Deseret News | Utah Utes football: Utes' quarterback picks up plenty of accolades

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Utah Utes football: Utes' quarterback picks up plenty of accolades

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Ha! | 4:06 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Can you see Utah playings vs. Missouri, OU, or Texas Tech? Johnson's team isn't half as intimidating as these guys. There is no way he gets the award over these guys. I'm actually embarrassed for Utah, they would get crushed by any team in the top 12 besides Boise. It would be another Hawai'i again....

Jared - Utah fan! | 6:13 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

After watching Johnson pick apart Oregon States defense late, late in the fourth quarter to score 11 points to win by three, I knew we had somethings special at the helm of this football team. His offensive production can be less-than-desirable at times, but he is a gamer and has proven time and again he will get the yards the team needs to win football games.

Utah has won four games by three points or less, and a fifth at AFA by one touchdown. Some may say that is cause for concern, because Utah does not hammer a nail in the coffin and keep starters fresh by pulling them at start of the fourth quarter. They may be right, but even more important to me is that Johnson finds a way to 'manufacture' a win even when a lot of other people have given up hope (I was one who had lost hope when there was about 3 minutes left in the OSU game).

Now, even when a game is close, Johnson's ability to step up in 'crunch-time', keeps me hopeful that the Utes will find a way to get it done and win the game.

GO UTES!!!

Quest for Perfect Season | 6:57 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Utah 12-0 8-0 4th in BCS
AF 9-3 6-2 (24th)
TCU 9-3 6-2 (23rd)
BYU 10-2 6-2 (19th)

Comments continue below

Grow up coogie fans | 7:19 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

You're just mad because your season is over. Air Force will smack you in the head and Utah will take you out to pasture. GO UTES.

To Desnews | 8:13 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

its john parker wilson.

danburtreynolds | 8:21 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

RE Ha!

I love how people make definitive statements like you did, it just reeks of sour grapes. You can SAY all you want, but, let's just decide it on the field. I believe there were many people that said TCU would kill Utah. Please remind of the final score on that one.

Utah may not win sexy, but they win, and there are about 115 schools who would love to have the same struggles that Utah does.

OK... | 8:40 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Yah, it was a good one drive against a prevent. Is that what the excitement's about?
Johnson is the one U player that chokes against BYU. Everyone else plays way over their head (no pun on the pass coverage intented), but Johnson always looks intimidated against us. I personally think we're totally fine while Johnson's there...

Cougar Whiners | 8:40 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

So, the first comment on the board by a cougar who is jealous of the Utes sucess. Typical....for the first part of the BYU season, the fans were all about them taking on the BCS and even a national championship. Then, they get absolutely destroyed by TCU and almost embarassed by UNLV and Colorado State. "Ha" @ 4:06 am says he is embarassed for Utah. You probably should be embarassed for your own team that couldn't stop Southern Utah University's offense.

As for Utah, the only thing that needs to be said is 10-0. It doesn't matter at this point how they won or what late game heroics they needed...the only thing that matters is that BJ and the rest of the team stepped up to every team and challenge that was presented them and came out victorious. Congrats to the Utes and I can't wait until they destroy SDSU this weekend. What I really can't wait for is Nov. 22, when BYU is again embarassed by the superior Utah team.

ute fan | 9:05 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

I am a ute fan and i think were not good enough to win BYU and BYU will win have you guys seen hall to collie or hall to pitta unstoppable, even our mighty defense can't stop i will be cheering for utah but i think we don't deserve to go BCS and we will lose to BYU

TommyCougar | 9:09 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Like the resolve that Johnson shows in the clutch. He puts his team squarely on his shoulders and resolves not to lose. Coupled with the good defensive play of the Utes my Cougs will face a difficult battle in the paddy fields of SLC. But that's the way we like it. Hope we can get to the game with just one loss so the game will mean more to both teams. College football, you gotta love it.

UTE FAN | 9:30 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

We will beat the team down south. Were good enough to win. Our defense will stop there O. A true UTE Fan!!!

Nov 22nd! | 9:41 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Can't come fast enough!

Go Utes!

