Deseret News | Utah Utes football: Johnson, Sakoda, Whittingham headline All-MWC honors

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Utah Utes football: Johnson, Sakoda, Whittingham headline All-MWC honors

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Anonymous | 6:36 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

What all of the Zoobies here are missing is that Brian Johnson led his team to victories when it mattered most, Max failed at that. These picks are spot on.

That is the point | 6:57 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Your defense won most of your games. BJ did nothing- why did he win?
I am not saying Max should have won, he was very very bad vs TCU and U of U. BJ won by defalt!

Offensive Player of the Year | 6:59 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Brian is deserving of the award. Utah's offense is predicated on winning the game. It is not a "high powered" offense. It is meant to score more than their opponent. BYU's offense is meant to score a lot of points. Utah doesn't throw a lot of long passes. Our average yards per play are 5.8 yards per play compared to BYU's 7.1 yards per play. If Max Hall played for Utah, his stats would be comparable to Brian Johnson. It's the system, not as much the individual. I love Alex Smith but realize he was the perfect fit for the system. Tim Tebo will be the first pick in the draft next year and who knows if he'll be successful at the next level? In Urban's system, he is similar to Alex Smith. Max Hall is a good QB and will be drafted. His one fault is that he gets nervous under extrem pressure. Utah's system produces good college QB's. BYU's system produces good college QB's as well. Hall will be drafted. BJ probably won't be drafted because he is somewhat fragile.

Comments continue below

RE: The Ute Fan 5:33 pm | 6:59 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

I can't speak to the attendance numbers because I don't keep track like you do but I have to wonder about your part of your comment.

"Next year it will be back to normal and the Y will be back on top."

BYU is 2-5 against the Utes and 2-2 under the current coaches. Can you define what you mean by "normal" and how BYU will be back "on top?" Looks to me like the Utes OWN byU.

Re: Strength of Schedule | 7:04 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

How do you people function in the real world? Do you understand what you comment implies about your own BYU team??

Simply put... | 7:05 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Congratulations Coach Whittingham, Brian Johnson, King Louie, and the whole Utah crew. Well done!!!!

Re: Where does the U get a coach | 7:18 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Re: "Where does U of U go to get a coach - they go and get a BYU grad..."

Actually, Utah gets the coach who turned down offer from BYU.

WHY? Because we know he bleeds RED. But first and foremost, he is smart to turn down BYU.

Any questions?

SoCalUtahFan

Re: Schedule of Strength | 7:25 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Think about this...(it may be hard for you to understand), but Utah beats 3 currently ranked team (top-12 TCU, top-20 BYU, top-25 OSU).

On the other hand, BYU has 0 wins against currently ranked team. BYU had 1 win over winning team (AFA), 1 win over .500 team (CSU), the 8 wins over losing teams --including 1 over Northern Iowa, and 1 over win-less Washington.

Now, do you get it?

Go over the current top-25 and see how many can claim they beats 3 currently ranked teams?

SoCalUtahFan

I agree... | 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

BYU fans, stop whining, comparing and crying. It's over and Utah took it to you. They were the better team on Nov 22nd period. It doesn't matter what Hall could've done, he didn't. Utah is the best in the MWC. The picks are right on.

Jan Jorgenson | 8:02 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Didn't come up in big games? or was that Max Hall? They might be the same person. Neither are clutch players. Can't deny it.

Stat Check | 8:09 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

I'm a diehard Cougar fan, but I have to admit that I thought Louie Sakoda would have taken the Offensive Player of the Year award over Johnson. Sakoda is much more indispensable than Johnson (Sakoda is ranked 6th in scoring with 115 points).

Other great candidates who I think trump Johnson are Austin Collie (95 receptions for 1,419 yards and 15 touchdowns; leads the NCAA in receiving yards), Devin Moore (Wyoming; 250 carries for 1,303 yards and 7 touchdowns), Dennis Pitta (78 receptions for 1,025 yards and 6 touchdowns), and Max Hall.

