Snow set to play today in Top of the Mountain Bowl

Things didn't go exactly as planned for Snow during its 2004 regular season. Heading into their final game at 5-4, the Badgers needed to beat Pima just to qualify for their own bowl game.

With their season on the line, Snow dispatched Pima 26-7 to earn a spot in the first-ever Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl. The Badgers (6-4) will play the Rochester College Yellow Jackets (9-2) today in the Top of the Mountains Bowl at Rice-Eccles Stadium (1 p.m.).

The bowl game presents an opportunity for a redemption of sorts for Snow coach Jeff Kilts and the Badgers.

"We've had our chances, but we are what we are," said Kilts. "I don't want to make excuses, but we're two plays away from winning two more games."

Snow dropped its final two home games in the final minutes.

Playing against Scottsdale in late October, Snow trailed by four points with 44 seconds left, but had a first-and-goal situation from the six-yard line. On first down, the Badgers had the ball stripped and Scottsdale recovered the fumble.

Two weeks later in its final home game, Snow trailed Glendale 21-23 in the waning moments. Needing only a field goal to win the contest, the Badgers had a 34-yard field goal attempt blocked.

With their past struggles seemingly in the rearview mirror, Snow will hope to finish its season with a win against Rochester College, a Minnesota school, today. The Yellow Jackets, who are coached by Brad LaPlante, were ranked No. 11 in the final regular-season NJCAA poll.

Snow's program has been known for its ability to throw the ball, and Kilts said that won't be changing today. Accordingly, the Badgers will be expecting a solid game from quarterback James Pritchard.

"We're going to be behind James Pritchard, and we'll try to pass," said running back Landon Beus. "We're going to put up a lot of points (today)."

Kilts said he also hopes to establish the run with Pritchard, who attended Fremont High School, Todd Daniels, and Curren Christensen, a Manti High School graduate.

Defensively, Snow hopes to limit Rochester College's rushing attack. Kilts said the Yellow Jackets will play play a "grind-it-out physical game."

"We want to stop the run, and try to make them throw it," said strong safety Ty Sparrow.

Snow's defensive line has benefited significantly from the addition of C.J. Ah You, the former BYU and Lone Peak High defensive end. Even though Ah You has eligibility issues, the defensive standout has received scholarship offers from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Boise State. Ah You, who notched 11 sacks during the regular season, could still return to Brigham Young as well.

The vision for the Top of the Mountains Bowl was the idea of Snow President Michael T. Benson. As long as the Badgers finish above .500, they will automatically host the game, which has the three-year financial backing of Zions Bank.

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