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SALT LAKE CITY — The college football regular season has concluded and only BYU and Utah State will get to play in the postseason. Utah will miss the postseason for the second year in a row.
The college football season came quickly and will certainly be missed. Now that the regular season has concluded it's time to look back at all the highlights, lowlights and all the fun that is college football.
The KSL Sports team had a chance to look back at the season and have handed out awards for the three local teams.
Feel free to agree, disagree, laugh, cry and fall in love. Or get on Twitter and tell us how wrong we all were.
Let's introduce the cast:
| KSL Sports Team | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Clyde (JC) | [Follow @ClydeFlix](https://twitter.com/ClydeFlix) | Josh Furlong (JF) | [Follow @JFurKSL](https://twitter.com/JFurKSL) | Matt Glade (MG) | [Follow @matthewLaggies](https://twitter.com/matthewLaggies) |
| Spencer Hall (SH) | [Follow @saltcityhoops](https://twitter.com/saltcityhoops) | Robert Jackson (RJ) | [Follow @rojakcKSL](https://twitter.com/rojackKSL) | Jarom Moore (JM) | [Follow @jarommoore](https://twitter.com/jarommoore) |
| Dave Noriega (DN) | [Follow @davenoriega](https://twitter.com/davenoriega) | Jon Oglesby (JO) | [Follow @thethunderrolls](https://twitter.com/thethunderrolls) | Jason Shepherd (JS) | [Follow @kslshep](https://twitter.com/kslshep) |
| Greg Wrubell (GW) | [Follow @gregwrubell](https://twitter.com/gregwrubell) | Rod Zundel (RZ) | [Follow @RodZundel](https://twitter.com/RodZundel) |
And now for the awards:
Most Valuable Player
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Jason Shepherd: Taysom Hill - After struggling at quarterback for several seasons, Taysom solidified the position for BYU. He also avoided injury and showed everyone what the Cougar offense can do with a healthy signal caller. *Close second* Robert Jackson: Trevor Reilly - 100 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble forced. And a game-saving interception in his final game capped off a dominant season for the versatile defensive end/linebacker. | JC: Taysom Hill - He was the backbone of the Cougars. JF: Trevor Reilly - Although Kyle Van Noy and Taysom Hill could easily go here, Reilly was the heart of the Utah defense and was the most "valuable" asset on the team. MG: Joey DeMartino - I know, his stats aren't gaudy like Taysom or Jamaal's, but he has been more valuable to his team than anybody. Utah State lost five starters on offense and still managed to get to the MWC Championship game because DeMartino put the offense on his back, scoring TD's in six straight games, including three against New Mexico; and rushed for over 100 yards in four of the last five games. He is a big reason the Aggies are where they are. SH: Kyle Van Noy JM: Trevor Reilly - The ubiquitous "valuable" goes to the man who was the heart and sole of a team. Reilly did everything even if the wins didn't show. DN: Taysom Hill - After three games, Hill was the third best quarterback in the state. Incredible turnaround. JO: Kyle Van Noy - Quite simply, Kyle Van Noy is one of the most dynamic defensive players BYU has ever seen. The senior collected 61 tackles, and also led the team in quarterback hits with 13. He also engineered the play that turned the Cougars' season around. GW: Taysom Hill RZ: Taysom Hill |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Dave Noriega: Taysom Hill - Quarterback U has never churned out a 2,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher. Oh yeah, he's a sophomore. *Close second* Jason Shepherd: Taysom Hill - With 2,645 yards passing and 1,211 rushing, Taysom was a nightmare for opposing defenses. Hill gave BYU the dual-threat they desperately wanted. | JC: Jamaal Williams - Williams had over 1,000-yards rushing and was a game changer. JF: Taysom Hill - It's pretty much a no-brainer than Taysom should get this. Amounting over 3,000 yards of total offense is an amazing feat, especially given where he started at the beginning of the season MG: Taysom Hill - Over 3,800 yards of total offense and 28 total touchdowns make this a no-brainer. SH: Taysom Hill RJ: Joey DeMartino - Injuries can plague every football team, but it seemed like 2013 was out to get the Aggies. Stepping in for an injured Joe Hill, DeMartino rushed for over 1,000 yards, scored 13 total touchdowns, while averaging 5.6 yards per carry on his way to guiding Utah State to the conference title game. JM: Taysom Hill - He had the most passing and rushing yards of the three schools. Joey DeMartino gets an honorable mention, though. JO: Joey DeMartinio - After Utah State lost Chuckie Keeton for the season, Joey DiMartino needed to have increased presence in the offense. The Aggies have won five consecutive games, and DiMartino has rushed for over 100 yards in four of those games. Also, his ability to run has forced opponents to load the box, which has helped Garretson. GW: Taysom Hill RZ: Cody Hoffman |
