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Whittingham regrets Utes' onside kick

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Bombadil | 11:40 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Is this a BYU cougar club chat room? I'm glad you got the coach that says, "The players are fully invested in our system and have a wonderful feeling of unity as we press forward with faith." You can have him. I'll take Whitt. Have you ever been to Laramie as an opposing crowd? Wyoming got what they deserved. BYU has plain vanilla play calling and isn't really that fun of a brand of football. BYU fans would not even care about this situation if they weren't scared of what Utah could do to them in two weeks. I remember well how excited BYU fans were when Mr. Crowton was running it up on opponents in 2001 and put a tight end back in a slaughter of Air Force just to get a 2 year old MWC receiving record. Its called hypocrisy and BYU fans have it in spades. Go back to Harmons articles about how good (and boring) things are in happy valley. And don't forget, Utah is 6-1 in its last seven visits to Rice Eccles South.
A higher power | 11:45 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Coach Whittingham has ALREADY apologized for the onside kick. Any BYU fans who still believe in the atonement and the miracle of forgiveness can now lay off of him and turn all of your attentions toward the game this weekend in Laramie.
POLYnation | 11:54 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I'm glad the UTEs won, but the decision by coach was uncalled for. Even when they were up 43-0 and still went for it on 4th and 2...c'mon!!
Comments continue below
ABQ Cougar | 11:59 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Congrats Utes. Very impressive win. I'm looking forward to a classic in two weeks!
CL | 12:07 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
After all the years of bad treatment from Wyoming, they deserve this. Who cares, tell them to quit whining!!!
Man up, and quit complaining!!!!
If they had done the same thing, that would just saunter back to Wyoming and count it as another victory.
GO UTES!!!!
How Much is Enough | 12:09 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Cooter posters are sooo hypocritcal. You go to church and give all your primary answers about repentance and forgiveness, but stumble when it comes down to practicing these principles. Coach Kyle admits in the article HE made a mistake. Who are we now to judge him as "Classless". Would it have been better to not admit to the mistake. Do you want him to go to each of the Wyoming players homes and personally bring a plate of cookies. By the way, how classless is it to demean the Utah players for running the plays as dictated by their coaches.
Conspiracy Theory | 12:07 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
My theory is that Utah wanted to stir Wyoming into such an angry frenzy so that when BYU visits next weekend Wyoming will kick their butts up and down the field ala Kansas - Nebraska - Kansas State.
Kyle coaches with passion, what more do want in a coach. Football is savage. It was when Utah was losing they were calling for Kyle's head now they just want him to play nice and say that he is sorry. I never heard of anyone losing their job for running up the score.

Realistic Y Fan | 12:10 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I am sorry realistic U fan, but there is a difference between passing while ahead, and kicking an onside kick. BYU's game plan for as long as I can remember has included passing. They have never been a run first team, so they don't change their game plan when they are winning.

The utes on the other hand, are not an "onside kicking" team. It was out of the norm for them to do that, and it was not necessary. It was classless and totally uncalled for. If Kyle can't handle his emotions maybe he shouldn't coach?

