attempt bounced off the right goalpost preserving the win for BYU.[22]

[edit] Utah cheerleader pummels an aggressive fan
"Even our cheerleaders are kicking your butt."
— Former Utah wide receiver Steve Smith[19][23]

During the 1999 edition of the Holy War, Utah recorded its fourth consecutive win in Provo. Early in the fourth quarter, Utah scored a touchdown when quarterback T.D. Crowshaw completed a four-yard-pass to Donny Utu to put Utah up 20–10. In celebration, Utah cheerleader Billy Priddis ran along the visitor's sideline with a large "U" flag. An unidentified BYU fan ran onto the sideline and tackled Priddis from behind. Priddis turned around and started punching the fan. He landed seven or eight punches before security separated them. About the incident, Priddis said, ""There's 65,000 fans here, does he think I'm not going to retaliate?"

"From now on we're going to leave our flags at home and they should do the same."
— Former BYU Athletic Director Val Hale[23]

From the Utah sideline, receiver Steve Smith taunted BYU fans and yelled, "Even our cheerleaders are kicking your butt." BYU's athletic director Val Hale purported to have chastised Priddis and the rest of the Utah cheerleaders. After the game he said, "I told them from now on we're going to leave our flags at home and they should do the same. All it does is initiate the fans to throw things out of the stands."[23]

[edit] Edwards' last game

Entering the 2000 season, legendary head coach LaVell Edwards announced that he was retiring. His final game as Cougars head coach came against the Utes in Salt Lake City, where BYU won 34–27 with an exciting last-minute drive that ended on a touchdown with little time remaining on the clock.

[edit] 2001 and 2002: Crowton versus McBride

In 2001, under new head coach Gary Crowton, BYU entered their game against Utah undefeated and looking to become the first team from outside the BCS to play in a BCS bowl game. A tight game ended with a comeback by BYU. BYU running back Luke Staley raced down the sideline with 1:16 left to play to make it 24-21 and BYU DB Jenaro Gilford intercepted a pass on the ensuing Ute drive to seal the victory. The win gave the Cougars consecutive wins against the Utes for the first time in nearly ten years.

McBride, who had guided Utah to six bowl games and three bowl wins, entered the 2002 rivalry game in danger of being fired. The Utes had struggled all season long and even with their 13–6 victory against BYU, Utah finished with their second losing season in three years. The 5–6 finish sealed McBride’s fate and he was fired in 2002; Weber State University hired him in December 2004.

[edit] 2003 and 2004: Crowton versus Meyer

Urban Meyer was hired to replace Ron McBride. Under Meyer, Utah players were not allowed to use the name BYU and began refering rather to the Team Down South or TDS (BYU being about 50 miles south of the University of Utah). This reference has become a tradition among some Utah fans.[citation needed]

[edit] Scoring streak ends

In Meyer's first season, the Utes won the Mountain West Conference and finished 10–2, which was their best record since the 1994 season. The last game of the regular season, Utah beat BYU for the second straight year with a 3–0 victory. The victory snapped BYU's NCAA record for scoring in 361 straight games—BYU's first shutout since a 20–0 loss to Arizona State on September 25, 1975.[24]

[edit] BCS busters

In 2004 Utah would have its best season up to that point, going 12–0 and becoming the first team from outside the BCS to play in a BCS bowl game. They went on to win their matchup against Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. The Utes final regular season game, a 52–21 victory over BYU, clinched the invitation to a BCS bowl. Urban Meyer then left Utah for Florida. After the 2004 season, Gary Crowton resigned after finishing with his third consecutive losing season.

[edit] 2005–present: Mendenhall versus Whittingham

In 2005, Bronco Mendenhall and Kyle Whittingham started as head coaches at their respective programs. Whittingham was offered the job at BYU before turning it down and accepting the position at Utah. This has added to the rivalry between the two coaches. Mendenhall leads the head-to-head matchup 3–2. Four of the five games have been decided by a touchdown or less. In a December 17, 2009 column, writer Stewart Mandel called the coaching rivalry the best of the preceding decade.[25]

[edit] First overtime game

The 2005 season saw some striking parallels between the two programs. Both had replaced their former head coaches, struggled through parts of their seasons, and would finish the regular season with 6–5 records. When the two met in Provo in November 2005, BYU was looking for its first win against the Utes in three seasons. Utah was looking for a winning record and a shot at a bowl game. BYU entered as the favorite because Utah would be playing without its starting quarterback and its best wide receiver, who had been injured in their previous game. The Utes were starting JC transfer Brett Ratliff who had taken just three snaps the week before. Ratliff surprised the Cougars by completing 17 of 32 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns, and rushing for 112 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. He was responsible for all five Utah touchdowns. The Utes won the first ever overtime game in the rivalry series 41–34.