Defensive Player of the Year
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Jarom Moore: Kyle Van Noy - He does everything and he does it so well. Another amazing year where he stuffed the stat line. *Close second* Jon Oglesby: Trevor Reilly - Reilly led Utah in total tackles, with 100 overall tackles. Also, he registered double-digit tackle counts in four games (UCLA, Arizona, USC, Colorado). Reilly saved his best performance for last, making 14 tackles and getting an interception. | JC: Kyle Van Noy - He affected nearly every single play he was in. JF: Trevor Reilly - I went back and forth between Trevor Reilly and Kyle Van Noy, but I'm sticking with Reilly. Reilly was the most consistent player on the Utes all season and was a major threat as both a defensive tackle and linebacker. MG: Jake Doughty - He leads the seventh-ranked defense in the country with 130 tackles. Throw in 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 pass break ups, and an interception and you have yourself the defensive player of the year. SH: Trevor Reilly RJ: Kyle Van Noy - One of the top 10 best defensive players of 2013. Van Noy just makes plays in pretty much every game he plays. DN: Kyle Van Noy - He wasn't as statistically dominant as last year, but the defenses entire game plan focused on Kyle Van Noy — still a massive disruptor. JS: Uani Unga - He led the Cougars in tackles by a mile. Unga had 136 tackles for the season; the next closest was Craig Bills with 69. GW: Uani Unga RZ: Kyler Fackrell |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Robert Jackson: Andy Phillips - We all heard the story of the alpine skier playing in his first-ever football game in 2013. The results that Phillips achieved were nothing short of extraordinary. Phillips connected on 17 of 20 field goals on the season, while executing two onside kicks to perfection against Utah State and UCLA. *Close second* Dave Noriega: Andy Phillips - Did you know he was on the U.S. Ski Team? | JC: JD Falslev - Heart and leadership. JF: Andy Phillips - It's hard to argue against a guy that had never played football before. Nothing phased him or the ice water in his veins. He will likely go down as the university's best placekicker — sorry Louie. MG: Andy Phillips - 17-20 field goals and 41-41 on extra points — pretty good. Jojo Natson has had a great year returning punts as well. Plus, he gives us [moments like this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa7lVNp0MgQ). SH: Adam Hine JM: JoJo Natson - Two punt return touchdowns with the 22nd best punt return average in the nation. JO: Andy Phillips - A former skier on the U.S. Olympic Team, Phillips made 17 of 20 field goal attempts in his first season with Utah. He also was 41 of 41 on his point-after-attempts. Additionally, he had 11 touchbacks. JS: Adam Hine - He ranked 15th in the nation with 27.8 yards per return. He would have had a few touchdowns as well, if it weren't for teammates penalties. GW: Adam Hine RZ: Justin Sorensen |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Jon Oglesby: Darell Garretson - A freshman quarterback thrust into the starting role, the Aggies have gone on a five-game winning streak since he took over for Craig Harrison midway through the Boise State game. Garretson has completed 97 of 154 passes, and has thrown nine touchdowns. Garretson threw two interceptions in his first game, and has thrown two in the five games since. *Close second* Robert Jackson: Jamaal Williams - No sophomore slump for BYU running back Jamaal Williams, rushing for 1,202 yards in 2013, surpassing the century mark in five games. | JC: Paul Lasike - He ran hard and learned to hold onto the ball. JF: Darell Garretson - Filling the shoes of Chuckie Keeton is no small feat. It was expected the Aggies would struggle to compete with Keeton's absence, but the team maintained under Garretson. MG: Travis Reynolds - The senior never had more than 25 catches and 250 yards before this season, but with the departure of Matt Austin and Chuck Jacobs, Reynolds shined. He became the go-to guy for freshman QB Darell Garretson, catching 51 passes for 832 yards and 4 touchdowns before going down with a season-ending knee injury