2005 Top 10 local sports stories

Two first-time events that also made national news when they happened last year — double No. 1 draft picks and busting the BCS — were the most noteworthy local sports stories of 2005.

In voting by the Deseret Morning News sports staff, the success of Utah quarterback Alex Smith and basketball center Andrew Bogut was selected as the top story of the year. Close behind was the Ute football team winning two bowl games, including the Fiesta Bowl in January 2005, where Utah because the first team from a non-BCS conference to play in a Bowl Championship Series game.

Never before had No. 1 picks in the NFL and NBA drafts the same year come from the same university — until 2005, when Utah's Smith and Bogut were both taken No. 1.

Smith had led the Utes to an unbeaten season and a Fiesta Bowl win, but his stock kept rising in pre-draft camps, and the San Francisco 49ers grabbed him with the top pick. His rookie season was less-than-spectacular, in large part because of an inexperienced offensive line.

Bogut came on strong during Utah's 29-6 Sweet 16 season and claimed every national player of the year award, including the Wooden and Naismith awards. There was little doubt the Milwaukee Bucks would take Bogut with the top pick, making history for the University of Utah. Though inconsistent, Bogut has started nearly every Bucks game this season and averages 8.8 points and 7.5 rebounds with several double-doubles.

2. U. football, 2 bowl wins

Utah's football program had quite a year — winning two bowl games, reaching the financially lucrative Bowl Championship Series and having Smith taken No. 1 in the NFL Draft.

The Utes capped a 12-0 2004 season with a resounding 35-7 victory over Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1. They finished the season ranked fourth nationally as the Urban Meyer era came to an end. When Meyer bolted for the big bucks in Florida, Utah hired longtime assistant coach Kyle Whittingham as his successor — winning a tug-of-war with archrival BYU.

Whittingham's first season at the helm had its share of ups and downs. The Utes (7-5) overcame a three-game skid in the middle of the season, however, to finish on a couple of high notes. They defeated BYU 41-34 in overtime at LaVell Edwards Stadium before overpowering 24th-ranked Georgia Tech 38-10 in the Emerald Bowl. Backup Brett Ratliff, subbing for the injured Brian Johnson, quarterbacked the Utes to victory in both games.

3. Jazz struggles

The Jazz's year started lousily and went downhill.