Meet me in the Muss | 12:12 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I am so sick and tired of hearing about this onside kick nonsense. If you really think about it, it was a great move. The only time that you can do an onside kick is either is practice or in a game. If it is a game situation it is usually when you are down and need a miracle to stay alive. Why not do it during a game when the outcome of the game won't be effected by it??? It sounds like a great idea to me and it gives good in-game experience. I have no problem with Coach Kyle's decision. If any of you on this board know anything about football you can't argue this. I would love to see you try and welcome your comments!!!!! Go UTES
Interested observer | 12:24 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I think it's interesting that both coaches blamed their inability to control their emotions for their behavior. Coach Glenn blamed his emotions for making the guarantee and for making an obscene gesture during the game. Coach Whittingham blamed his emotions for the onside kick. Aren't the coaches supposed to be in control of their emotions? If they're not in control of their own emotions before and during games, what should they expect of their players? Doesn't the loss of control of emotions contribute to player brawls? What about the fans? Would the coaches want the fans spilling onto the field in anger because they couldn't control their emotions after a controversial call or a bitter defeat? It worries me that two grown men who have been in the business of sports for this long can't control their emotions. Apologies are great, but what kind of example are they setting for the athletes and fans?
Mack | 12:26 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Notice that Darrel Mack ended the game with 97 yards rushing. He was going for his, what, 8th 100 game of the season? He was going against the best run defense in the MWC. Don't you think he would have loved to get those three extra yards? Why didn't he? Because he was on the bench most of the 2nd half. That's not classless.
Seriously | 12:27 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
The onside kick showed a clear lack of class. A guarantee does not show a lack of class, it shows a coach trying to inspire his team. Utah took it to him, good for them. They made him eat his words. But an onside kick with a 43 point lead in the 3rd quarter? What were you trying to accomplish? That is pretty weak.
the sweed | 12:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
As a Cougar fan, I am surprised Whitingham did the on-sides kick being up by 43 points. That is the ultimate bush league thing to do to the other coach and team. Kyle obviously did this to humiliate Wyoming and basically baited a HUGE BEAR TRAP next year when his team travels to Laramie. Really really really STUPID and CLASSLESS thing to do.
Aside from this, Utah is bascially the BEST team in the MWC right now. They have the defense and offense going and nobody (including BYU) will stop them. Utah will not lose another game the rest of the year.
Sad | 12:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
This isn't a BYU/Utah issue!!!!. This is strictly a act by a coach who let his emotions control him? right!!!! Face the facts, this was classless and a joke. I can't believe I am going to admit this, But I am not longer a BYU hater, I am now a UTAH hater. I will admit the coach Glenn showed some poor judgement for his reponse to the on side kick, but coach Whittingham has no excuse for his actions. He can say sorry all he wants, but the fact is it was wrong... You made your point being up 40-0, but really come on.... I am embarrassed for the UofU and for sportsmanship. Try to repair this image Kyle.
ST-G | 12:33 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Kyle's IQ is about 80. He is whiner. He didn't do any knee jerk playcalling. He was going to try to pile it on from the first whistle. He'll never be an Urban Meyer, the guy just isn't that bright. "Yo Adrian" is what I think of when I hear him speak.
Canuck View | 12:36 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I love reading these articles when BYU and Utah are egging each other on like kids in grade school. Everyone step back! As an outside observer you have more to be upset about! BYU and UTAH could hang with anyone in the country right now and if there was a playoff system in place they would have a real shot at doing damage this year. These are 2 very good teams that could play with ANYONE. You worry too much about beating each other up but I am sure any coach in the country would not want to face either team right now!

To settle the debate re the Wyoming game: Wyoming is well expected to be classless so take what they do with a grain of salt; BYU has always been expected to have class and usually does; Utah should have had more class and had in all subs for game experience and not been running trick plays.

No one in the country knows how good BYU and UTAH are. You really should be focusing your energies on getting that message out! The MWC is a far tougher and unique conference than people understand. MWC deserves better!
slv | 12:42 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
The onside kick failed and Wyoming got the ball on the 40 yard line and failed to do anything with it.
It was a gift from Kyle and Wyoming just gave it back.
Ute Fan | 12:43 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
We sacrificed a lot for that win. Deserved or not, our coaches reputation is now tainted, our program has less respect and we look like fools trying to cover his butt.

Strategy? Are you serious? It is stupid to reveal trick plays when you are whipping somebody. It is better to surprise them than to force them to prepare.

This year has concerned me. It is obvious our team is emotional. Coach is groping each week to find something to motivate his team. This is a draining process and can't be kept up forever. I would rather see him motivate our players to play without having to look for external forces to do it. I worry about our next few games for these reasons.
Hard not to compare . . . | 12:54 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
It's hard not to compare Kyle's decision to onside kick when up 43-0 in the third quarter to Bronco's decision 2 nights earlier to take a knee just 3 yards from the end zone when only up by 5 at the end of the game. BYU's victory would have looked much better if they had won by double-digits, but Bronco chose to take the high road and teach his players a lesson in good sportsmanship. Utah obviously was the better team against Wyoming and had already proven that; Kyle could have taught good sportsmanship, but chose to let his emotions get the better of him. I think that's unfortunate for his players who look to him as an example.