Offensive Woes | 9:41 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

No one can take the 10-0 mark from the Utes. But in all honesty, they needed a little luck (like some missed field goals by TCU). But if the Offense were better that wouldn't be the case, cause the Defensive is that good. BJ is a decent qb, but not great. He makes poor decisions a lot of the time, hangs to the ball too long and can't throw the deep ball consistently. So, I'm not a BJ fan, I think he's the one thing keeping us back. This team is just like the the Ute team with Alex Smith...minus...Alex Smith.

Re: ute fan | 9:44 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Nice try posing as a Ute fan but your byu grammar gave you away.

This article is about a 21 year old college quarterback that is one of five finalists for the Unitas Award.

Your post along with "Ha!" are inappropriate for this article. Sometimes I think we forget that these football players at the U and Y are just college kids.

Congratulations to Brian Johnson!

Big Daddy | 9:56 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Big Daddy's Predictions...

Utah 44
SDSU 16

BYU 16
AFA 44

GO BIG UTERS!!!!

BYU fan | 9:56 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

I am a BYU fan and I think WERE not good enough to win UTAH and UTAH will win have you guys seen johnson or asiata or mack or brooks or casteel, even our pourous defense can't dream about stopping. I'm still dreaming of a quest for perfection, but Utah will always lead the way. There is always next year.

To BYU fans | 10:12 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Man, there are a lot of mean-spirited, bitter, whiny, arrogant Cougar fans on these pages.

It's funny how quickly BYUNation forgets about their 32-7 humbling and their close wins over UNLV and CSU. They're already back to thier trash talking.

As I've said before, worry about your own team...even if they're not having the National Championship/Heisman Trophy season you dreamed about.

RE: OK | 10:26 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

From Vegas Ute:

The Utes will be totally fine, as long as the un-talented zombie-like Cuber defense is on the field.

You can't coach speed into a defense. And baby their slow.

Put lots of pads on Maxy, because he's going to win the Hoover Award for most trips to the carpet.
He'll be fine in time for the Poinsettia Bowl, or even the Turque Bowl if you don't get by AFA.

Two diametrically opposed offenses. If you make some turnovers, and they control the ball, you'll lose. And remember, the Cubers are suckish on the road, atleast 2 levels lower.

Atleast you've got that home win streak going for ya.. Great for marketing those Cuber Tails and frozen dairy products en mass.

Utes: I'd like to see 3 -4 sets of the no-huddle, 2 min drill per game. Every time they've run the hurry up offense, they've had great success.

Cubers: Just get by AFA, so that the pre-Thanksgiving party (UTE VICTORY)on the 22nd will lend more computer power for the UTES. You know our computer ranking is at #4 now. You've got to love that Michigan win over 7-3 Minnesota last Saturday.

Till we meet again...................

Ute Defense | 10:56 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

The Utes are good because of their defense. If they had an average or mediocre defense BJ would be on the bench. He's horribly inconsistent.

RE: ute fan 9:05 a.m. | 11:05 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Wolf in sheep's clothing...

After byu losses to Air Force on Saturday, they will be out of conference contention and bring down ticket prices for the big game on the 22nd. Everybody wins!

Re Ute fan | 11:14 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

I totally agree, BSU should go BCS and utah doesn't have the stuff to compete with BYU. Re Ok... i totally agree with you prevent defense always helps the offense thats why Utah won

ute fans | 11:31 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

BYU wins hands down. Game won't be close as you all think. Maybe close at the coin toss but that is it. Your next win over the cougars will probably be in 2010.

RE: ute fan @ 9:05 a.m. | 11:33 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Nice try...nobody believes that you are a Ute fan. It's more then obvious that you are nothing but a kewgie posing as a Ute to take cheap shots at the only undefeated team in the MWC. How about you stay off our boards if you are going post dribble like that. Be a man own up to who you are and quit being a little kid and hiding behind your lies.

To ute fan | 11:40 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

I totally agree with you it is obv. . BAHHHHAAAAAAHHHAAHAHA I just couldn't do it with straight face! You have got to be kidding me!! It will be a LOOONG afternoon on 11/22, for BYU. This might be like the beat downs BYU used to give the U in the Early 80's. 42-7 UTES for an outright championship and second BCS bowl! GO UTES!!!

