Rivalry week

RIVALRY FACTS

After two straight victories in 2002 and 2003, the No. 5 Utes have a chance this week to beat the Cougars for the third straight time. That hasn't happened in this rivalry since 1993-1995, when the Utes won three straight games (34-31 in 1993, 34-31 in 1994 and 34-17 in 1995), two of which came at Cougar Stadium in Provo.

During the late 1990s, the rivalry was more balanced, with the schools alternating victories between 1996 and 2000. BYU broke through with a second straight victory in 2001. But the Cougars have not had prolonged success against the Utes since the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Cougars won four straight between 1989-93 (70-31 in 1989, 45-22 in 1990, 48-17 in 1991 and 31-22 in 1992).

CLASSIC CONTESTS

1999: Utah 20, BYU 17: For BYU, this game was considered an outright failure.

After beginning the season 8-1 and firmly entrenching itself in the national polls, BYU had two shots to wrap up an outright conference championship. The Cougars lost the previous week to Wyoming, and on this day, the Utes forced No. 19 BYU to share.

Ute quarterback T.D. Croshaw threw for two touchdowns and the Utah defense dominated BYU's one-dimensional attack in a 20-17 win that earned the Utes a piece of the MWC title. It was Utah's fourth straight victory at Cougar Stadium in Provo.

With freshman sensation Luke Staley on the sideline, BYU's offense managed just 28 rushing yards. Utah defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham had two schemes planned — one with Staley in the game, and one without. With the running back sidelined and the Cougars trying to move the ball almost exclusively through the air, the Utes dropped eight men into pass coverage and controlled BYU's offense. The Cougars trailed 6-3 at halftime.

"Everyone was covered, and they still had a good pass rush," BYU quarterback Kevin Feterik said. "It was tough today. I felt like everyone was double covered."

In the second half, BYU took the lead on a 77-yard touchdown pass from Feterik to Margin Hooks, but Utah answered right back with a long pass of its own. Croshaw found Cliff Russell for 70 yards for the go-ahead score. Utah increased the margin to 20-10 on a 4-yard pass to Donny Utu.

BYU managed to rally, cutting the lead to 20-17 on a Feterik-to-Ben Horton 6-yard touchdown pass with 2:20 to play. The Cougars got the ball back, but Andre Dyson sealed the win by picking off Feterik with 1:09 to play.