Deseret News | Reader comments: Utah Utes football: It took awhile, but U. finally gets its Key

Reader comments
Utah Utes football: It took awhile, but U. finally gets its Key

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Minerman | 2:54 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

No matter what you want to say about coach Whit, or my Utes, ya gotta admit, having a winning record against every team but Air force in the MWC isn't too shabby. GO UTES! Take Airforce apart this weekend!

Field a Punt | 3:25 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Hopefully this guy can field a punt and not fumble it like the other 5 guys on Saturday. Now we just have to keep up the tough run D and shut down Air Force and go to 4-0!!!!! Go Utes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmmmm | 7:20 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

"Air Force is the only MWC team that Utah has an overall losing record against. The Utes are 10-14 vs. the Falcons."

BYU is 22-6 vs AFA.

BYU is also 28-18 vs Utah (MWC/WAC)

since 1962 when both schools joined the WAC

(but, as Utah fans will quickly point out, just after the Fall of the Roman Empire, Utah used to dominate BYU back in the Skyline, Big 7, Rocky Mountain Conference era; raise your hand if you remember any of those conferences -- a bonus to anyone who can name the teams in those conferences without having to look them up; too bad 99% of Utah's fans have never even seen one of those games, even a grainy, black & white replay)

-----

I'm glad for Utah that Aiona finally made it to school; doesn't sound like he'll be much of an impact player this season.

Good luck at Air Force Utes!

Comments continue below

Re: hmmmm | 7:56 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

So, what have you done for me lately??? If you are going to discount all of the years before the WAC conference, why are you including the WAC conference in your statistics? Wasn't that 10 years or so ago anyways? So, if you're going to conveniently discount all of the years that Utah was dominant, please don't include all of the past years that BYU was dominant. The MWC is the conference both teams play in currently, so lets stick to the present. I don't know what the record is during the MWC era, but I'd venture to guess that it is pretty darn close to even.

Hey, while your at it (adding all the glory years to your record against Utah), why don't you tell us all again how you won the National Championship in 1984.....that'd be a new one we've never heard before!!!

sob | 8:03 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

its true that it took byu from the start of the game of football until '72 to have a nice run during the lavell era ( most students at the y now still say "who?".) but things have been pretty even lately and
by the way how many bowl games has byu won since the lavell era. how many has utah won. just wondered.

All-time | 8:11 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Brigham Young vs
AFA -- 22-6-0 -- First 1956
CSU -- 36-27-3 -- 1922
NM -- 42-14-1 -- 1951
SDSU -- 24-7-1 -- 1947
TCU --- 5-2-0 -- 1987
UNLV -- 12-3-0 -- 1978
Utah -- 30-49-4 -- 1922 (not counting 1890s)
Wyo -- 39-30-3 -- 1922

University of Utah vs
AFA -- 10-14-0 -- First 1957
BYU -- 49-30-4 -- 1922 (not counting 1890s)
CSU -- 52-22-2 -- 1902
NM -- 30-17-2 -- 1938
SDSU -- 14-12-0 -- 1978
TCU --- 4-1-0 -- 1996
UNLV -- 12-2-0 -- 1979
Wyo -- 48-31-1 -- 1904

Oh Please! | 8:13 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Just because some fans weren't born yet doesn't mean the wins don't count.

Notice how Old Man "Hmmmm" went back to the WAC numbers but no further. If you only count the present MWC era, Utah holds a 5-4 record over BYU.

Hmmmm I guess its not necessary to point out that Utah still maintains a winning record against BYU both modern day and, as Old Man Hmmmm said, "since just after the fall of the Roman Empire" at which time for the first 20 years we owned you with 20 consecutive victories. And like the article states, overall we still do.

Thanks Hmmmm for bringing that up.