When people say this is just part of football, I don't buy that! These college players are learning life-lessons from their coaches and I for one would rather see these young men leave their college years as better people, not just better players.
pollywog | 12:56 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I'm a BYU grad and fan who is trying hard but finding it difficult to get worked up about this. After all, this was Wyoming they were playing. As much as I dislike Utah and their fans, I can honestly say that Wyoming's fans are the most classless individuals I've come across. I think it's the lack of oxygen or something. Maybe they can only relate to sheep. If it had been BYU playing Wyoming and had they done the same thing, I'd be laughing till I hurt.

That said, the only thing that does bother me is according to Whit's own comments, he lost control of his emotions and he ran the play out of spite, not out of concern that Wyoming might come back or to work on some plays for the future, like many comments suggest. It seems like a coach should demonstrate more control than that.
coach chris | 12:57 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
What coach doesn't garentee a victory in their own prep rally? Are you that stupid to think that they shouldn't do that. I was in a booth at the game as well as on the field, and thought it was bush league to onside kick. As far as last year's win over Utah, the score was 31-0 at half and ended up 31-16. Get your facts strait, there was 6 minutes left in the third and the utes were up 43-0 when the utes onside kicked. The utes will get what is coming to them. BYU leaves their starters in late in the fourth as well, when they are fortunate not to be playing Tulsa or UCLA. I think that both teams are pukes.
Jerry | 1:03 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Do you think coach Mendenhall would have pulled a stunt like that? Me neither. Enough said.
Drew | 1:05 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Wow!!! I love Cougar Nations enthusiasm when a subject dealing with moral issues arise. Should he or shouldn't he have gone with the onside kick? The answer is obvious, no. Is this grounds for questioning Kyle's ethics, not really. I would consider Wyoming aside from BYU our next best conference rival. And with bad blood already being in the water, that's what happened. So all you BYU fans take it easy. Yes, we know you are glad that Bronco is your coach. And every questionable thing that Kyle does just proves he wasn't the man for the BYU job. Will anyone that cares about football remember this in a few weeks? Maybe Wyoming but not no one else. Will Cougar fans continue to try and ride the "ethical bus" on this one, of course. The battle between good and evil still continues, right Y fans? That being said, being the evil Ute fan that I am, I guarantee victory over the team from down south. I can't wait to see if Max Hall has any tears in him. I hope this doesn't get back to the BYU locker room, I would hate to give them any additional motivation.
Zip it Coogars! | 1:07 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Get off this comment board, Zoobies. Had your precious Cougars run up the score, you would find nothing wrong with it. You are just threatened because Utah is playing a lot better at this stage of the season than BYU. Only a 2 more weeks 'till you will see what I mean. Now go back to watching your Star Trek episodes.
Think about it | 1:08 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
A billion Chinamen could not care less. As an avid Ute fan, neither could I.

What a nonissue.
viper | 1:12 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I'm glad people are starting to see Utah for what i know they are, unsportmanlike bumbs who have to run up the score on anyone they can to make themselves look good. I have never once respected the Utes, but I have given them a chance. It's sad to say that the only way Utah can win is by doing trick plays. Utah you need to get some class, in every sport you play.
Funny | 1:14 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
K Whit forgot what he learned at the Y about TRADITION, SPIRIT, and HONOR.
Anonymous | 1:17 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
it looks like byu fans only have that ammunition this week to trash talk about the not so classy play calling of kyle whittingham, other than that, i bet it is hard to accept how well they are playing right now
Hawk | 1:36 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Wow. Must be a rivalry game approaching. By the way, this isn't just a UU v. BYU issue -- as pointed out, people saw the onside kick on cable outlets around the country. Let me simplify this, Utes: you don't make national news unless it's something a) really good or b) really bad. And I guarantee it wasn't the 50-0 blowout that made the game newsworthy....

