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LAS VEGAS — What happens in Vegas won't stay in Vegas. Instead, it will return to the state of Utah and be talked about for years to come.
The BYU-Utah rivalry reached new heights in this year's Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. Bragging rights were on the line, and whoever came out with ammo would clinch the win. The Utes won the game 35-28, but it came down to the wire.
Utah's defense came ready to play. BYU's first five possessions included five turnovers and five Utah touchdowns. A one-hour 10-minute first quarter ended with the Utes up 35-0 — the most points scored in the opening quarter of a bowl game by any FBS team in the last decade.
#MagicHappens — Blackout Ute (@BlackoutUte) December 19, 2015
During the first drive of the game, BYU quarterback Tanner Magnum fumbled on the 25-yard line. The Utes capitalized and running back Joe Williams scored a touchdown, giving Utah the early lead.
JW 🔥🔥🔥🔥 — TheRealU (@therealutahutes) December 19, 2015
The turnovers were far from over, especially for Ute safety Tevin Carter. He got a pick six on the Cougars' first play of their second drive. But one interception wasn't enough for him. With nine minutes left in the quarter, Carter caught another interception, running the ball to the 1-yard line. It set up another Utah score and the team led 21-0.
Utes on a roll! 🙌 #LasVegasBowl — Dom Lewis (@DommyDigital1) December 19, 2015
> DEM UTE BOYZ CAME TO PLAY, BABY! > > — TheJazzyUte (@TheJazzyUte) [December 19, 2015](https://twitter.com/TheJazzyUte/status/678319721016496130)
> Tevin Carter came to play today!!! > > — PT3 (@PatrickT30) [December 19, 2015](https://twitter.com/PatrickT30/status/678322126647001088)
As the first quarter continued, so did the turnovers. Utah cornerback Dominique Hatfield got a 46-yard pick, putting the Utes up 28 points — the most by a team in the Las Vegas Bowl. Utah's three interceptions are also the most by any player or team in the bowl.
Utahs D is too real.... — Big Weezy (@Jeffrey_Hatch) December 19, 2015
The second and third quarters were dry as the only scores — two touchdowns — came from BYU. Utes punter Tom Hackett provided entertainment, punting the ball within the 5-yard line several times and moving the chains 21 yards on a fourth-and-7 trick play.
For a guy who says he doesn't like to run around much...#goutes#LasVegasBowlhttps://t.co/3YtzcureFR — Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) December 19, 2015
The fourth quarter came and BYU continued to score, making 28 unanswered points after the Utes' large first-quarter lead. But Utah held on and won its second consecutive Las Vegas Bowl and fifth straight game against its in-state rival. The Pac-12 team finishes its season 10-3 — one more win than last year.
10-3 is a good season. Lot's of things changing next season but this is a solid foundation to build on to keep climbing up the Pac-12 ladder
> 10-3 is a good season. Lot's of things changing next season but this is a solid foundation to build on to keep climbing up the Pac-12 ladder > > — #BeatBYURegularly (@ute_pilot) December 20, 2015
> 5 years in a row. 👊🏼 \> \> — Taylor Cella (@Taylor\_McKell97) [December 20, 2015](https://twitter.com/Taylor_McKell97/status/678370913897676800)
This is the best Christmas present
> This is the best Christmas present > > — Ryan Lacy (@SpotlightLacy) December 19, 2015