against Colorado State. SH: Alani Fua JM: Uani Unga DN: Justin Sorensen - He hit 18-22 field goals and 44-44 extra points — as steady as Gisele's legs. JS: Eathyn Manumaleuna - After redshirting last year with a knee injury, there were question marks about how he would come back. There were many times this season where he was the best player on the field. GW: Eathyn Manumaleuna RZ: Jamaal Williams |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Dave Noriega: Trevor Reilly - He was an inspirational leader on and off the field. He brought maturity and production every week. *Close second* Matt Glade: Trevor Reilly - Reilly leaves big shoes to fill on that Utah defense. His versatility, play-making ability, and overall leadership will leave a huge hole for the Utes moving forward. | JC: Spencer Hadley - Between the suspension and his injury, Hadley missed most of the season and the BYU defense felt it in games like Wisconsin and Notre Dame. JF: Trevor Reilly/Cody Hoffman - Reilly was the epitome of a senior leader. He wasn't afraid of getting after teammates, but he was also mature, composed and a play-maker. Hoffman had a relatively quiet year, but is still the best receiver at BYU, and Hill will miss having him as a target. SH: Kyle Van Noy RJ: Mo Lee, Ryan Lacy, Reggie Topps - I'm grouping all three together because if Utah had a weakness on defense this season, it was in the secondary. Sure Keith McGill developed as the season went on, but having some returning talent in the secondary this season might have been enough to send the Utes to a bowl game. JM: Cody Hoffman - He didn't have the greatest production this year, but leaves the Cougars as statistically the greatest receiver for BYU. JO: Spencer Hadley - With Hadley out of the game against Utah, BYU didn't have all the athletes the Cougars needed to be able to stop the Utah attack. Also, the Cougars didn't force any turnovers, and fans were left wondering what could have been had Hadley been in the lineup. Without Hadley, BYU missed a golden opportunity to knock off Utah before the rivalry went on hiatus. JS: Dan Sorensen - He secured the secondary and BYU's defense was noticeably different when he wasn't on the field; plus he was a stellar special team's player. GW: Dan Sorensen RZ: Trevor Reilly |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Matt Glade: Utah vs. Stanford - Utah beats a Top 5 team in Rice-Eccles in a game that came down to the final play. It doesn't get better than that; although, Utah's games against UCLA and Oregon State weren't too shabby either. *Close second* Josh Furlong: Utah vs. Stanford - Despite the rough remainder of the season, it was clear that Utah was the better team when they played Stanford. The game was similar to the 2009 Sugar Bowl when Utah shocked Alabama. Both games had the element of surprise, but the team played its best ball. | JC: BYU vs. Houston/Utah vs. Stanford SH: Utah vs. Stanford/BYU vs. Texas RJ: Utah vs. Stanford - Entering 2013, the Utes lacked that signature Pac-12 win over one of the top tier teams in the conference. They finally got that against the Cardinal. From start to finish, the Utes proved that they can stand toe-to-toe with the best in the Pac-12. JM: Utah vs. Stanford - The rivalry games were good, but this was a well-played slugfest that produced a bright light in a dark year. DN: Utah vs. Stanford - Enough said. JO: Utah vs. Stanford - This game showed fans what Utah football could achieve when the lineup was complete and healthy. However, the following games led national pundits to question whether the win was a legitimate conquest of Stanford, or simply a week the Cardinal weren't playing their best. JS: BYU vs. Texas - The Longhorns were ranked 15th when they came to Provo and the Cougars dominated them on both sides of the football. GW: BYU vs. Texas RZ: Utah vs. Stanford |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Jarom Moore: BYU at Virginia - I know this is the worst game because when I looked back at the schedule, I actually made a "yuck" noise. *Close second* Robert Jackson: Utah at Arizona - One week removed from knocking off the No. 5 team in the country, the Utes traveled south to Tucson to take on the Wildcats. The Utes came out flat, and while they did battle back to take the lead, they had no answer for Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey, who torched the Utes for 232 yards. | JC: BYU at Virginia JF: BYU at Virginia - There's not a lot that needs to be said about this game. It was an awful situation and the Cougars were simply bested. MG: BYU vs. Utah - That game was painful to