Max Hall: 300 for 431 (69.6%); 3,629 yards; 34 TD; 13 interceptions; 18 sacks; rating 160.33 (#13)

Bryan Johnson: 241 for 353 (68.3%); 2,636 yards; 24 TD; 9 interceptions; 23 sacks; rating 148.33 (#17)

BYU is better in 1st downs per game, 3rd down conversions, and 4th down conversions.

I don't mind if a Utah player gets the award...but Johnson? He played a great game against BYU, I won't lie. But one great game does not an Offensive Player of the Year make. Give it to Sakoda, Moore, Collie, or Hall.

Best offense in the conference | 8:09 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Here are 2 interesting facts:

Utah led the conference in scoring offense this year.

Utah was 3rd in the conference in offensive yards per game, only 12 yards per game behind BYU, and they didn't play a patsy non-conference schedule like the zoobs.

Had Utah played UCLA and/or Washington, and not pulled their starters (which BYU didn't until Hall had 7 touchdowns to go up 49-0 over UCLA), the Utes offensive stats would have been much better.

In my eyes, BJ deserves the award simply because he made things happen even though he had Ludwig up in the booth calling plays that would have ruined any other teams season.

Anonymous | 8:22 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Krueger is still open

Skippy | 8:33 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Congratulations!

Dave | 8:54 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Is anyone else getting sick and tired of all the zoobies and their constant wining? It's really getting old. Takes your lumps and deal with it already!!

By the way Kruger and the entire defense are still open. Ha ha ha!!

Be Smart | 8:56 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Every utah fan knows that max hall is the better qb. Just because Johnson picked apart byu's terrible defense, if not the worst defense in the mwc. Johnson had the luxury of playing on an outstanding team. Byu had a good offense and that was it they were absolutely terrible on defense. CSU picked byu's defense apart so johnson didn't do anything that csu's offense didn't do. Smoking an awful byu defense doesn't make you the mwc player of the year. Hall is the best player in conference. I am disappointed in some of you utah fans you are acting dilusional like the zubbies.

Anonymous | 9:10 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

King Loui is awesome, but you dont give a placekicker who touches the ball 3-5 times a game, Offensive Player of the Year. Loui got the award that he deserved and will be an All -American. The only Cougar that could have won the OPOTY over BJ is Collie. That guy is a stud!But hands down BJ is the better QB. Being the best isnt stats only,its a combination of leadership, effectiveness, stats, and winning.Dont forget that in the last two years BJ's winning % is higher than Hall's. Congrats on a 10 win season Cougars, but The U had the better season! Move on!

danburtreynolds | 9:21 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Max started better, Johnson ended better. Stats were very similar across the board. Max a little better QB rating, but Johnson came up big in big games when Max seemed melt down a little bit. I think that 12-0 vs 10-2 played a big role. Either guy could have taken home the hardware, but probably BJ deserved it. To say one guy obviously deserved over the other is ridiculous.

danburtreynolds | 9:23 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

One more thing, BJ the #1 guy on the #1 scoring offense in the league, what more do you want?

duh... | 9:54 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Lets think here. If this team actually were to play anyone we would want the QB throwing to the right people right? I watched BYU play AF TCU and the U. I don't think I could count all the int's and dropped int's on both hands and feet. And as much as I hate to admit it Hall can only throw to Collie. BJ can spread it around. It kills me to say it but regardless of stats BJ deserves it more then Hall.

Gretkzy | 10:01 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

i am sorry, but Johnson is NOT the best QB in the conference by far.. I guess they had to go with the BSC buster though. what about Dalton from TCU? Max Hall is better than Johnson all season long for sure. Johnson could only engineer about 3 serious drives all season long. the rest were referee gimmees as TCU (whole game) and BYU (first half) got homered as did OSU for that matter. Johnson is simply not that great. i know you will say he had injuries but i just don't think he has what it takes in the end. Utah is definitely overrated at #6. if BYU was overrated in the top 10 then Utah is definitely overrated.

Just like the Heisman | 10:06 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Why does the Offensive Player of the Year award go to the QB from the best team in the conference? It's like the Heisman; it's actually supposed to be an award that goes to the best PLAYER of the year, but it almost always goes to the QB on the team that wins the national title. Why? What gives?

