Harline lost by U., found by Beck

Jonny Harline knelt on his knees in the end zone, the game clock long since expired. He'd been standing, waving his arms to quarterback John Beck. It seemed like an eternity. Suddenly, the ball was heading his direction with everything on the line.

Tick, tick, tick. Harline cradled it like a loaf of bread.

That catch, the one that elevated BYU to a 33-31 win over Utah, is easily the biggest play of Harline's college career.

Same goes for Beck's throw. It solidified their place as pilots of a remarkable BYU championship season and 10-2 finish heading into the Las Vegas Bowl.

A year ago in LaVell Edwards Stadium, against these same Utes, Harline's quarterback had faced a similar situation in overtime. Beck's pass ended up bouncing harmlessly out of the reach of Michael Reed, securing a Utah win.

But on this day, in what may go down as one of the most thrilling games ever played in this storied rivalry, Harline was on his knees, waiting like a catcher for the pitcher to deliver a strike. And he did.

"I wasn't thinking about anything but making the play," Harline said. "I was open. I think I stood there for about two seconds, and I was hoping John would look my way. He did."

How long that play lasted is anybody's guess. There were 3.2 seconds when Beck took the snap. It could have been 7, 8 or even 10 seconds until Harline caught the pass.

In the meantime, Utah defenders and BYU receivers were locked in a dance, and they mirrored one another, jockeying for position like soccer players.

Until Utah lost Harline. Where did he go?

Moments earlier, during a BYU timeout, BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae asked his offensive players what the odds were of Utah expecting him to call the same play they'd just run — a fade to Harline.

The feedback was unanimous — Utah wouldn't expect it.

On the previous call, a throw to Harline, receiver Zac Collie was wide open in the left corner of the north end zone.

"I was sure we could run it again, have John take his time, misdirect the play to Jonny and then find Zac," Anae said. "But he was covered.