But the BYU offense, which had averaged better than 50 points per game in their previous three, got rolling in the second half. The Cougars scored 21 points in the third quarter and 10 more in the fourth to tie the game and had all the momentum going their way when they got the ball back with 2:32 remaining in regulation and the score tied at 34.

But, for just the second time in the second half, the Ute defense held and forced a punt with 1:22 remaining.

"They came out strong in the second half," said Ute safety Eric Weddle. "We had a tough time. They were making plays all over the field. But at the end we knew it would be up to us as a defense if we were going to win this game and everyone stepped up and made the plays."

Utah scored a quick touchdown in the overtime period, but it wasn't over yet. The Ute defense still had to hold. The Utes held Curtis Brown to a yard on first down, forced Beck to scramble for just three yards on second down and then Beck threw an incomplete pass on third.

Then it was time for the Utes to pull out "the circus" one last time.

It worked just like Whittingham and defensive coordinator Gary Andersen had drawn it up.

"The defense rose up and had enough left in the tank to get it done," said Whittingham.

"We came together as a family," added Weddle. "Nobody expected us to win this game or even to compete. We proved all the doubters wrong."

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E-mail: lojo@desnews.com