Deseret News | Decade's best: Cougars, Utes each land 8 stars on 25-man squad

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Decade's best: Cougars, Utes each land 8 stars on 25-man squad

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Ing | 2:20 a.m. July 20, 2008

Well, I can't see many places where I'd disagree with the list. I think I'd have put Cameron Jensen and Andre Dyson on at linebacker and corner, but I really only follow BYU and Utah, though, so I can't say too much about picks from the other teams.

Two other notes:

1.
It's nice to get the first word in before all the morons come out and start yelling at each other. You know this is going to end up with at least 150 comments, almost all of them about how much somebody hates the Utes or the Cougars, and almost none of them actually about the All-Decade team.

2.
Since it looks like I'm the first one on the board, I'll get the ball rolling for you:

I see Jonny Harline is on the list...and he's STILL open!

(Sorry, couldn't resist. I think that one's even better than the 34-31 thing the Utes tortured Cougar fans with years ago.)

jdegaston | 5:42 a.m. July 20, 2008

Thank you. A nice little trip down memory lane. However, I wonder the choice of outstanding college players based on what they did later in the professional teams.

Anonymous | 7:23 a.m. July 20, 2008

Great list, I am sure it is difficult to compile such a list. I think the omission of Morgan Scalley was unfortunate. Francisco and Brimmer were both fine players, but in a conference that does not get much national media attention I don't think you can leave a first team all-american off of the list. Scalley was the anchor of the best team that the conference has ever had. He should be on the list.

Comments continue below

Talk About Still Being Open | 7:26 a.m. July 20, 2008

Austin Collie still appears pretty 'darn' open as well!

Jeremy | 7:31 a.m. July 20, 2008

The choice for receiver was a little weak.

Cougar Blue | 8:08 a.m. July 20, 2008

I actually agree with Anonymous. Great list.

Matt Payne? | 8:32 a.m. July 20, 2008

Why not him over Owen Pochman? Pochman was reliable, but Payne delivered on more than just punts. His field goals were reliable as well, and who can forget his hits on Boise state and others? Oh well. He'd be my pick over pochman.

He'll be open for a long time | 8:37 a.m. July 20, 2008

Where's he playing at right now?

Not intended? | 8:49 a.m. July 20, 2008

New Mexico coaches called Brian Urlacher's position "the Lobo"...which was an LB/DB hybrid, but like Weddle, essentially played every position - offense AND defense - on the field. Beau Bell needs to be bumped from the list of LBs since there was NO OTHER MWC player that was as dominating in their respective position (LINEBACKER) than Urlacher. He may very well have been the best player in MWC history. Dyson may then backfill Urlacher's open slot at DB. Scalley can bump Francisco.

Mike Anderson was the most dominant RB in MWC history. David Anderson and Steve Smith were the most dangerous WRs. Pochman is a legitimate pick for kicker, but I would call it a coin toss over Deric Yaussi. Doug Jolley and Dennis Pitta are far stronger TEs than Harline.

Broncster | 8:59 a.m. July 20, 2008

Alex Smith? Come on Folks! He would have a difficult time making this year's squad down here in the Holy Land.

And yet... | 9:12 a.m. July 20, 2008

And yet with all the great talent, no MWC team has beaten Boise State from the WAC.

SCOREBOARD!

James | 9:12 a.m. July 20, 2008

The issue of what a player accomplished in the NFL is interesting but I don't think should be part of this. Players that dominated the conference did nothing afterwards. That doesn't diminish the fact that they owned the conference.

Take Luke Staley and even Alex Smith. The numbers were given on Luke and that is enough said. He was drafted by the Lions but due to a knee injury never played a down in the NFL.

Alex Smith is a pretty fair choice for quarterback of the decade and yet he has really struggled in the NFL. Some are saying this is the end of the year for him.

And most of those names did nothing in the NFL, yet they still dominated in conference.

Bo Diddley Tech | 9:13 a.m. July 20, 2008

Harline's STILL NOT IN THE NFL!

Steve | 9:23 a.m. July 20, 2008

This is typical DMN coverage of MWC football. Utah and BYU are given equal recognition, regardless of who really has the better team and better players. I wish the editors could see the truth, instead of trying to be PC.

NFL does not rule | 9:30 a.m. July 20, 2008

Why should performance in the NFL (after a college career is over) play into the determination of who had the best performance while playing in the MWC. Whether a player was successful at the next level should not be a part of the criteria for determining this list.

uteowl | 9:31 a.m. July 20, 2008

Heck, the decade isn't even over yet.

Anfernee | 9:35 a.m. July 20, 2008

What about Bret Engemann?

on crutches | 9:35 a.m. July 20, 2008

I see they chose Reno Mahe on Wide Reciever.

All I have to say is you should have seen that boy in High School. Some of the best High school plays I have seen in the past 20 some-odd years were with his hands on the ball . . . he could dance through backfields, catch with one finger, . . . . great times.

I am glad to see he is honored.

