Streak's over

FORT WORTH — Ribbit. And just like that, Utah's 18-game winning streak and a handful of other consecutive successes are history.

A 23-20 overtime loss to TCU on a warm, muggy night at Amon G. Carter Stadium put an end to all that in the Mountain West Conference opener for both teams.

"Nothing lasts forever," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "The win streak wasn't to go on for infinity, obviously."

Late heroics by the Horned Frogs, who opened the season with a win at highly touted Oklahoma before a surprising loss at SMU, sent the Utes to their first defeat since a 47-35 loss on Oct. 25, 2003.

"It was a heckuva run," Whittingham said. "We had our chances tonight, but give TCU credit. Their defense played well and their offense did just enough to get the victory."

Utah's overtime woes began with losing the coinflip. Forced to go first in a format where both teams get possession at the opponent's 25, the Utes wound up settling for a 34-yard field goal by Dan Beardall.

TCU's offense then took its turn. Three consecutive runs by Robert Merrill moved the Horned Frogs to the Utah 4. The Utes then stopped Cory Rodgers for no gain before quarterback Tye Gunn's touchdown pass to a wide open Michael DePriest for the game-winning score.

"We found a way to make a play. I knew we had a chance. It seemed like the longer the game was going to go, the Texas humidity was going to help us," said TCU coach Gary Patterson. "We got a couple of good plays and we got the ball down first and goal. Michael DePriest made a great play."

Whittingham said the pick route was a great call by the Horned Frogs. Safety Eric Weddle claimed little could be done stopping it unless a penalty flag is thrown.

It wasn't.

"A tough way to lose," said Utah quarterback Brian Johnson. "We've got to be poised and bounce back."

Utah plays host to Air Force next Thursday. Whittingham said his team will work hard to get back to their winning ways.

The Utes took a 17-7 lead with 10:10 remaining in the third quarter when Johnson scored on a keeper from one-yard out. They reached the end zone after marching 48 yards on 10 plays, including a 15-yard pass from Johnson to Brent Casteel on third-and-11 to set up the score.

TCU, however, came storming back.

It took the Horned Frogs exactly two minutes to respond. That's when Merrill took a pitch and ran four yards for a touchdown to make it 17-14.