[edit] Harline is still open

When the two teams met again in November 2006, this time in Salt Lake City, BYU jumped out to an early lead, then fell behind and trailed for much of the game, but finally won it 33–31 with an impressive last-minute drive, capped by a touchdown pass from John Beck to Jonny Harline with no time on the clock. The win gave BYU an undefeated record of 8–0 in Mountain West Conference play. The play inspired a catch phrase among BYU fans that appeared on t-shirts: "Harline is still open."[26]

[edit] 'Magic happens.'
"Obviously, when you're doing what's right on and off the field, I think the Lord steps in and plays a part in it. Magic happens."
— Former BYU wide receiver Austin Collie[27]

In 2007 the teams clashed on November 24, and was, for most of the game, a defensive game. The game's first 12 points were only field goals, BYU's Mitch Payne scoring 9 points. Utah then scored the first touchdown, taking the lead 10–9. In the fourth quarter, BYU came back with a late-game drive that included a 4th and 18 from its own 12 yard line. Four plays later, freshman running back Harvey Unga bulled into the endzone to win it 17–10. Austin Collie, who caught the Max Hall pass to convert the 4th and 18 to a first down said about the play, "I wouldn't say it was lucky. We executed the play well. We should have had another one. Obviously, when you're doing what's right on and off the field, I think the Lord steps in and plays a part in it. Magic happens."[27][28] The comment further fueled the religious animosity between the two teams.

[edit] Back to the BCS

Utah had another undefeated season in 2008 and defeated BYU 48–24. By doing so, they captured another invitation to a BCS game, where they were matched up with the highly favored Alabama. Utah beat Alabama 31–17 for their second BCS victory in five years.

[edit] Second overtime game
"I don't like Utah. In fact, I hate them. I hate everything about them. I hate their program, their fans. I hate everything. It felt really good to send those guys home."
— Former BYU quarterback Max Hall[29]

In the second overtime game in series history, BYU defeated Utah 26–23. BYU held a 20–6 lead entering the fourth quarter. Utah scored 14 fourth quarter points to force overtime, but their comeback fell short. After Utah managed a field goal to take a 23–20 lead, Max Hall connected to tight end Andrew George for a 25-yard touchdown reception and the victory.[30]

During the postgame press conference, Hall was asked if he felt he had redeemed himself for his performance in the previous year's game in which he had five interceptions and one fumble. Hall responded, "A little bit, yeah. I don't like Utah. In fact, I hate them. I hate everything about them. I hate their program. I hate their fans. I hate everything. So, it feels good to send those guys home. They didn't deserve it. It was our time and it was our time to win. We deserved it. We played as hard as we could tonight, and it felt really good to send them home and to get them out of here, so it is a game I'll always remember." When asked for a clarification and whether he really hated Utah, Hall said, "I think the whole university and their fans and organization is classless. They threw beer on my family and stuff last year, and did a whole bunch of nasty things. I don't respect them, and they deserve to lose."

