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Utah Utes, BYU football: Gridders heading to Vegas

Gambling Age??? | 12:05 a.m. July 21, 2008

Are some of these players even old enough to gamble, let alone pick up a chip off the floor?

Thrill | 1:26 a.m. July 21, 2008

Of course, haven't you heard, that both BYU and Utah have players that are about 30 years old playing?

Most of the players attending are 3-4 years removed from HS so yes they are of age.

Minerman | 2:13 a.m. July 21, 2008

Apparently they're old enough to pick something up off the floor. Sheesh. Lets think about it. Sakoda is a senior, and so is Johnson. I'm pretty sure that makes them at least 21. Secondly, picking up a chip isn't illegal. Nor is cashing it. Playing with it, if they were under 21, would be.

Comments continue below

93 Cougar | 3:59 a.m. July 21, 2008

The chip Tate picked up off the floor was just a foreshadowing of picking himself off the floor when Unga ran over him.

Just kidding.

Can't wait for the season to get started.

Should be a great year for both the Cougars and Utes.

Looking forward to November...

Spencer | 6:25 a.m. July 21, 2008

According to Steve Tate's bio on the U of U website his birthdate is Jan. 11, 1983, old enough to gamble.

Ryan | 6:51 a.m. July 21, 2008

Lest we forget, Brian Johnson came in as a 14 year old true freshman (he started at 18, but got younger every time somebody mentioned his age), so I'm not sure he's old enough to be on the casino floor.

Let the games begin | 7:10 a.m. July 21, 2008

From a fan's perspective, the only thing interesting about football meetings is that we're that much closer to football games.

Good luck | 7:18 a.m. July 21, 2008

Good luck to both the Utes and the Cougars this year. It should be a fun year.

Steve | 7:43 a.m. July 21, 2008

Old enough to gamble or not, it's nice to invent the story about finding the chip for p.r. purposes. After all, the Utes purport to represent the LDS population as well as the antis.

Bill | 7:44 a.m. July 21, 2008

NCAA athletes cannot gamble as per NCAA rules. This is am area the NCAA takes VERY seriously. Ever heard of point shaving? Usually starts with a student athlete getting into serious financial trouble through gambling.

nadiesabe | 8:06 a.m. July 21, 2008

It doesn't say that Tate gambled, just that he found a chip on the ground. I hope the Utes y the Cougars have great seasons this year.

Gambling chip | 8:04 a.m. July 21, 2008

Evidently the writer and the football player don't know that it's illegal to keep a chip they find on the floor. According to Nevada gaming laws, they have to turn that chip in to casino officials. In other words, they just admitted in this article of breaking the law.

loosen the tie, Bronco! | 8:13 a.m. July 21, 2008

This is the most mechanical, boring quote to ever enter the sports section:

"While none of the predictions and other speculation that happen during the event have any influence on the outcome of the season, nor will it impact the way we approach the season, it does allow us to facilitate multiple media sources in an efficient and timely fashion," Mendenhall said.

Coach Whit | 8:24 a.m. July 21, 2008

The statements above by both coach Whit and coach Mendenhall about how they choose who goes to this event just reminds me why I am glad that Whit is the coach of my beloved Utes.

The Jargon from coach Mendenhalls mouth and the fool that he makes of himself in these types of situations just reinforces why no wins or loss record would ever make me want him as my coach. Especially considering the fact that he has an O-coordinator who learned from one of the best offensive minds in the country in Mike Leech that is responsible for most of BYU's success.

I luv Bronco...but | 8:28 a.m. July 21, 2008

I'm a huge Cougar fan, but I find it interesting the language Bronco used to respond to questions. I know Bronco takes a lot of heat, especially from the talking heads on radio, about the formality of his speech. At least this time, I have to agree. Bronco sounds like he is reading from a stilted press release.

In explaining his choice to bring Hall and Jorgenson Bronco said, "...both have shown an ongoing commitment and a desire to live, lead and act in alignment with those values."

On the importance of the media days Bronco said, "...it does allow us to facilitate multiple media sources in an efficient and timely fashion."

Just say, "Max and Jan are great guys and team leaders on offense and defense." Or, why not simply say, "Being here is great exposure for BYU"?

Having said that...Good Luck Cougs! Hope you dominate the pre-season MWC selections, but better yet, dominate the 2008 football season.

Matt in Dallas | 8:32 a.m. July 21, 2008

Hey Call... next time, why don't you just interview UofU players and coaches and just leave BYU off the article title.