Best of the Best | 9:35 a.m. July 20, 2008

And who are the top three of this entire group? I think it goes Urlacher, Staley and Steve Smith. Urlacher and Smith have done the best in the NFL and were great in college. But I think in terms of sheer talent, Staley was as good as Urlacher and Smith in his prime - that great 2001 season. Had he not had every surgery conceivable he would be starring in some NFL backfield today. I hope players like Alex Smith, Weddle, and Beck have breakout NFL seasons. I put aside school loyalties (BYU) once these kids graduate on to the NFL and represent the MWC conference.

Yman | 9:41 a.m. July 20, 2008

weddle was awful. BYU had 3 tds over him in one game

Not bad . . . . | 10:02 a.m. July 20, 2008

I don't think the real list will look anything like this, and letting the fans vote is ridiculous.

They should have let the coaches and media vote.

Anonymous | 10:14 a.m. July 20, 2008

Throwball is boring...what a waste of an article.

Question? | 10:47 a.m. July 20, 2008

Does anyone remember the last time Collie played at RES?
I'm sure he does.....52-21!

PS our BACKUP QB is still running for over 110 yards on byu, and throwing for 4 TDs!

I think Staley got Harline a application at the cell phone hut at Provo Mall....and with Henne being drafted Staley went ahead and faxed an application to Beck.

PS LaTendresse is still open!
Snow bowl

Man... | 11:35 a.m. July 20, 2008

I was going to say something then Question? at 10:47 nailed it on the head. Good job man. You made me proud. All these cougar fans forget everything but the last two years and 1984. The last fifteen years the Utes are up nine to six. Please cougar fans get over yourselves.

Anonymous | 11:53 a.m. July 20, 2008

What about Brett Keisel who starts on the Steelers D-line. He didn't even get mentioned.

Mahe? | 12:08 p.m. July 20, 2008

The Mahe pick is the worst one on here. I like him because he is from the state but he isn't one of the two best receivers ever in the MWC. How about Hank Basket? Steve Savoy? just to name a couple. Also Steve Fafita should be on the D-line.

Yfair | 12:31 p.m. July 20, 2008

As an avid BYU fan, I have to say that I was still very disappointed to see so many BYU players on this all-decade team. I love the Cougs, but remembering one fantastic play here and there isn't enough to call someone an all-decade player. Some of the cougars are legitimate on this list, but I remember some other names that would give me nightmares the night before games...Van Pelt, Baskett, Ferguson, Weddle (so we threw some TD's over him...big deal, look at his other stats, and the way he ravaged so many teams in so many areas!).

Wasntt this.the Decade's Best?? | 1:15 p.m. July 20, 2008

re: Man... | 11:35 a.m. July 20, 2008

"I was going to say something then Question? at 10:47 nailed it on the head. Good job man. You made me proud. All these cougar fans forget everything but the last two years and 1984. The last fifteen years the Utes are up nine to six. Please cougar fans get over yourselves."

Ummmmmm... Decades List???

"The last fifteen years the Utes are up nine to six."

Ummmmmm... Decades List???
Please, Ute fans, get over yourselves.

What was your ranking last year?

Tied for 3rd in conference last year?

You are working to get over yourselves, but if you keep living in the past.

The game at RES, if you don't bring it, the trend will continue.

Dios | 1:19 p.m. July 20, 2008

None of this matters. Football is worthless.

Collie is still open? | 1:43 p.m. July 20, 2008

Collie remembers what it is like to go to RES:52-21!

Dustin Gabriel and Jenkins still have residual effects from getting knocked out!

Steve Fafita is still picking up and throwing a byu player to the ground on the way in for a TD!

Utah's WHOLE TEAM from 2004 is still open!

Snow bowl!

LaTendresse is still open!

Utah's BACKUP QB, AND FIRST GAME EVER, is still running for over 110 yards on byu, and throwing for 4 TDs!

A. Dyson is getting another INT!

34-31!

Yergonsen kick still hasn't hit the ground!

34-31!

Oh yeah, BECK IS STILL CRYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grog here | 1:40 p.m. July 20, 2008

BYU good.

Utes bad.

No.

BYU bad.

Utes good.

Me like fire.

Utah and byU | 1:54 p.m. July 20, 2008

"Utah has posted the best record overall among MWC teams (72-36) followed by BYU (68-43)."

This article didn't mention that:

Utah is 7-0 in bowl games in that time frame.
byU is 2-3 in bowl games in that time frame.

Utah is winning the Head to Head match ups in that time frame.

Utah has beaten 4 Ranked teams in this MWC era!
byU has beaten 0 Ranked teams in this MWC era!

Utah is 10-4 against BCS teams in this MWC era!
byU has a losing record against BCS teams in this MWC era!

Utah has had the #1 Pick in the NFL draft!
byU has had a QB cry on TV!