By the way, did I hear Whitt being compared to R. Lavell Edwards?!? Priceless!
No dog in this hunt | 1:37 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I'm not a fan of either team, but my Utah's coach has got to have more class. If he regret's it apologize for it. If not to the coach fine, but to the Wyoming players. He's supposed to be a leader of men, and an example, for all athletes. His onside kick wasn't just getting back at the coach, it showed no respect for the young men he was playing. The funny thing is, when I was a player, an opposing coach ran a fake punt against us up by 30 in the 4th. Our coach also gave him the bird. Some things are just universal reactions I guess.
If you don't like it... | 1:45 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
There is only one way to react to the situation that everyone looks like they are facing - If you don't like what is happening to you, then do something about it.

It's when you start to take your foot off the gas that players and people get hurt because they aren't doing what many of us as parents and coaches taught the kids from the time they were born - take plays off and don't go hard.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. The Wyoming players and coaches should have put a stop to it, but as it stands, when they did put their second string in the game to start the fourth, the FIRST TEAM OFFENSE still couldn't score. Shame on you for not putting up a better fight than you did.

See you next year.
I agree... | 1:47 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
If any of you watch ESPN, the same question came up about New England and I believe that it was Tom Jackson that said he doesn't have a problem with running up the score. If you don't like getting whipped that bad, then do something to stop the bleeding. They couldn't do a thing against anyone from Utah. Go back to the drawing board and start over Glenn. Maybe next year will be better for you.
Sounds Personal | 1:49 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Personal does play well on live TV.

Kyle, we expected more.

He apologized, let's leave it at that and move on
Happy | 1:52 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I love the BYU fans on here. You guys are making this 50-0 drubbing even better with your comments. I hope coach whit does it again next week, so I can hear, "This is the worst thing I have ever seen in my life. I had to cover my kids eyes in the third quarter. I even had to comfort my wife and wipe away her tears because she just couldn't understand how an onside kick could be run with the score being up 43-0. She just kept sobbbing, 'Won't somebody think of the cowboys. Will somebody please think of the cowboys". Keep em coming cougars. Its like we have a big bunch of sissys inhabiting our state. I always wondered how 64,000 fans could make such little sound at Lavell Edwards stadium. Bingo, just got my answer. On another note, BYU is still play great football and can't wait to see the two best teams clash.
Go UTES!!!
classless? | 1:53 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
So Whit is classless because he "ran up the score" on Wyoming? So was Bronco classless last year when he left Beck, Brown, Harline and other starters in the Wyo game and called passing plays when BYU was up 41-0 in the fourth quarter. Is it more classless to kick an onsides kick halfway through the third quarter up by 43 than to leave starters in and throw the ball up by 41 in the fourth? Of course Y fans will insist BYU was not classless because Bronco is "fully invested" (a term Urban Meyer used at Utah four years before, by the way). Ever think the onsides kick was done so the Utes could practice? Wouldn't you rather have your team fail at an onsides kick up 43 in the third than with the game on the line in the final minutes? Let's give this running up the score a rest! Utes dominated and looked as good as they've looked since 2004.
Skimoab | 1:55 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Hey BYU fan, it's nice to see a cougar fan look at this without getting all riled up. Why does everyone have to get so emotional about it? The Holy War will be a good one this year.

Can anyone tell me, what will happen if (hypothetically)BYU and Utah both win their games this Saturday and Utah ends up beating BYU? Would that cause a tie in the conference standings? Would Utah be on top or would BYU still remain on top?
NY | 2:01 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I have to laugh at those who think Bronco's taking a knee against TCU had anything to do with class. Anyone who knows anything about football knows that this was to ensure the victory. Running any play was risky. TCU could have run back a fumble or intercepted a pass. To take any risk would have been stupid. Bronco was just being smart.
Ivory Tower | 2:04 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Hmmm... Let's consider the score so far:

The anti-Wittingham Team - 128
The pro-Wittingham Team - 8

Seems likes the anti-Wittingham Team has won this pointless debate, yet they just keep piling it on. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were just running up the score.

