GAME BLOG: (15) BYU 26, (19) Utah 23

FINAL
Score: (15) BYU 26, (19) Utah 23
PROVO -- Utah rallied back from a 14 point deficit to send the game into overtime, but BYU quarterback Max Hall connected with Andrew George from 25 yards out to win 26-23 over the Utes.

Utah kicker Joe Phillips made a 40 yard attempt to send the game into overtime. He was 5-5 on field goals.

Max Hall finished the game 12/32 for 134 yards and two touchdowns, one of them being the game winner to George.

Time Remaining: Overtime Session 1
Score: (15) BYU 26, (19) Utah 23

BYU wins the coin toss, and will start the overtime on defense. First and ten Utes from the 25. The Utes manage one first down, but cannot get into the end zone. Joe Phillips' 29 yard field goal attempt is good. BYU just needs a touchdown for the win.

Andrew George catches the pass from Max Hall and runs into the end zone from 25 yards out to win the game for BYU.

Time Remaining: End of Fourth Quarter
Score: (15) BYU 20, (19) Utah 20

Max Hall misses on open Dennis Pitta on 3rd and 16, and the Utes will have one more shot at this one. The Utes will have it on their own 33 yard line. Eddie Wide breaks off a run to the right for a big first down, but it should have been called back for holding. Utes finally catch a break. Facing 4th and 5, the Utes bring on Joe Phillips for a 40 yard field goal attempt. Phillips kick is good, and we are now tied at 20.

BYU chooses to run out the clock and we are headed to overtime.

Time Remaining: 4:28 Fourth Quarter
Score: (15) BYU 20, (19) Utah 17

On 4th and 4, the Utes convert on a big pass to Aiona Key for 11 yards. Eddie Wide then runs right up the middle of BYU's defense for a 18 yards down to the BYU 3 yard line. Two plays later Eddie Wide takes it in from 1 yard out to cut BYU's lead to 3. (Wynn found Reed in the back of the end zone for the 2 point conversion).

Max Hall tries to scramble on third down and cannot convert as Koa Misi wraps him up for a gain of only two. BYU is forced to punt, and the Utes will have just over five minutes left, starting from their own 37 yard line.

BYU brings pressure and the Utes can't convert 3rd and 5. Utah is forced to punt. Another kick catch interference call tacks on 15 to the play, giving the Cougars great field position on the 35 yard line.

Time Remaining: 10:43 Fourth Quarter
Score: (15) BYU 20, (19) Utah 9

Defensive victory for BYU as they hold the Utes to a 31 yard field goal by Joe Phillips.

It appeared the BYU was going to get their first penalty of the second half on the kickoff, but the refs waved the flag off on what should have been a block in the back. Cougars still without a penalty in the second half. So much for that, BYU is called for delay of game three plays later. Utah's defense holds and forces a BYU punt. A huge punt return by Shaky Smithson gives the Utes the ball all the way down on the BYU 36. The return went for 41 yards.

Time Remaining: End of Third Quarter
Score: (15) BYU 20, (19) Utah 6

Utah's defense knocks down a Max Hall pass on third down, preventing what would have been a big first down completion to a wide open McKay Jacobsen. The Utes will have the ball on their own 46 yard line after the punt.

On third and ten, Wynn finally completes a pass to Shaky Smithson for a 24 yard gain. Utah will face a third and 7 on the BYU 13 yard line to start the fourth quarter.

Time Remaining: 3:42 Third Quarter
Score: (15) BYU 20, (19) Utah 6

Utah's eight penalty of the day negates a nice run by Eddie Wide that would have given Utah a first down. Utes can't convert and will be forced to punt again. Eight penalties for the Utes for 83 yards; four for the Cougars for 45 yards, but zero in the second half.

Utes force a three and out, and will have it on their own 29 after the BYU punt. The Utah offense does actually pick up a first down on a run by Eddie Wide, something that has not been very common against this very aggressive BYU defense. However, it doesn't spark any life into the offense as they can't keep the drive alive and will be forced to punt yet again.