Typical hmmm BYU Fan | 8:14 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

The article didn't say anything about conference records it said overall records against MWC teams. As a typical BYU fan you only choose to remember what you want to, and I hardly doubt you were around to watch the games in the 60's. You just can't stand the fact that Utah leads the overall series. BYU has had great years, Utah has had great years, but only BYU fans somehow have selective amnesia.

Go Falcons | 8:17 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

With all students on the AF team, they will have to do their best to beat a team of, well......Utah student/athletes, tee, hee.

Anonymous | 8:52 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

What does BYU's record vs Air Force have to do with this?

And by the way, it doesn't read that they have a winning record against all conference teams "while they have been in the same conference." Go back to your cougarboard.

Ernest T. Bass | 8:54 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

"Whittingham said Key could play at receiver on a limited basis this week, but his best chance to play immediately could be at punt returner, where the Utes have struggled..."

I think this is a brilliant move by Coach Kyle. His guys that have been there all Summer and for the first 3 games can't handle catching a punt so YES why not have a guy who is out of shape, hasn't played in any games yet, and wasn't there for fall camp be their punt returner. This will no doubt catch everyone by surpirse and should not be a problem. And I know the guys who have worked so hard to be the punt returners will support Key and Kyle in this and their morale will be boosted higher.

Kyle is a GENIUS!

re: hmmmmm | 9:05 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Yeah we know:

Football didn't start until 1972 for BYU football.

Utah still leads. It all still counts.

How about we go back just to the last 20?

That is the time Utah started to invest resources back to football again. That seems just as relevant as your time frame. Arnie Ferrin as AD let the football program tank in the 70's and 80's.

Utah 10- BYU 10
Utah goes one up after November 22nd.

Matt Dallas, Tx | 9:09 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Doesn't Key have to go through the NCAA mandatory 5 practices of no contact and no pads?

More hmmmmm | 9:11 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

hmmmmm, I don't remember 1984 either (I'm too young), so by your logic it never happened.

Why is it that BYU fans think football played in 1975 matters but 1974 doesn't? Why put the cutoff there? Oh wait, I know why: Because BYU stunk to high heaven prior to that.

Re: Hmmm | 9:49 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Since you want to forget the Skyline history, we can for get the WAC history. Remember the statement was AFA is the only school Utah has a losing record in MWC play. Since the MWC is now 10 years old we get to forget the WAC days since they are ancient history. 1984 was how many years ago!?

so who cares | 9:49 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

The utards can go back as far as they want to a time when baseball ruled and nobody really cared much about football and say dumb stuff about having the series lead all they want. And who cares except for a handful of utard fans.

What really matters is what is happening now. Bronco has rebuilt BYU's program into something that will exceed what LaVell did. He cares as much about molding the character of young men as he does about having a winning program. Kwhit only cares about getting big margins of victory against really weak teams as seen by his team's onside kicks and fake punts.

Was kwhit a bully in grade school?

Which team has gone undefeated in conference for 2 years straight?

Which coach is confident enough to declare a Quest for Perfection for his team?

Which coach tells the media it's really hard to go undefeated so a loss doesn't mean the end of your season and he seems to be ok with having a few losses each year?

Which team has won the MWC championship the past two years?

Which coach has his team ranked higher right now?

Re: Matt in Dallas | 9:58 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

The mandatory period outlined by the NCAA goes away once school starts.

ringless seniors | 10:06 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

It's ironic that Utah has a winning record against every team in the MWC, except Air Force, and yet, Utah seldom wins conference championships.

Urban broke that tradition during his brief carpetbagging stay on the hill, but it looks like Kyle has brought Utah football back to that tradition. Kyle has lost at least as many conference games every year as Bronco has lost total.

Kyle's MWC record:
Overall - 14-10
2005 - 4-4 (4th place tie)
2006 - 5-3 (3rd)
2007 - 5-3 (3rd)

Bronco's MWC record:
Overall - 21-3
2005 - 5-3 (2nd place tie)
2006 - 8-0 (1st)
2007 - 8-0 (1st)

MWC record for both teams
BYU - 46-20 (4 championships)
Utah - 42-24 (3 championships)

back-to-back titles | 10:20 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

2003-2004 was the first time Utah had won back-to-back conference championships in 50 years.