Well, they probably just let their emotions get the better of them.
JD | 2:06 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
After reading these comments, it's clear that the only people rationalizing the classless onside kick, are the classless Utes fans.
Calling out all byU fans | 2:16 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Since this is byU's newspaper I'm not suprised to see all of these comments. However UTAH fans are here to keep our little brothers in line. Do you remember Bronco running the score up last year against USU???...didn't think so. 2 minutes left in the game and byU does a play action for a 20 yard td pass to go up by over 30 points. Oh that is right it is totally diffrent because bronco can do that and Whitt can't try new things in the 3rd quater of game. Someone please help realize the difference!!!
Utah | 2:15 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
My cousin plays for the Utes so this is his insight.
Now Utah can put down that it won a game this year 50-0. That should look good in the media guide. Other than that, pretty sub-par year. Lost the first game of the year decisively. Lost to UNLV (27-0, I thought this was a typo when I first saw it! I thought their year was done). Lost to a decent Air Force squad (will probably end up #2 in the conference based on current standings). They have had a couple of nice wins against UCLA and TCU.
Kyle Whittingham is fighting for his job. You can't get mad at a coach for running it up who might not even make it to 2008. 50-0 looks a lot better on his resume than the 31-15 'calling the dogs off win' that Wyoming had against our team a year ago. Give the guy a break as he is fighting for his family's livelihood.
Go Utes!
my opion | 2:37 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Typical Utah bush league move by Whittingham and team. Not unexpected.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Harline is still open.
traveler | 2:52 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Interesting reading... With all that is going on in the world, it is nice to have such "imporant" things as this to spend our time on. Also, being a BYU fan, I find it sad that so many "BYU Fans" feel the need to make negative comments. Give it a rest for a couple of weeks until the real fun begins.. I for one enjoy the rivalry... Football would be boring without it.
Henry Drummond | 2:58 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I am glad that both coaches have been willing to express regret over doing things in the heat of the moment that were simply not good sportsmanship. Football is a game of emotion and it is difficult to turn it on and off like a spigot.

What I find sad are the teams who in fact "run up the score" on inferior opponents and who never have a second thought about it. I'll take these two coaches over them any day.


Dave | 3:09 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Hilarious. The best part of the game was Joe Glenn's middle finger. I guess he was letting Kyle know who's number one.

Way to go, Kyle. Keep up the good work.
Cal Ute | 3:11 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Coach Whitt can not win. What would you all be saying if Wyoming made a come back and won. You would all be asking for his butt to get kicked out along with his staff. Thanks for a great game coach! I will be in SLC for the New Mexico game. P.S. Please save a few trick plays for the BROTHERS DOWN SOUTH.
HYPOCRITES!!! | 3:26 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
All you holier-than-thou poogers need to look at some history and realize that your holy football prophet Lavell had a few nice "run up the score" games in the late 80's. Also, it's usually the losing team or a rival fan that uses the term "trick play", usually after being outplayed and out of position. Teams in the NFL regularly use what could be considered "trick plays". This is FOOTBALL, not a gentlemanly game of croquet. The teams are trying to decimate and hurt each other. An argument against sticking it to your opponent is ridiculous! I only hope Whittingham and the Utes "run it up" against the whimpy poogers! I'll revel in their "gentlemanly disdain".
Roscoe | 3:29 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
If you're in a position to win, then win big! Don't ever let up on any opponent, keep coming at them until the losing team sees the Ute's in their nightmares for the next 5 years. Way to go, Coach Whittingham, congrats on your win.
DavetheAce | 3:33 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
It's a game! Bad sportsmanship is the blindside hit on Johnson by Wyoming after the whistle, but hey no comments address that poor sportsmanship. Go Kyle, please instill more discipline on you and the team and makes us forget Urban!
Anonymous | 3:34 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Thank you coach Witt for choosing the school that most closely reflects your level (or lack thereof) of class. It appears that both schools got what they deserve...

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