Preseason rankings | 8:38 a.m. July 21, 2008

Rivals.com has their pre-season rankings going on now. Here's how Utah schools fared ...

#12 - BYU
#28 - Utah
#118 - Utah State

Bryan | 9:33 a.m. July 21, 2008

re: I luv broncho.
You have to be kidding, right? You would rather have Broncho use little words so you can read them? It is so nice to have a coach that is literate and uses words other than "duh" and "these are great guys". And to the Utah fan who would rather have Kyle than Broncho, thank you. After a few more years of losing to the Cougars you will change your mind.

Collie-esque | 9:44 a.m. July 21, 2008

Did Bronco just use an Austin Collie phrase...."These guys have shown leadership both ON AND OFF THE FIELD"! Magic is going to happen in 2008.

Re;Bryan | 9:58 a.m. July 21, 2008

Seriously who talkes like that, the most polished speakers in the country know better than to use canned speeches like this when talking off the cuff. Way too mechanical and contrived, but your right Bronco is smart, he knows the people he needs to control are the rich boosters. So look for many more quotes just like this.

Joe | 9:58 a.m. July 21, 2008

What a rip for the Yewts! They are taking Sakoda to represent them at the conference! No wonder they got rolled over against UNLV, K-Whitt doesn't put any emphasis on the D.

Here is to another year of a potentially good yewt team, dropping big losses to subpar conference teams because they don't have any attitude on defense anymore. Maybe they can sub in Sakoda at linebacker...

Go Cougs.

The season... | 10:04 a.m. July 21, 2008

can't get here soon enough.

First, to give TRUE football fan something meaningful to discuss, like actual games.

A very distant second, to give all of the childish morons some new material to use in their verbal spitwad shooting contests -- mostly Utah fans, but disappointing too many BYU fans as well.

full circle | 10:16 a.m. July 21, 2008

Anyone else notice that Whittingham is channelling Coach Edwards? "We have a chance to be a pretty good team". Looks like since there are no legendary coaches at Yewtah for him to emulate (sorry yewt fans, having Urban Meyer as your coach for 2 years doesn't count as having a legendary coach), he has to go find a real coach to follow. Pretty funny stuff. Look for Coach Whit(less) to be standing on the sidelines this year with his arms folded and a scowl on his face. The only problem is, I don't remember Coach Edwards ever crying after a loss...even a tough loss. And I also don't remember Coach Edwards kicking an onside kick when the game was clearly already over. Have fun in Laramie, Yewtah!

Winning Games | 10:18 a.m. July 21, 2008

Bronco is welcome to give all of the dry, mechanical, canned quotes he wants to the media. As a BYU fan, there are only two groups I'm concerned with Bronco communicating with effectively.

In order:

1. His team and coaches
2. Potential BYU recruits and their families

Bronco is well on his way to rebuilding an outstanding BYU football program.

I'll leave the spicey, sound-bite-producing quotes to coaches who are more interested in being media darlings than they are in building a great football program.

bergstro | 10:29 a.m. July 21, 2008

As soon as I read the line about the $100 chip, I knew that would dominate the talk amoungst the BYU morality police.

What's with the "Yewts" and "Kewgars" mispellings? This is not creative, insulting, or funny; all the requirements of a good burn. Some of the rips on this board are pretty good, but these often used cop-outs bring the level of sarcasm down to a pretty worthless, "I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I" level.

Put some effort into it! Let's execute our trash talk at a higher level consistent with our aforementioned values and character which allows us to facilitate multiple burns in an efficient and timely fashion.

Let's all ban "Yewts" and "Kewgars".

Re: full circle | 10:43 a.m. July 21, 2008

Your previous comments demonstrate your naivete and lack of football knowledge. Utah has had many great coaches in its history: Ike Armstrong and Jack Curtice to name just two. Granted, Edwards was a great coach, but I challenge you to name one other great BYU football coach. That's right, there isn't one. And by the way, it is no surprise that Whittingham has picked up some of Edwards' mannerisms; he played for the man for crying out loud. Next time you think about posting a comment, think again and then don't do it.

re: Bryan (round II) | 10:57 a.m. July 21, 2008

You have to be kidding, right? You lose all credibility discussing what is literate when you can't spell Bronco correctly (twice). A real fan wouldn't do that! Good communication is not obfuscating meaning with public relations rehash.

Go Cougars!

Re: Coach Whit | 12:40 p.m. July 21, 2008

So you're enjoying the 2nd coming of Ron McBride, a.k.a. MAFU?