The last time Utah won back-to-back conference championships was 1951-1953, in the old Skyline Conference.

-------------

Good luck to Utah at the Academy. Don't stumble. Cougar fans are hoping to meet an undefeated Utah team in November.

Re: Who Cares | 10:33 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Let's refresh your memory. Who has already won back to back conference Championships? Who has already had a perfect season in the last 5 years? Who was the First BCS Busting team? I think you will find the answer is all the same. Keep telling yourself you are better than everyone else. If you don't believe it tear down everyone around you and step all over them. Good to hear you have good sound qualities that Bronco teaches all his team. Bronco and Kyle are both great men trying to make the programs better. Go Utes and Cougars

potentially great | 10:34 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Both teams are very good and both teams have the POTENTIAL to be great, this year.

BYU fans are a little hard on the Utes because Utah, at least in the last 20 years, always seems to be able to get fired up for big games -- OOC, bowl games, the BYU games, UCLA last season -- but, always seems to lay an egg or two against teams they don't get fired up for -- UNLV last season.

Which explains why Utah has only won 5 conference championships in the last 50 years -- about 1 per decade.

By comparison, BYU was won 23 conference championships in the last 50 years -- about 1 every 2 years.

Re: so who cares | 10:34 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

I found your post to be very funny. You say that nothing matters but the here and now and then go off on the past. The fact is that both teams are undefeated this year, so there isn't an edge either way. Bragging rights went to BYU last year, this is a new year. Which coach has their team ranked higher right now? I have never seen either Kyle's or Bronco's ballot, so I have no idea.
BYU fans love to criticize the people when they talk about overall record, but I would just like someone to come up with a relevant time line. I would say 5-10 years gives a good idea of the perception the media and rest of the country might have, and about 20 years for fans. I am just asking you to not have a selective memory. Even recently, the BYU program was in a very bad spot, with many losses (not to mention the felonies).

@so who cares | 10:46 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

So, losing the argument on selectivity of records leads you to name calling. Hmmm.....Can you do no better than that in backing up an argument?

As to your points:

a) Why suggest Whittingham was a schoolyard bully? The burden is on YOU to back that up. Don't just throw out insinuations.
b) WHO CARES about the last two seasons? Why not the last five, in which the Utes did what BYU has NEVER done, go to and win a MAJOR bowl game?
c) WHO CARES about Bronco's silly slogans?
d) WHO CAERS about what he tells the media?
e) Yes, BYU is ranked higher right now, based on its relative position in preseason polls. But a lot can still happen this year. Why don't you wait until the end of the season to toot your horn?

Grow up.

re: so who cares | 10:54 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

I'll admit, Whit may have some problems. After all, he did go to BYU.

On a side note: how nice it is of Utah and BYU to both go up to Utah State and help them keep their average attendance up.

Re: so who cares | 11:10 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

How is it that you're justified in mentioning "what really matters is what is happening now" when you bring up results of the PAST two years?

As far as I see it right now, both teams are undefeated, both have BCS aspirations, both are picking on inferior competition, and most irritating to BYU fans, both coaches are spreading their messages of sportsmanship through the fireside circuit.

Looking through the lens of the present it seems equality reigns when comparing the two. What might separate the two programs is that Nov. 22 date everyone keeps talking about for some reason.

Ernest T. Bass III | 11:57 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Ernest, why so angry? The article said Key is one of SIX players auditioning for the punt return job, not that he is going to be the punt returner. Whittingham isn't going to put him in there unless his evaluation is that he will be more talented and productive than the other 5. And if he does end up being the one is more talented and productive, he should be in there, regardless of how hard anyone else has worked or has been there. Whittingham will put the guy who he feels has the best chance of: 1)catching the ball securely; 2)make a good decision on returning or fair catching; 3)make something happen with his speed and athleticism on the return. If that turns out to be Key, great. If it turns out to be one of the other 5, great too.