The next day, Hall issued an apology for his "remarks". He alleged that his "family was spit on, had beer dumped on them and were physically assaulted on several occasions" during the previous year's game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.[31]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Jeff Call. "Is Rivalry Healthy or Harmful?". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,650209147,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-17. 
  2. ^ Lee Benson. "Wayne Howard Leaves 'em Wondering". Deseret News. http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/19395/WAYNE-HOWARD-LEAVES-EM-WONDERING.html. Retrieved 2009-08-20. 
  3. ^ Doug Robinson. "Collie Was Right, Even When Wrong". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695231329,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-20. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Utah vs Brigham Young". www.cfbdatawarehouse.com. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/mountainwest/utah/opponents_records.php?teamid=402. Retrieved 2009-08-16. 
  5. ^ a b c d e John Fackler. "www.alumni.utah.edu/continuum". Continuum: the Magazine of the University of Utah. http://www.alumni.utah.edu/continuum/fall04/sidelines.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-18. 
  6. ^ Doug Robinson. "Utah, BYU Football: Rivalry Always Big, but This Year it's Even Bigger". http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705264774,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-19. 
  7. ^ Dirk Facer. "Orem Star Picks Utah After 'Holy War'". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695230754,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-20. 
  8. ^ Brad Rock. "Rock On . . .". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705278867,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-20. 
  9. ^ "Conference Championships: Mountain West Conference". College Football Data Warehouse. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/conference_champs/champions.php?conid=130. Retrieved 2009-08-20. 
  10. ^ "2009 Utah Football Media Guide". The University of Utah. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/utah/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/09-mfootbl-mg-156-183.pdf. Retrieved 2009-08-20. 
  11. ^ "BYU Football All-Time Results". The Official Site of BYU Athletics. http://www.byucougars.com/football/history/all_time_results.jsp. Retrieved 2009-08-21. 
  12. ^ "Colorado Aggies.Com: Football". http://coloradoaggies.com/Football.html. Retrieved 2009-08-20. 
  13. ^ a b "Utah vs Brigham Young Academy". College Football Data Warehouse. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/mountainwest/utah/opponents_records.php?teamid=403. Retrieved 2009-08-16. 
  14. ^ "BYU vs. Utah: The history of the rivalry". ksl.com. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=294&sid=4843349. Retrieved 2009-08-18. 
  15. ^ "Clean, Sober And Insufferable". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004161/index.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-20. 
  16. ^ Brad Rock. "The Day Jimmy Mac Went Scoreboard". http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705264168,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-20. 
  17. ^ Brad Rock. "Utah Takes Out Frustrations on Y., 57–28: Utes Rewrite Record Books with Blowout". Deseret News. http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/24137/UTAH-TAKES-OUT-FRUSTRATIONS-ON-Y-57-28ltBRgt-UTES-REWRITE-RECORD-BOOKS-WITH-BLOWOUT.html. Retrieved 2009-08-18. 
  18. ^ Doug Robinson. "BYU vs. Utah: It's Payback Time for Cougs; Utes Hope to Spring Even Bigger Upset". Deseret News. http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/73377/BYU-VS-UTAH--ITaposS-PAYBACK-TIME-FOR-COUGS-UTES-HOPE-TO-SPRING-EVEN-BIGGER-UPSET.html. Retrieved 2009-08-18. 
  19. ^ a b "Rivalry Week Fact Sheet". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,635162149,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-29. 
  20. ^ Doug Robinson. "Revenge Minded BYU Blasts Utah 70–31". Deseret News. http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/73270/REVENGE-MINDED-BYU-BLASTS-UTAH-70-31.html. Retrieved 2009-08-18. 
  21. ^ Brad Rock. "Gomes' Famous Remark Will Never Be Forgotten". http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595105988/Brad-Rock-Gomes-famous-remark-will-never-be-forgotten.html. Retrieved 2009-08-18. 
  22. ^ Dirk Facer. "Saved by the Post". Deseret News. http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/664267/Saved-by-the-post.html. Retrieved 2009-08-30. 
  23. ^ a b c James Edward. "Despite Ailing Heart, Arceneaux Helps Out U. Cheerleader Lets Y. Fan Have it in Altercation". Deseret News. http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/729175/Despite-ailing-heart-Arceneaux-helps-out-U-cheerleader-lets-Y-fan-have-it-in-altercation.html. Retrieved 2009-08-29. 
  24. ^ Jeff Call. "Cougars Left to Live with Another Setback". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/540034744/Cougars-left-to-live-with-another-setback.html. Retrieved 2009-08-16. 
  25. ^ Stewart Mandel. "College football: Highlights and lowlights of the decade". SI.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/15/cfb-highlights-lowlights/index.html. Retrieved 2009-12-18. 
  26. ^ Kirk Kragthorpe. "Kragthorpe: Former BYU tight end Harline playing, to his own beat". The Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/kragthorpe/ci_12704538. Retrieved 2009-11-03. 
  27. ^ a b John Henderson. "Holy War rages on . . . in Utah". The Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_11036799. Retrieved 2009-11-03. 
  28. ^ Dick Harmon. "Collie Calls Reaction to his Post-game Comments 'Ridiculous'". http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695231106,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-16. 
  29. ^ "Hall connects with George to lift BYU in OT; disparages Utes". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=293320252. Retrieved 2009-11-29. 
  30. ^ Deseret News. "BYU, Utah Utes football: Too many field goals, penalties doomed Utes". http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705347863/BYU-Utah-Utes-football-Too-many-field-goals-penalties-doomed-Utes.html. Retrieved 2009-12-27. 
  31. ^ Jeff Call. "BYU football: Max Hall apologizes for tirade". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705348033/BYU-football-Max-Hall-apologizes-for-tirade.html. Retrieved 2009-12-27. 
v • d • e
Utah Utes football
All-time record
617–421–31 (.592)
Teams
1892 • 1894 • 1895 • 1896 • 1897 • 1898 • 1899 • 1900 • 1901 • 1902 • 1903 • 1904 • 1905 • 1906 • 1907 • 1908 • 1909 • 1910 • 1911 • 1912 • 1913 • 1914 • 1915 • 1916 • 1917 • 1919 • 1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1937 • 1938 • 1939 • 1940 • 1941 • 1942 • 1943 • 1944 • 1945 • 1946 • 1947 • 1948 • 1949 • 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009
Stadium
Rivalries
Key Personnel
Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham • Offensive Coordinator: Dave Schramm • Defensive Coordinator: Kalani Sitake
Undefeated seasons
1926 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1941 • 2004 • 2008
Conference Championships
1912 • 1919 • 1922 • 1926 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1938 • 1940 • 1941 • 1942 • 1947 • 1948 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1957 • 1964 • 1995 • 1999 • 2003 • 2004 • 2008
v • d • e
BYU Cougars football
All-time record
494-372-26
Teams
1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1937 • 1938 • 1939 • 1940 • 1941 • 1942 • 1943 • 1944 • 1945 • 1946 • 1947 • 1948 • 1949 • 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009
Rivalries
The Holy War • Beehive Boot
Key Personnel
Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall • Offensive Coordinator: Robert Anae • Defensive Coordinator: Jaime Hill
Heisman Trophy Winner
Stadiums

Cougar Stadium • LaVell Edwards Stadium
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_War_(Utah_vs._BYU)"