BYU, Utah Utes football: Utes pull off shocking 54-10 rout

PROVO — Jarring hits, momentum swings and big plays.

For a while, it almost seemed like November.

But this year's version of the Rivalry Game, played in September, did not feature a dramatic last-second ending as has been commonplace in recent years.

It wasn't necessary. That's because Utah throttled BYU, 54-10, Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

The 44-point margin of victory marked the Utes' most lopsided win over the Cougars since a 43-0 win in 1931.

"We preach every week, regardless of what happens, whether we're up 14 or down 14, to just keep playing at that high level," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.

BYU led 10-7 late in the second quarter, but Utah exploded for 47 unanswered points and won in convincing fashion.

How bad was it for the Cougars? With about 10 minutes remaining in the game, BYU fans were filing out of Edwards Stadium in droves — and the Utes scored three more touchdowns after that.

"We were out-coached, out-played and out-executed from beginning to end," said Cougar coach Bronco Mendenhall. "They were the better team today and they played that way."

Utah took advantage of seven BYU turnovers, including six fumbles, not to mention other Cougar miscues.

"The turnovers were the critical difference in the game," Mendenhall said.

Meanwhile, the Ute offense finally hit its stride. Utah outgained BYU in total offense, 481-354.

Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn completed 16-of-30 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. BYU's Jake Heaps was 27-of-50 for 305 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

While the Cougars could only rush for 11 yards, Utah running back John White gained 183 yards, and scored three touchdowns, all by himself.

On the season, the Utes improved to 2-1 while the Cougars fell to 1-2.

Utah wasted little time getting on the scoreboard — thanks to its defense. On BYU's opening series, the Cougars faced third-and-13 from their own 18-yard line when center Terence Brown's errant snap was bobbled in the backfield by Heaps. The ball rolled all the way into the end zone, where Ute defensive lineman Derrick Shelby pounced on it for a touchdown, staking Utah to a 7-0 lead a little more than two minutes into the contest.