Dick Harmon: Utes rose up while Cougars bungled

BYU's offense lacks poise, execution and confidence. It finished the game to a half-empty LaVell Edwards Stadium that had seen enough after three quarters.

BYU's offense has scored just three touchdowns — all Ross Apo receptions — In 12 quarters through three games. One-fourth of the way into the season, the Cougars are averaging 13.3 points a game.

After a week of acute emphasis on execution, the Cougars struggled to avoid costly flags that set Heaps in horrible down and distances against Kalani Sitake's hungry defenders.

Two BYU fumbles led to 14 of Utah's 16 points in the third quarter which essentially destroyed the Cougars.

With Utah's entry in the Pac-12 and BYU going independent with the help of ESPN, this game at home was a critical opportunity for BYU to make some hay and make a statement of some kind.

Instead, BYU only stuttered.

It was Utah who spoke the statement.

In pregame build up that had both the Utes and Cougars looking for answers on offense, Utah found it.

BYU is still on a quest to find it.

"We were outcoached, outplayed and outexecuted the entire game," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall.

email: dharmon@desnews.com