Utah has had the AFC rookie of the Year: M. Anderson
byU has had cell phone dealer RB: Staley

The Ute Factors | 2:22 p.m. July 20, 2008

1. Had worst loss of 2007 UNLV 27- Utah 0 F.
Less votes to end the season than Tulsa.

Re: Yewts and BYU | 4:02 p.m. July 20, 2008

"This article didn't mention that:

Utah has beaten 4 Ranked teams in this MWC era!
byU has beaten 0 Ranked teams in this MWC era!"

Actually, BYU beat TCU in 2006, which at the time, TCU was ranked #15 in the nation. This must have been a U grad who wrote that! They need to teach you how to research properly up at that elementary school they call the U!

And you so easily forget to mention from the article that BYU has the best conference record in the 10 years of the conference.

And Harline is still open, so is Collie, and Collie will be open all day on November 22nd in SLC!

Jon | 4:14 p.m. July 20, 2008

A couple of things:

Utah and byU @ 1:54, of course the article didn't mention that, because the article isn't about BYU vs. Utah. The records were only mentioned to justify 16 of the players being taken from these two teams.

Matt Payne should have been the place kicker.

I didn't know Urlacher (sp?) was a DB in college--learn something new every day.

Finally, I wouldn't be bragging about Smith being a #1 pick (only brag about stuff people deserved).

This one is for Utah!!! | 4:17 p.m. July 20, 2008

I just can't wait to see this poll next to the real poll.

Des News has to be BIASED, or the Utes Fans whine "Not enough Utah stories??? (Therefore stories on Uni's and "How Reading About Golf Improves Your Fooball Team More Tan Working Out".)

I'll be football players are rusing to thier local bookstore to check out books on Golfing and subscriptions to Golf Digest are flying off the shelf.

Nopr, Ute fans, this one is for you, so you can talk about how ripped off you were when the MWC finally votes.

Don't worry, Samford and joe Glenn have a vote, and I'm sure they are both voting straight ticket UTAH UTES,

Don't worry, I'm sure they are plenty of reasons you were snubbed.

Head to head | 5:20 p.m. July 20, 2008

Here are the head-to-head records for the last 50 years. I didn't go any earlier than that because I wasn't here 50 years ago - so I frankly don't care who did what prior to my arrival.

1 Year BYU 1 - Utah 0
2 Years BYU 2 - Utah 0
5 Years Utah 3 - BYU 2
10 Years Utah 5 - BYU 5
15 Years Utah 9 - BYU 6
20 Years Utah 10 - BYU 10
25 Years BYU 15 - Utah 10
30 Years BYU 19 - Utah 11
35 Years BYU 24 - Utah 11
40 Years BYU 25 - Utah 15
45 Years BYU 28 - Utah 17
50 Years BYU 29 - Utah 21

Re Head to head | 5:42 p.m. July 20, 2008

But remember, Utah had a better team back in 1920, so they MUST be a better team now.

yooterville fans | 5:50 p.m. July 20, 2008

If you want to keep riding Harlines job, we can lookup what former Ute players are doing for a profession.

the ewe | 6:03 p.m. July 20, 2008

Pretty sad comments, but they lighten up things. Football is not that serious, but it's the only thing ewe-ites live on. Get a life.

Utah Iggle Fan | 6:11 p.m. July 20, 2008

Hank Baskett is having a better impact on my Philly boys than Mahe is. If DeSean Jackson lives up to the hype, Mahe may be looking for another job.

I hope he can stay around, though, he's a good guy.

20 year team | 6:35 p.m. July 20, 2008

The 20 year team will be loaded with cougars. Max Hall will easily replace Smith (who will be known as the biggest bust in the NFL since Ryan Leaf), Collie and Jacobsen will be at the wide receiver, and Unga will be far away the best at his position. Duhan will be the best d-line guy. As the Cougars continue to dominate in recruiting, the acolades will continue as well. Too bad yewtes.

MN Cougar | 6:37 p.m. July 20, 2008

BYU does not need football respect from East High U. Conference titles say more that any whining concession from a school up north.

re: the ewe | 6:56 p.m. July 20, 2008

really? Football is the "only" think Utah fans have? Then zoobs turn around and brag about their superior attendance at the games (mostly because there isn't anything else to do in Provo). Can't have it both ways zoob.

However | 7:03 p.m. July 20, 2008

The zoobs haven't beat a a non conference team on the road yet during the regular season.

re: UTE factors | 7:04 p.m. July 20, 2008

UTAH 3 byU 0 worst lost of the decade

re: Re Head to head | 7:10 p.m. July 20, 2008

Yes, heaven forbid we should use the ENTIRE history of the series rather than just the years byU wins.

And how the teams played in 1920 is just as relevant to 2008 as how the teams played in 1984.

Only one thing wrong | 7:35 p.m. July 20, 2008

Morgan Scalley should have made it.

Re: Head to head | 7:39 p.m. July 20, 2008

Good thing you're only 50 yrs old, because in the 33 games played prior to 1958, the TDS only won ONE game, and were shut out 13 times.

marc | 7:44 p.m. July 20, 2008

How utterly provincial. I hope this isn't in print... because it means some trees died for this ego trip.

holy pig skin!! How sophomorish.

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