Media Day Frenzy | 12:40 p.m. July 21, 2008

Do you think Wyoming's coach will give Whit the bird again at media day?

Bronco has done nothing to embarrass BYU or its mission, and that is all I care about. Bash Bronco all you want, but I'll take a mechanical Bronco who hasn't lost a conference game in two seasons over your charismatic Whit any day.

byu is the best | 12:41 p.m. July 21, 2008

I am glad that we have 2 great men repersenting the
gretest univeresty's in the moutan west !!!!

I think that utah really did a good job in getting
some one who is a metor and good dad !!!!

fact is BYU is still the best !!!

BYU's the best | 1:05 p.m. July 21, 2008

Isn't BYU just like the BESTEST, most WONDERFULEST school ever? I mean, the coach is like the AWESOMEST ever, and the players are like the AMAZINGEST in like the whole world!

I can't imagine having to cheer for any other school.

BYU ROCKS-EST!!!

re:Bryan second round | 1:24 p.m. July 21, 2008

My bad on the spelling. but, obfuscating? I am so impressed. Now if you only knew what it meant. Come on, either be a Cougar fan or move over to the red side.

Re: BYU the Best 1 & 2 | 1:36 p.m. July 21, 2008

Utes

...having fun with their sophomoric humor.

At least they amuse themselves.

Still, their sarcasm belies their true feelings.

Deep down, they know it's true.

Do the Robot | 1:54 p.m. July 21, 2008

Yeah, his teams win a lot of games, but I'm starting to suspect Mendenhall is really a robot.

to Brain...err...Bryan | 2:31 p.m. July 21, 2008

Looks like you need some help, so--

obfuscate
transitive verb 1 a: darken b: to make obscure "obfuscate the issue" 2: confuse "obfuscate the reader"

Did I miss something? Was Bronco giving a doctrinal talk at General Conference? Since when does commenting on the coach's quotes to the media constitute abandoning fan allegiance to BYU? Did I disparage the man, the program, the team, my university?

Being a fan is not synonymous with being myopic (a lack of foresight or discernment : a narrow view of something). The definition is for your benefit...Brain.

By the way, I'm a BYU graduate and season-ticket holder. How about you?

and, yes, GO COUGARS!

Re; full circle | 4:05 p.m. July 21, 2008

You don't remember coach Edwards kicking an onside kick at the end of a game. I do remember coach Edwards leaving in his starting Qb and throwing long bombs while leading by 6O points at the end of games. More than once. I hold nothing aginst coach Edwards, this is football, so stop crying becasue of an onside kick. Wyoming has far more hate for BYU than they ever did for Utah.

Wassup Bryan? | 7:01 p.m. July 21, 2008

Your silence speaks volumes.

Are you unarmed in a battle of wits? (Note the possibilities for puns with "Coach Whit")

No witty retorts?

reï¿½tort ri-ˈtȯrt
Function:
verb
Etymology:
Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally, to twist back, hurl back, from re- + torquēre to twist ï¿½ more at torture
Date:
circa 1557

transitive verb1: to pay or hurl back : return "retort an insult" 2 a: to make a reply to b: to say in reply 3: to answer (as an argument) by a counter argument

intransitive verb 1: to answer back usually sharply
2: to return an argument or charge

RISE & SHOUT! GO COUGARS!

Rebel Rampage | 1:33 a.m. July 22, 2008

Hey Utah.
Two important things to consider.
1. 27
2. 0
Are you prepared for round two?
Runnin' Rebels Baby!!!!

Re: Rebel Rampage | 10:11 a.m. July 22, 2008

Enjoy it while you can, because after this season's game, you'll be back to the old ways of losing to Utah. Might be another thirty years before you see another win against the Utes. GO UTAH!

re: wassup Bryan | 10:12 a.m. July 22, 2008

Wy sir, your dictionary must be about worn out. I would have never thought that a person with such an interesting IQ could find so many words. And Yes, I am a BYU grad and a season ticket holder who does not tear down our coach. Bronco has a greater vocabulary and uses it unlike other coaches who speak at the level of the masses.

Zobbie 56 | 11:20 a.m. July 22, 2008

RE: Loosen the tie and others

Bronco has never been comfortable with the media in my book. I don't think it's one of his joys in life. All he does is teach fundamentals and win football games. You'll find passion in his eyes during any football game that you usually won't see with the media. I'll take that over spectacular interviews. Go Cougs!!

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