Utah Utes football: Bringing down the House

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Utah made itself at home in the Big House on Saturday. The Utes walked through the front door and did just about everything but lie

on the couch and root around in the kitchen — for the better part of three quarters, anyhow.

OK, things weren't that cozy.

In fact, the action wound up getting a bit dramatic at Michigan Stadium.

Utah, however, weathered the storm and held on to defeat Michigan 25-23 before a crowd of 108,421 and a national television audience.

"I'm very proud of our guys and the way they hung in there," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said after the 2008 season-opener. "This house got rocking."

Trailing 25-10 with less than nine minutes remaining, the home team climbed back into contention by blocking a punt and recovering a fumble. The Utah turnovers led to a pair of Michigan touchdowns. A failed two-point conversion attempt on the second and final score proved to be the difference.

So, too, was effective play on offense, defense and special teams.

"It was gut-check time, and we had to have some guys step up," said Whittingham, who acknowledged it shouldn't have been as close as it ended up.

The outcome, however, was pleasing.

"It's a very good way to start the season," Whittingham said.

Knocking off the 24th-ranked team in the coaches poll on the road left the Utes in a festive mood.

"Words can't explain how I feel right now," cornerback Sean Smith said as he walked off the field. "The defense came out clicking and the offense was clicking. It was great to come out and get a win in the Big House."

Early on, Utah dominated the game statistically and reeled off 19 straight points over the second and third quarters. The Utes inflicted most of the damage in the first half, holding a commanding 313-102 advantage in total offense yardage.

Michigan got off to a shaky start in Rich Rodriguez's debut as head coach. The Wolverines managed just four first downs before the break and were a paltry 1-of-7 in third-down situations.

"In the first half, I thought Utah controlled the game with their quick passing game and they had our defense on its heels a little bit," Rodriguez said. "That got adjusted in the second half. We got some momentum going and didn't quit. But we just didn't execute."