Time Remaining: 10:11 Third Quarter
Score: (15) BYU 20, (19) Utah 6

DeVonte Christopher sets the Utes up with good field position with a nice kickoff return to the 38 yard line. Jan Jorgensen just came up with a big defensive sack on Jordan Wynn to force 3rd and 14. Utes can't convert and will have to punt.

BYU gets another gift 15 yards on a kick catch interference. Momentum continues the Cougars way as Harvey Unga breaks a 27 yard run down the left sideline. The one-sided officiating continues as Koa Misi strips Unga and Robert Johnson recovers, but the refs overturn the call. No inconclusive evidence should equal the call on the field stands, but the Cougars catch another break. Cougars in scoring position again on the Utah 18 yard line. Hall throws a TD pass to Manasse Tonga for another touchdown, and the Cougars go up 14 points. Game over.

PROVO -- Harvey Unga scored the only touchdown of the first half and the BYU Cougars hold a 13-6 lead over the Utah Utes.

The touchdown was set up by a 43 yard punt return by O'Neill Chambers, setting the Cougars up in great field position on the Utah 7 yard line.

Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn started the game out 6-6 for 47 yards, but has since only thrown 4-11 for 54 yards and an interception.

Five personal foul penalties were called in a heated defensive battle.

Update on the Keys to the Game for Utah

• Rattle the Cage - Passing, Max Hall only was 8/23 for 83 yards, but he did break off some pretty impressive runs that kept drives alive.
• Wynn it deep - Jordan Wynn started off 6-6 for 47 yards, but his production has dropped off dramatically since the Utes scored on their first two drives.

Update on the Keys to the Game for BYU

• Give it to Harvey - Unga has 12 carries for 40 and a touchdown.
• Jan's big day - BYU DE Jan Jorgensen has been a solid anchor for their defensive line, holding the Utes to only 9 yards rushing.

Time Remaining: 0:03 Second Quarter
Score: (15) BYU 13, (19) Utah 6

Utes come up with a big defensive hold to force a BYU punt, and the Utes will have it first and ten on their own 20. After starting out 0-5 on third downs, the Utes finally convert one on a nice scramble to the left by Jordan Wynn. A few plays later, Wynn is sacked for a loss of 14 by Jordan Pendleton. A desperation pass by Jordan Wynn is picked off by Andrew Rich, who returns it all the way back to the Utah 23 yard line. Golden opportunity for the Cougars, who have complete control of this game.

Mitch Payne connects from 37 yards out to put the Cougars up 7.

Time Remaining: 4:59 Second Quarter
Score: (15) BYU 10, (19) Utah 6

Cougars have all the momentum, and the Utes don't do themselves any favors, picking up a huge personal foul penalty that takes the ball back half the distance to the goal. On the ensuing punt, O'Neill Chambers returns it all the way down the the Utah 7 yard line. Unga takes it in two plays later to give the Cougars the lead. Missed holding call on the outside gives Unga an open lane to run through.

Utes go three and out again. BYU is completely in control right now. Terrible punt coverage by the Utes again gives O'Neill Chambers another big return to midfield. Cougars are rolling now.

Time Remaining: 8:57 Second Quarter
Score: (19) Utah 6, (15) BYU 3

Cougars are unable to convert for 7, but Mitch Payne does make his 28 yard attempt to put the Cougars on the board, 6-3. Matt Reynolds sprained his left ankle, and his return is uncertain.

BYU's kickoff goes out of bounds, and the Utes will have the ball on their own 40. The Utes get one first down, but the Cougar defense buckles down and forces a Utah punt. BYU will start on their own 12 yard line following the punt.