watch; yuck. SH: BYU at Utah State - Chuckie Keeton went down. DN: BYU vs. Utah JO: Utah State vs. Weber State - Weber State was already beat up after a 70-7 loss at Utah, and this game started a chain reaction that ultimately led to ten straight losses for the Wildcats — a losing streak that cost Jody Sears the title of head football coach at Weber. JS: BYU at Virginia - Do I really need to explain? GW: BYU at Virginia RZ: BYU at Virginia |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Josh Furlong: Nate Orchard - Orchard has quietly gotten it done on Utah's defense. I truly expect him to be the next Trevor Reilly or Tenny Palepoi for Utah. *Close second* Robert Jackson: Nate Orchard - Hard to believe that the former WR out of Highland High will be lining up as a senior for the Utes in 2014. We've seen him improve each season, and there's no reason to believe that that development won't continue onto his senior season as he picks up the slack from a graduating Trevor Reilly on the opposite side of the defensive line. | JC: Taysom Hill - He's just going to get better. MG: Nick Vigil - The redshirt freshman is coming into his own after taking over at outside linebacker. His 3.5 sacks and one interception the past two games are just a flash of the talent Vigil has and what we can expect to see in years to come. SH: Darell Garretson JM: JoJo Natson - First double-award winner for me. Natson has made little plays everywhere and next year he'll explode. DN: Taysom Hill - Duh! JO: Taysom Hill - Hill had his many naysayers over the course of the season, but it was easy to see his improvement as the season went on. After the first three games, where Hill completed under 40 percent of his passes, Hill had five games where he completed over 60 percent of his games. His performance in BYU's bowl game will tell the direction of his future. JS: Jamaal Williams - He was a star this season, but I expect the offense to feature him even more next year; and he's proven he can handle it. GW: Jamaal Williams RZ: Chuckie Keeton |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Jason Shepherd: Offensive Line Play - The O-line struggled all year and it had an affect on all aspects of the offense. Not only did they have issues in protection, but penalties were a problem all season. *Close second* Robert Jackson: CJ Poutasi - The offensive line was supposed to be a bright spot for the Utes. However, the position group seemed to disappoint rather than amaze. | JC: Ross Apo - He is poised to be "the guy" next year. He has to step up. JF: Offensive Line - During the fall camps, Utah's offensive line was talked up as one of the best in recent history. However, the Pac-12 has some pretty stingy defenses and it made it difficult for the offensive line to compete. It's not an excuse — just make it better. BYU, too, needs to address this quickly to help keep Taysom from getting injured. MG: BYU and Utah's offense - When they were clicking, they were really good; the problem was, they were too inconsistent. Both teams left games on the table because their offenses couldn't help out the defense. SH: Utah's QB Situation JM: Offensive Line Play - Yes, the Utes quarterback and BYU play-calling, or Utah play-calling, but all the line play on every team needs to improve. DN: Mitch Mathews - He has all the talent to replace Cody Hoffman, but production must match potential. GW: Offensive Line RZ: BYU and Utah |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Jon Oglesby: Chuckie Keeton injury - The BYU-Utah State matchup was hyped as the game that could see BYU slip to third in the state's college football hierarchy, with the Aggies' Heisman hopeful leading the charge. Instead, Keeton left the game with a knee injury that ended his season. Sure, Utah State ultimately ended up in the Mountain West championship game, but losses to BYU and Boise State might not have happened with Keeton on the field. *Close second* Matt Glade: Chuckie Keeton injury - Chuckie was on the verge of a special season when he tragically tore his ACL and MCL against BYU in October. He already had 1,388 yards passing, 18 touchdowns, only two interceptions, and a 69 percent completion percentage before going down. It's a shame we didn't get to see how he finished out. | JC: Robert Anae JF: CJ Poutasi - Prior to the season he was talked about as being an All-American-type player. However, he gave up on so many plays and hurt the quarterback situation. SH: Utah's Offense, Ross Apo, no caffeine at BYU games RJ: No bowl game for Utah - No more moral victories. While you battled toe-to-toe with some of the top teams in the country, the Utes finished conference play just 2-7. And with a 5-7 overall record, the Utes missed out on a bowl game for the second straight season. JM: Kelvin York - The Utes needed someone to step up at running back. It was York's job to lose and he didn't take it. DN: Chuckie Keeton injury - Watching Chuckie Keeton go down with an injury was devastating to every person — friend or foe. JS: Blue Zone Efficiency - BYU struggled all season inside the 20-yard line. The Cougars could have had more than their eight wins had they scored touchdowns instead of field goals in their losses. GW: Blue Zone Efficiency |