Objective Ute | 11:41 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

I agree that the difference between a good Ute team and a great Ute team is the QB. I like Johnson, he has gotten it done when it's on the line, but his passing his average, not in the same class as the other Unitas finalists.

HSFAN | 12:16 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Utah does not want to be embarrassed again with a lack of fan support.....I predict Utah will lose to BYU on purpose, more Ute Fans attend a gay protest on Temple Sq, or a Mayor Rocky Anderson Whino Park Protest than will ever attend a BCS BOWL GAME?

True Ute Forever | 12:26 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Johnson certainly isn't one of the top five quarterbacks in the nation, however I believe this award is handed out to the top senior quarterback in the nation. While I don't think he is a top five in that category either I think it is much closer. Part of the reason he is down at times is the play calling by Ludwig. Ludwig doesnï¿½t get it!

On the trash talk issue we readers are so sick of stray Ute and Coagar fans posting stupid comments about the other fan or team. They end up diminishing their own team and fans. I trash talk with my friends when we are hanging out, but they and I know it is all fun. We are not each others friends, it doesn't come across as a joke, and most of us don't want to hear your junk. This is a public forum for the support of our teams or the honest criticism if necessary. Stop impersonating BYU fans or Ute fans is you aren't one. Get a little respect for your opponent and enough stability in your team that you can turn a blind eye to the useless comments.

BYU Fans | 12:42 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Most of what I have heard from Y fans this season has gone something like "Utah was lucky....." "Utah did not desrve......" "It all ends this week for the Utes because....." yet the Utes keep winning.

For those that say TCU was in a prevent they know nothing about football. Tcu Played the same tight man coverage they played all game plus they sent 4-6 players everytime on that last drive.
10 - 0 is still 10 - 0. get over it.

Re "ute fan" | 3:28 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

You are NOT a UTES fan, either a tds fan or you should be!!

To answer your question "have you guys seen hall to collie or hall to pitta" the answer is yes I have, watched the TCU game. TCU completely shut them down (how many TDs) and our defense is better against the pass and just as quick! Hall is a baby that throws a temper tantrum when he gets it, TCU and SDSU got to him, AFA will get to him and Utah will destroy him. Hall tries to force it and when he does he makes mistakes and once it starts it gets worse.

We will get pressure with our 4 up front and that leaves 7 to worry about Collie, Pitta, and Unga with 4 left over!!!

UTE4EVER | 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

The truth is that the Ute offense is incosistent at best and that does cause some concern. However, the reason for the incosistency is not BJ. In fact in case you did not realize it, BJ is the one who calls the plays during those 2 minute heroics. This only serves to magnify the obvious problem with the Ute offense. That problem is Andy Ludwig. He is the worst O coordinator of all time. I beleive that he completely dislikes the spread option offense and tries to use it as little as possible. If you notice, the Ute offense is at its best when using it, they will be on the march and then Ludy goes away from it and the drive stalls immediately when he tries to do it his way. I have been praying for 3 years now that Kyle will come to his senses and fire the moron.

BYU Fans | 3:33 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

You don't have to worry about 10-0 much longer because 11-0 and 12-0 are soon to follow, might want to get used to 12-0 now, will make for a much better Turkey day!!
But if you do like 10 you are in luck, you will have 10-2, heck maybe even 9-3!

To: MWC, Nation & BYU | 3:42 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

10-0. In case you're wondering....it DOES feel good!!!

re true ute forever | 3:47 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

i totally agree but i think if you don't want to hear this trash talk than don't read the comments its as simple as that all the talking will be on the field i believe utah could win BYU 41-18 and i believe BYU could win 51-20 but i think its going to be a shootout with no D i'm not trying to trash talk utahs D but BYUs offense is to good and BYus defense won't do anything either unless if we really try to win

Re: To: MWC, Nation & BYU | 4:11 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

BYU would not know the feeling...