Anonymous | 11:56 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

The once "insurmountable" Utah lead in the BYU/Utah series is dwindling. Inexorably, BYU is reducing the lead. Like a gassed marathon runner watching his closest competitor slowly gaining on him, the Utah football program knows that it's only a matter of time until BYU takes the overall lead in the series.

Enjoy the lead while it lasts. :)

1929 - Utah -- 0-7-1 (+7)
1939 - Utah -- 0-16-2 (+16)
1949 - Utah -- 1-21-3 (+20)
1959 - Utah -- 2-29-4 (+27)
1969 - Utah -- 5-36-4 (+31)
1979 - Utah -- 12-39-4 (+27)
1989 - Utah -- 21-40-4 (+19)
1999 - Utah -- 26-45-4 (+19)
2007 - Utah -- 30-49-4 (+19)

re: re: so who cares's's's | 12:16 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

"What is happening now" applies to the current state of the two football programs under the current head coaches, who happened to become head coaches at the same time. So that time period - i.e. starting with the 2005 season and forward - is currently most relevant and tells us a lot about the direction these programs are going.

Utah has returned to the McBride era under Whittingham. Under Mendenhall's leadership BYU is already doing as well as LaVell's best years and it looks like things will get even better.

So don't make yourself look stupid by criticizing someone for going back 2 years and then say stuff like "we're better because we went to a BCS bowl blah blah blah" that happened 4 years ago.

Do Cougar fans have to explain EVERYTHING to ute fans? Sheesh.

Utah obsesion | 12:32 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

This article has nothing to do with BYU but y fans in a classic display of there Ute hating obsesion are out in droves. I do not care what the Y does, win lose or draw but there seems to be more UTE haters than BYU Fans these days. There is plenty of spotlight to share. BYU fans act like a spoiled child on christmas morning; its not enough that you open your gifts you want everybody elses too.

Re: Utah obssession | 1:23 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

I couldn't agree more with your posting. The article is about the Utes getting a key player in Aiona Key to join the team.

Do you Zoobies realize you haven't proven a thing yet this year?? Your only semi impressive win came last week. Don't forget you have to play on the road at TCU and also play a good UNLV team before you can even think about playing your big brothers.

Your arrogance is going to end up only costing you a loss or two this year and will ultimately end up finally shutting your mouths!!!

@re:re: 12:16 | 1:40 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Pointing out the BCS bowl win 4 years ago was used as an example of how selective and narrow-minded the BYU fan was in just mentioning just the past 2 years in his/her blog. You would have understood that if you'd used more than your education at BY-High. It's YOU who seems to need everything explained.

Still, it must just kill cougar fans to know that the Utes own the series and have accomplished something their team can only dream of doing.....

re Anonymous | 2:24 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Looks like since 1989 you have not caught up anymore, so what is your point.

1989 - Utah -- 21-40-4 (+19)
1999 - Utah -- 26-45-4 (+19)
2007 - Utah -- 30-49-4 (+19)

Slipping away | 2:35 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

correction: Utah used to own the series. The Ute's dominance ended in the early years of the WAC. Since then, the Utes have either lagged way behind or have struggled to barely keep pace.

26 bowls games to 13
23 conference championships to 5
15 Top 25 finishes to 4
28 to 18 head-to-head
356-190-4 (65%) overall record to 272-244-4 (52%)
National Championships, Heisman, Doak Walker, Outland and other awards, all in BYU's favor

Utah has two things they can hang their hat on:

A whole bunch of wins piled up from 1922 to 1971
and
Two great seasons under Urban Meyer

This year, Utah has a chance to add to that list, IF, they can make it to their November matchup with BYU undefeated. The biggest question Utah faces is: Can Utah play consistently enough to win every game, like they did in 2004, or will they lose a conference game or two along the way, like they usually do, and simply come into the BYU matchup in the spoiler's role?