| The Best | The Rest |
|---|---|
|  Jon Oglesby: Kyle Van Noy - Van Noy is an NFL prospect because he can do so many different things on the football field. The opening interception against Utah State showed his coverage skills, he routinely reached the quarterback to show his ability as a pass rusher, and very few linebackers in college football close running lanes quicker than Van Noy. Van Noy's versatility will help him most in draft workouts. *Close second* Robert Jackson: Trevor Reilly - The versatile DE/LB showed that he can do it all for the Utes, even taking some snaps at wildcat this season. Reilly showcased his knack to make plays all over the field, a skill set that could make him a highly sought after hybrid defender in the NFL. | JC: Kyle Van Noy JF: Trevor Reilly/Kyle Van Noy - Both will get a shot at playing in the NFL because of their versatility and overall defensive presence. Who gets drafted first will be another debate, similar to Star and Ziggy. MG: Kyle Van Noy, Trevor Reilly, Nevin Lawson - All will play in the NFL. The end. SH: Kyle Van Noy and Trevor Reilly JM: Kyle Van Noy - I was going to be cute, but his skill set will allow him to do so much in the NFL. Lots of early draftees in the state this year, though. DN: Kyle Van Noy JS: Kyle Van Noy/Cody Hoffman - Both will have a home in the NFL next season, and both should make immediate impacts. GW: Kyle Van Noy/Cody Hoffman RZ: Cody Hoffman |
| The Best |
|---|
| JC: BYU's game-winning drive against Houston JF: Dres Anderson's catch for a touchdown over Stanford - Dres was the king of catching impossible passes. And what better play than his catch from Travis Wilson against Stanford? The play was easily one of the biggest plays in that game. SH: Goal line stand by Utah against Stanford MG: Kyler Fackrell's 99-yard interception return for a touchdown - I nearly went with [Chuckie's completion to Travis Reynolds](http://youtu.be/zcJp5noap0I) in the Utah game. However, considering how great the interception was itself and how many tacklers he eluded, there is no question in my mind this is the play of the year. RJ: Dres Anderson stop-and-go route against BYU - Set up perfectly with short slants and hitches for the majority of the first half, QB Travis Wilson connected with Dres Anderson on a stop and go route. Anderson got behind the coverage, and after hauling in the catch, crossed over the field all the way down to the one yard line setting up a Utah touchdown right before the half. DN & JO: Kyle Van Noy's pick six to open the game at Utah State JS & GW: Cody Hoffman touchdown catch while being horse collared against Georgia Tech |
| End of Season Prediction Results | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Twitter** | **Record** | **BYU** | **Utah** | **USU** | |
| Robert Jackson | [Follow @rojakcKSL](https://twitter.com/rojackKSL) | 29-7/td> | |||
| Jason Shepherd | [Follow @kslshep](https://twitter.com/kslshep) | 28-8/td> | |||
| Spencer Hall | [Follow @saltcityhoops](https://twitter.com/saltcityhoops) | 26-10/td> | |||
| John Clyde | [Follow @ClydeFlix](https://twitter.com/ClydeFlix) | 26-10/td> | |||
| Jeremiah Jensen | [Follow @JJSportsBeat](https://twitter.com/JJSportsBeat) | 26-10/td> | |||
| Josh Furlong | [Follow @JFurKSL](https://twitter.com/JFurKSL) | 25-11/td> | |||
| Jarom Moore | [Follow @jarommoore](https://twitter.com/jarommoore) | 25-11/td> | |||
| Dave Noriega | [Follow @davenoriega](https://twitter.com/davenoriega) | 24-8/td> | |||
| Jon Oglesby | [Follow @thethunderrolls](https://twitter.com/thethunderrolls) | 24-12/td> | |||
| Rod Zundel | [Follow @RodZundel](https://twitter.com/RodZundel) | 21-12/td> | |||
| Matt Glade | [Follow @matthewLaggies](https://twitter.com/matthewLaggies) | 22-14/td> | |||
| Mike Grant | [Follow @mikegrantksl](https://twitter.com/mikegrantksl) | 17-8/td> |
That's it for this year's end of year awards. Let us know how we did. Catch us on Twitter: @kslsports.
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