Koa Misi sacks Max Hall for a loss of six on the Cougars first play. Hall recovers, and scrambles for a big 17 yard gain and another first down two plays later. Hall is making some incredibly big plays on his feet. On third and four, Hall again has all day to throw, and finds an open Dennis Pitta for another Cougar first down. Utah is finally able to stop this Cougar offense near midfield, forcing a Cougar punt that goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Time Remaining: End of First Quarter
Score: (19) Utah 6, (15) BYU 0

An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gives the Cougars an extra 15 yards added to the kickoff return, the best starting field position for the Cougars today (own 37). BYU picks up their 1st first down on a Harvey Unga run to the left. Facing third and ten, Hall has all day, scrambles to the right and picks up a huge BYU first down. Big play for the Cougars who have the ball down on the Utah 36. Hall is moving the Cougars, who have another first down on the Utah 13 yard line. Matt Reynolds, BYU's left tackle, looks to have tweaked his knee or ankle. Hopefully it is not serious and he can return to the game. The Utes hold and force a Mitch Payne field goal attempt, but a personal foul penalty gives the Cougars a gift first down. The penalty was on Aiona Key, who did nothing but jump up and try to block the field goal attempt. Bad call gives the Cougars another chance to get 7.

Time Remaining: 6:13 First Quarter
Score: (19) Utah 6, (15) BYU 0

Harvey Unga was rocked by Robert Johnson. Both teams hitting very hard right now. BYU is unable to convert a 3rd and two and BYU will again have to punt. Great field position again for the Utes on the 46 yard line.

Jordan Wynn is on fire. Wynn completes a deep ball to David Reed to put the Utes down on the BYU 12 yard line. It was a simple post route and Wynn put the ball right on the money. BYU's defense holds on three straight runs, and Joe Phillips' 21 yard field goal attempt good to put the Utes up six.

Time Remaining: 11:16 First Quarter
Score: (19) Utah 3, (15) BYU 0

BYU is wearing royal blue uniforms to honor the 1984 championship team. Utah is in their all white road uniforms with red helmets. BYU won the coin toss and elected to receive. Kickoff goes through the end zone and BYU will start on their own 20. After 2 direct snaps to Harvey Unga for four yards, LaMar Champman breaks up a Max Hall pass intended for Dennis Pitta, forcing a BYU punt. Utah will start on their own 45 yard line after the punt.

First play for the Utes is a Jordan Wynn to David Reed completion for 20 yards. Reed came right over the middle for the catch. On his next completion to Jereme Brooks for another first down, Wynn is hit hard and has to come out of the game for a play. Terrance Cain comes in and loses 14 yards on the reverse to David Reed. Ouch. The Utes can't convert the 3rd and 19, and Joe Phillips' 39 yard field goal attempt is good to put the Utes on the board first. Wynn looks to be okay, returning to the game after missing just one play. Wynn was 4-4 for 47 yards on that scoring drive.

• Rattle the Cage - Last year, Utah picked off Max Hall five times and forced him to lose one fumble. If the Utes can get inside Hall's head again early on, will Max force the issue again?
• Wynn it deep - Utah freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn will need to air out the deep ball to stretch BYU's defense and make them respect the pass

Keys to the Game for BYU

• Give it to Harvey - Unlike last season, BYU needs to balance out the offense and not rely so much on the passing game. Harvey will need to get his touches today.
• Jan's big day - BYU DE Jan Jorgensen will need to put pressure on Wynn, forcing him to make quick decisions. Jan will also be key to containing the outside run.

Key Match-up
BYU's passing offense (#9 NCAA, 303.0 YPG) vs. Utah's pass defense (#15 NCAA, 176.4 YPG). Max Hall vs. Brandon Burton, RJ Stanford, Joe Dale and Robert Johnson.

My Prediction

The Holy War returns to Provo, home of the infamous "4th and 18" and "Magic Happens" quotes that have added fuel to an already bitter and intense rivalry. Both teams are 9-2, 6-1 in conference play, and both teams were crushed by TCU.

For the Cougars, the 2009 season started off with a bang as they shocked the world by knocking off then #3 Oklahoma 14-13. Things would quickly fall as they lost two home games, one to a mediocre Florida State team and the other to TCU.