I don't doubt that Johnson is a good player, but there are plenty of other players in our conference deserving of this award. And just because Sakoda touches the ball 3-5 times a game does not preclude him from getting the award. Without Sakoda, the Utes wouldn't be undefeated. The award should go to Louie.

Let it go | 10:17 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Why worry about this stuff. It's not important and doesn't affect you in any way. None of you played in any of the games.

sorry utes | 10:32 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

the utes will find out very soon how overated they are !! are you kidding me do you really think the utes would have won at tcu?, won at osu?,won at byu ? and just a final note all you ute fans should wear toledo shirts to the bcs game!!! they but mich. too!!!! are you kidding me!!!!!!!! are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!! and one final thought!! when the utes wear the same bullseye on there backs that the cougars do and still win 10 or 11 games every year then ill give them credit, but it wont be in this lifetime!!!!!! are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!

The Magic Happened | 10:46 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

(correction) you can get a 6-6 team*....i just don't want to befuddle or confuse any byu fan...

Jarid in Cedar | 10:51 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Lies, dang lies, and statistics. BJ vs Hall. Classic discussion of stats vs results.

I watched all but 3 games for both teams. The reason Johnson is the OPOY is that he gave his team(and the fans) a sense that he would not let them lose. His statistics are good, but he received the award because of leadership, poise, guts, and skill. Hall was not AS GOOD(he had his good moments)under pressure(forcing to Collie and Pitta) when the game was in the balance.

As far as stats, both QB's had similar completion percentages but Hall threw for 59 more completions on 78 more attempts. If you give Johnson 78 more attempts at his season completion rate, add his Yards to completion(10.94 yds/catch), extrapolate his TD's and interception by the same the lines would look like this:

Hall: 300-431 (69.6%);3,629 yards;34 TD;13 INT

Johnson: 294-431 (68.3%);3,220 yards;30 TD;11 INT

Not much different.

The voters for these awards know it and one other poster said it: Different offenses, different responsibilities.

If stats were the only criteria, they wouldn't need to vote on the awards. They would just look who had more catches, rushing yards, etc.

Get over it | 10:55 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

I agree with "Let it go" none of this really matters to us as fans. Just get over it and move on. Also, give credit where credit is due, yes Max Hall had a tremendous season, but when the pressure was on he was miserable. When the prssure was on for Brian Johnson he came through, he was consistent and got better as the season progessed. There's nothing anyone can do about it now, what's done is done, and in the eye's of the voters Brian was better. Go Utes!!! Also congrats to Louie and Coach Whittingham, it's been an amazing season, just keep it going for one more!!

Prediction | 11:00 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Utes will lose their BCS bowl game and not bring in a dime of revenue for the MWC.

The NIT | 11:02 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Good choices all around. As usual, there are many differences of opinion on many if not all of the players, but one choice is not debatable and that is Kyle Whittingham as Coach of the Year. A wonderful award for a class person. Congratulations, Kyle!

Nevin Limburg | 11:18 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

The MWC is right on in picking Brian Johnson as the OPOY. Good Heavens, BYU fans, grow up! The Utes coach, all of the team, and the thousands of Ute fans know who the leader of their undefeated team has been--BJ! 24 passing touchdowns to 9 INTs, pretty darn good. So is over 2,200 yards passing, not to mention his running yards, touchdowns, two point conversion run, scrambling ability, and resoluteness through adversity. For those opposed to this pick to make a small nothing out of "who you would want to put the ball in the hands of with two minutes on the clock," namely BJ, probably the best in the country at that this year, just shows how ignorant about football that such fans are. Football is more about guts and determination and team leadership and the will to win under tough situations, than it is about racking up big numbers by throwing the ball into receivers hands. I'll take Brian Johnson any day of all those possible in this very good MWC year. His winning record speaks for itself, and it speaks volumes! Then to top it off, those same fans mock Alex Smith---unbelievable. Have they forgotten 52-21?

anyone who understands winning | 11:23 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

If you had to choose a QB to take your team out on the field and win the big games this year, why in the world would you choose MAX HALL? The reason he was not the first team QB this year is because BYU had 2 big games the entire year and lost both of them in emberassing fashion...both games in which Hall choked UNDER PRESSURE. Brian Johnson proved more than once he could lead his team to a victory and not choke under pressure. Anyone who understands winning or even counting understands that 12 wins are more than 10 and 0 losses are less than 2. Brian Johnson is the obvious choice if you want to win the big game this year. Stop crying Couger fans and quit making excuses, UTAH IS BETTER THAN BYU, everyone outside happy valley knows it. OPEN YOUR EYES and stop WHINING!