Three games into the season, Utah still hasn't played a complete game on offense, defense, and special teams for four quarters.

Come on | 2:39 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

@ re: re: so who cares's's's

Did you really just go "stupid" card on me? Wow, BYU educated with an eight-year old maturity level. Nice, and sadly, not all that unique of a mix.

The problem with your argument is if Whittingham goes undefeated and makes it to a BCS game, the past two years become irrelevant. BYU fans will consider their season a failure, Utah fans will consider themselves back on top of the conference and the state. That's why "now" should be analyzed on a season-by-season basis.

Another inconsistency in your argumuent is you take into account all THREE seasons of Whit's regime and claim him another "McBride" while only taking into account BYU's last TWO years in regards to "now." It's called selective memory (which exists on both sides of the rivalry). How quickly you forget about Bronco's 6-6 season. This inconsistency is more proof as to why season-by-season analysis is not only more relevant, but more indicative of who has rivalry bragging rights.

the point | 2:47 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Two straight wins head-to-head

Two straight undefeated conference championships

Banging on the door of the Top 10, and it's still September

The trend that started when LaVell took over the BYU program in 1972 is now continuing under Bronco's leadership.

Utah has a very good team this year and has the potential to be great, but, so far, they haven't shown it. Will Kyle guide this team, ala Urban, or will he have another McBride-type UNLV meltdown, like last season?

Considering all three | 3:00 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

even in Bronco's worst year, 2005, BYU still finished higher in the conference (2nd) than Kyle did in his best year, 2007 (3rd).

oh, btw, I'm not the poster you were responding to, but, before you start with the education bashing, I attended both schools, but I received my degree from the U.

If Utah's defense is really as good as their Top 25 ranking, they should be able to handle a one-dimensional offense like Air Force's.

Good luck to the Utes in Colorado Springs.

Congrats | 3:43 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

to the Utes for beating up on the 119/119 scoring defense in the country. ESPN puts the aggies in the 10 worst teams in the country. Imagine what you can do to Weber State.

Ha Ha | 4:01 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Our Bryce Mahuika is better than your Brice Mccain.

Fact | 4:24 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

You byU fans are so annoying. I know you relish in it. Congratulations...you're accomplishing your goals.

Selective Boasting | 4:26 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Dear slipping away,

Ha! How long are you going to obscess about the Utes on an article about the Utes? Aren't there enough stories and blogs about your belowed koogs?

But just for fun, let's play your game:

26 bowls to 13. O.K. And how about the respective records in those bowls:

BYU is 8-15-1. How embarrasing. Utah is 9-4. So why don't you mention bowl records & wins? How about MAJOR bowl wins? The Utes are 1-0. BYU has never been to one.

23 conference championships--almost all of which immediately followed the Arizona schools' departure to the PAC-10, while the 5 other remaining programs were in disarray, and the competition was comparable to today's Sun Belt. This goes a long ways in explaining BYU's crappy bowl record.

If you eliminate the WAC years, which BYU lovers are loathe to do, they have virtually no advantage over the rest of the league.

National Championship(S)? Nice try. I thought there was one, which did not occur on the field of play. And don't try to say beating that 6-6 unranked Mighigan team playing their 3rd string QB in the Holiday Bowl was a championship game. Enough said.

Let it keep rolling | 4:28 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

"Airforce is the only MWC team that Utah has an overall losing record against."

WOW!! who would've thought that Utah was the best, most consistent over time, of the MWC teams? (ans: me).

re: @re:re: 12:16 | 4:32 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

"Still, it must just kill cougar fans to know that the Utes own the series and have accomplished something their team can only dream of doing....."

BYU has already done something no Ute fan even dares to dream of... a National Championship and a Heisman winner. It must just kill Ute fans to know that BYU is now poised to bust the BCS this year taking away the last thing they have bragging rights over.