Defense Defense Defense | 4:46 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Ute fan here. The Utes will win this game hands down. I think that it will be a close game but the Utes have a good D and a good O, where all BYU has is a good offence. I see BYU starting of great but the Utes will take control in the second half and become BCS bowl bound for the second time.

GO UTES!!!!!

Dan L. | 5:04 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Why does Bryan Johnsen get all this praise? He's not nearly as good as Max Hall!! He's just lucky. Man, I hate the dang Yewts!! They're going down against the Cougs. As long as we beat the Yewts, I don't care about anything else this season.

die hard ute | 5:27 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

This blog is pathetic. You should all be ashamed of yourself

Ute fan in Wisc | 5:27 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Just win. It doesn't matter how pretty it is or isn't. Go Utes and beat SDSU and don't even think about the game after that until business is taken care of.

davidutefan | 5:28 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

I agree with Defense Defense Defense TDS will start well and probably take an early lead but, Anderson adjust as well as any coach i've seen. We'll own the second half. the rivalry will make the game closer than it should be but still Utah 35 TDS 17

to re true ute forever @ 3:47 | 5:31 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Don't you know it's against the Honor Code to smoke that stuff? Seriously, there's a reason Utah is 10-0. We've faced some pretty good offenses this year and shut them down to come away with the W. Even lowly Utah State scored a couple times on you guys, but the only reason they scored on us was a turnover with a short field.

I don't think there's a snowball's chance in you-know-where that BYU puts more than 3 scores on the U.

PS: don't they teach punctuation in the BYU English classes? This isn't your cell phone - sheesh!

sensible ute fan | 6:37 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

johnson may be getting a lot of praise but lets be honest it is just because our TEAM is 10-0. There is no way he is even one of the best ten quarterbacks in the country. And as much as i hate to admit it Max Hall is a lot better than johnson. Lately hall has even been running a little. But i don't care how good johnson is as long as we keep winning. Hopefully we can stop another hall to collie

RE: TO MWC, Nation & BYU | 7:58 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

UM, in case YOU were wondering....a national Championship feels really good. Utes wouldn know! HA! Oh and so does the heisman. Again ute wouldnt know. should I keep going?

# 1 ute | 8:20 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

10 and 0, 10 and 0, 10 and 0. Repeat it with me, it just feels so good. Utes just get it done. Don't cry cougs. We still love the U, just not you.

Anonymous | 8:41 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

BYU and their fans can suckem easy. I love to see how much smack they talk but then barely get wins over lowly UNLV and CSU. I wish CSU had stopped your last drive because then you would have nothing to be chit chatting about now, as for any Utah fan that believes BYU will win at Utah, get real and go find yourself a blue shirt because you are secretly a closet Y fan.... the worst kind.

RE:RE: TO MWC, Nation & BYU | 8:44 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Yes, please keep going because I think you have run out examples. BYU's national championship was in name only. It was courtesy of a very average Michigan team and a ranking system more flawed than the one we have today. BYU's national championship* (with an asterisk) is the reason we have the BCS today which guarantees nothing like that will ever happen again. Congratulations on the heisman thing though. Wahooo!

I'll tell you what is COMPLETELY foreign to BYU...doing something that actually benefits others. A BCS invite for example. BYU = ZERO contribution to anyone but themselves.

But no doubt BYU will be at the head of the charity line to pick up their $1.5 Mil courtesy of The University of Utah just like they did four years ago.

re: RE: TO MWC, Nation & BYU | 9:02 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

I'll take our 2004 undefeated season where I know Utah could've won the National Championship had it played in the BCS versus BYU's undefeated season where they won a National Championship by not playing in a National Championship!

TDS | 9:25 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Team Defense Supreme.

BYU 52 putes 17

Vegas Ute | 10:01 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Wake me up when rivalry week starts.

BCS computer polls | 10:03 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

Utes drop, win or lose against SDSU.

They need to beat BYU.

re:Cuber poster...

Nice, intelligent post.
What grade are you in there, little fella?

Mormon | 11:15 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008

My Utes will eventually be 13 and OOHH!!! I have said it all along. You just wait and see..

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