It was fitting that the game-winning touchdown pass with no time on the clock in BYU's 33-31 victory over Utah involved two seniors — quarterback John Beck and tight end Jonny Harline.

The Cougar senior class had endured several humbling losses to the Utes over the years, and on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, they exorcised some demons. It was BYU's first victory over Utah since 2001.

"Most of my satisfaction comes for the seniors," said coach Bronco Mendenhall. "I've seen them struggle for a number of years and answer a lot of questions. There's no other questions they have to answer. They're conference champions, they're undefeated, and they came here, into this stadium, against our archrival, and won the football game."

"We've been waiting for this moment since we got here," senior running back Curtis Brown said. "It's only a big game if you come out on top. If you lose, it's horrible. For us to come out on top means so much to all of us, not just the seniors. This team is strong. If you have the right things in place, if you have the coaching and the right players leading you, anything's possible."

The Cougars' experience was cited as one of the reasons for their ability to rally from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and to rally again on the final drive with 1:19 remaining in the game.

"Everyone on the sideline kept telling each other, 'We're going to be all right.' We knew we would come back and win it," said Harline, who hauled in the 11-yard game-winner while on his knees in the end zone.

Mendenhall was thrilled that Beck, much-maligned during his career, led the final drive.

"If I were to have scripted a drive and if there could have been a series to define his growth, development and leadership, I think his critics are finished and they have no voice," he said. "There have been those who have been his critics maybe even at different points this season. I'm not sure at every turn he hasn't answered the call and done everything the great quarterbacks have done. That's what he should be measured as."

Beck, who completed 28 of 43 passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns, savored the win.

"Those are moments you dream about in your football career. There have been some tough times here at BYU, but that magic is back, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it," Beck said. "This is what we prepared for. All those times the last two years where we've come so close have been preparing me for this. I've gone over plays in my head, and those losses prepared me for moments like this, when a play needs to be made, just to be calm and make a play."

There's still a bowl game left for BYU's seniors, but they are gratified to have snapped a four-game losing streak to the Utes and completed an undefeated Mountain West Conference season.

"This mountain that this senior class has had to climb is the toughest mountain I've ever had to climb," Beck said. "It's great to be able to stand on the top and be able to look out and feel like a champion. Right now, I feel like we're standing on top of a mountain, and it's a great feeling."

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com