For the Utes, 2009 was supposed to be a rebuilding year. The Utes had to replace eight offensive starters and three NFL draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. Oh, and the Utes had to replace Sugar Bowl MVP Brian Johnson at quarterback. The Utes have managed a 9-2 season, with road losses at PAC 10 leader Oregon and TCU.

Offensively, when the Cougars are on a roll, they are almost unstoppable. Max Hall has plenty of options available to throw to. His top two targets, McKay Jacobsen and Dennis Pitta, will have catch everything thrown their way, and the Utah defense will have a tough time slowing them down. Add Harvey Unga to the mix, and it is extremely difficult to prepare for this explosive BYU offense.

Jordan Wynn will be making only his fourth start for the Utes. BYU's linebacking core must be licking their chops, eager to blitz and confuse the freshman quarterback. Running back Eddie Wide will have to help Wynn out by grinding out first downs and keeping the offense out on the field. The Utes cannot go three and out on offense or BYU's offense will have a field day against a tired, worn out defense.

BYU has struggled against teams with fast athletes this season (Florida State, TCU, San Diego State, New Mexico, Oklahoma). While the Utes definitely are not as fast as TCU this season, they are just as fast or faster than the Aztecs and Lobos, both teams they beat by 31 points (38-7, 45-14). In a game of offense vs. defense, I'll take the Utah defense.

MY PREDICTION: Utah 38, BYU 34. Let me know what you think. Post your predictions/questions in the comment board.

• Utah has won five of the last seven games against BYU, and six of the last eight games in Provo.
• The Utes are 7-1 all-time in games when both they and their opponent are ranked in the Associated Press poll. They are 2-0 against BYU when both teams are ranked and 0-1 this season (lost to TCU).
• Utah has secured its eighth nine-win season in school history and its third straight. Five of Utah's nine-win seasons have come in the last seven years. Utah's nine-win seasons follow: 1964 (9-2), 1994 (10-2), 1999 (9-3), 2003 (10-2), 2004 (12-0), 2007 (9-4), 2008 (13-0), 2009 (9-2).
• Utah has won 23 of its last 25 games and 30 of its last 33 games.

BYU Miscellaneous Stats

• Under Bronco Mendenhall, BYU is 2-7 vs. ranked foes, with its wins being a 31-17 victory over No. 15 TCU on Sept. 28, 2006 and a 14-13 win over No. 3 Oklahoma on Sept. 5, 2009.
• The Cougars are 6-0 in games that they score first this season.
• Defeating Utah would give the Cougars another 10-2 season record, marking the 14th time in program history and extending the current streak to four. Never before has a BYU coach led his team to four consecutive 10-2 records.
• Senior tight end Dennis Pitta (2004, 07-09) needs two receptions to pass Austin Collie (2004, 07-08) as BYU's all-time leader in career receptions. Collie set the record in 2008 with 215 receptions.
• The Cougars have won 10 consecutive games decided by seven points or fewer.
• A victory on Saturday would give BYU its 200th win at LaVell Edwards Stadium since it was built in 1964.

Last Year
In what was billed as the game of the decade, No. 8/7 Utah claimed the Mountain West Conference title and improved to 12-0 with a 48-24 win over No. 14 Brigham Young. Brian Johnson was brilliant in his final game in Rice-Eccles Stadium, completing 30-of-36 passes for 303 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. The second-largest crowd in school history (46,488) witnessed a close game for three quarters before the Ute defense let loose—intercepting BYU's Max Hall five times and stripping him of the ball to stop another drive. The interceptions (two by Joe Dale) put the ball back in Johnson's hands and he steered Utah to 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points. Paul Kruger demoralized BYU with an interception (which he returned 30 yards to the Cougar 4-yard line), a fumble recovery, two pass breakups and six tackles. Other interceptions came from Robert Johnson and Sean Smith. Mike Wright led Utah with nine tackles.

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