Utah has a pretty good program but they will always be in BYU's shadow.

Elliott | 4:34 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

You people are lame.
Who cares who is better or worst. Cheer for who you like.
You must be real insecure (Ernest T. Bass and others) if you really think that a team you cheer for validates your life in some way.

I love Utah, I hope they go undefeated this year, but I refuse to treat people poorly because of my love of a team.
I really think that we need to remember that this is just for fun, and when it is no longer fun, maybe you should find something else.

re: Utah obsesion | 4:39 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

LOLOLOLOLOL!!! Are you really trying to claim that BYU fans are more obsessed with Utah than the reverse? That is hilarious! Add up the number of posts for Utah articles and the number for BYU articles. There are at least 3-4x as many posts for the BYU articles because of all the Ute fans posting smack on them!

Ute fans act like the red-headed step-child who is always jealous of his older brother who is better looking and gets more attention.

re: Selective Boasting | 4:56 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

"National Championship(S)? Nice try. I thought there was one, which did not occur on the field of play. And don't try to say beating that 6-6 unranked Mighigan team playing their 3rd string QB in the Holiday Bowl was a championship game. Enough said."

Nice try. Check the official NCAA record book under National Champions. For 1984 it WILL say BYU. SCOREBOARD. Enough said.

@re:re: 12:16 posted 4:32 | 5:53 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

The only thing about BYU's mythical national championship killing Ute fans (& BYU's by the way), is the resulting BCS, formed to prevent such a sham from ever recurring. The rest of the country saw what BYU fans still refuse to acknowledge: Barely squeaking by an unranked 6-6 Michigan team down to its 3rd string QB in a minor bowl should not have determined the national champion. So...we continue coping as best we can with the BCS.

As for the Heisman, good for Detmer. Too bad he and BYU were humiliated by Hawai'i the very night he won the award.

So now BYU is 'poised to bust the BCS' this year? Don't you think you're counting your chickens a bit early? BYU could easily lay an egg in Ft. Worth, Salt Lake or somewhere else, even in your beloved LaVell Stadium. I'd love to see your face when it happens.

And Utah in BYU's shadow? That's funny, considering the Utes own the series (yes, they do!!!), have more wins vs. BCS teams, more bowl wins, a top-tier bowl win, a much better bowl win percentage, and more of all, more class!!!

Missed Point | 5:54 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

This article is about a Great addtition to an already great group of recievers (not who is better than who), He is a 7+ft high jumper, he is athletic, has great hands and can go get the ball. He will play himself into shape and make himself a legitimate threat. He will have an imediate impact in the red zone, and hopefuly he can field punts. Glad to see he finaly made the team!

@ re: Selective 4:56 | 6:04 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

You missed my point. I was calling the cretin blogger on his pluralization of "national championship," as if there were more. Only then did I comment on the one in 1984, which was such a debacle the BCS was formed. Were you even born? Rest assured, it will never happen again so long as there is a BCS.

Selective Boasting | 6:33 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

@ 4:56,

The monitor must be getting a bit edgy: I'll try to be nicer.....Anyway, you missed my point entirely, which was that the blogger I was responding to was using 'national championship' in the plural, as if there were more. Only after that point was made did I mention the controversial nature of the 'one' national championship you refer to in your little record book you BYU fans seem to love so much.

re: Come on | 6:51 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Yes you would love for everyone to forget about the two previous years, wouldn't you?

And if you go back and read that post again that you referenced (more slowly this time and feel free to move your lips as much as necessary) you will see it contains little clues that will tell you it's talking about everything since the 2005 season when both programs got new head coaches, not 3 years for utah and only 2 for BYU. (Hint: it's in the very first paragraph).

Your last sentance is a real laugher. You want a season-by-season analysis because you say that will be more relevant as to who has bragging rights (but then you want everyone to only consider this season)? Another poster already did that, providing a list of MWC records since 2005. See "ringless seniors" at 10:06 a.m. Enjoy!

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