Only stat that matters 12-0 | 11:40 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Of course it was Johnson over Hall. Sure Hall had more yards and TD's but 1 thing zoobs always seem to forget is that the most important stat requires a zero. 12-0. When it mattered most BJ stepped it up and won games. Hall obviously tanks it.

re: sorry utes | 11:47 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

another couger fan full of excuses.

Urban Meyer Put it Best | 11:51 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008

Statistics are for losers.

The only statistic that counts is W-L.

Or, let's put it this way Cougar fans; statistically Hall and Collie both had great years.

Among those two Cougs who would you give OPOTY to and why?

john | 12:29 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

the reason why the COACHES & MEDIA voted for Brian Johnson for the offensive player of the year instead of max small is that in the biggest moments against the biggest games against the best teams that they played he came up BIG EVERY TIME. THE 2ND HALF VS AIR FORCE, 11 PTS VS OSU in the last 211, the td vs tcu with 0 turnovers, 4tds 0 turnovers vs byu. who really cares if small threw for more tds & more yds? vs utah & tcu he had 0 passing tds 1 rushing & 10 turnovers! so who is exactly thats overrated? to any sane person its max small

Re: Urban Meyer Put it Best | 12:37 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I can see where you're coming from; it is true that when all is said and done, the only thing that counts is wins and losses.

Now let me ask you a question: is BJ the OPOTY because his team is undefeated, or is he REALLY that good? We see this all the time with the Heisman...it's typically awarded to the QB from the school that wins that national title. Yet the Heisman is supposed to go to the best player, not the best player from the #1 school, etc.

The way I see it, it doesn't matter which team you play on. The title of the award is "Offensive Player of the Year," not "Best Offensive Player from the best team in the conference." Yes, BJ had some good games. Yes, BJ had some poise, confidence, etc. But so did Collie. Even when BYU as a team was losing to teams like TCU and Utah, Collie still had impressive games; he had 10 consecutive games where he accumulated 100+ yards of receiving. He leads the NCAA in receiving yards and is ranked #4 in touchdowns. Collie is a dang impressive player.

Give the award to Sakoda or Collie.

Is BJ really that good? NO!!!! | 12:43 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I guarantee that if the Utes had one loss, BJ wouldn't have gotten OPOTY. BJ is a good player...but OPOTY? You have to be kidding me.

Is BJ getting this award because his team happens to be undefeated, or is he getting it because he is truly a phenomenal player? Answer honestly....

UTES BABY!! | 12:59 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I just want to know how anyone can argue with BJ as the OPY? Scoreboard people - 12-0 is all that matters and while he didn't do it alone, Utah would not be undefeated without him. He is the most valuable player. NO one is saying he is an NFL QB. Who cares about padded stats against horrible teams. Hell, I could throw for 300 yards and 5 TDs against crap like SDSU. Notice when BJ threw for 5 TDs in the first half against SDSU he wasn't the player of the week; Max Hall was with much inferior stats. That shows you that stats aren't the total story. Win a big game that matters and play with some nuts when it counts Maxie and maybe you will get some credit for something other than a ton of meaningless stats rolled up against horrible defenses. Austin Collie is a stud but BYU has no one else who can catch a ball - UTAH's five guys spread it around and I would take that any day. If not BJ, then the Co State RB should have been next in line - he was a total stud all year in every game.

Re: Prediction | 1:20 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Win or Lose the Utes bring home a huge BCS Bowl paycheck to the MWC. Do us all a favor and do a little research prior to posting your jealous comments.

Offensive MVP | 1:32 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Certainly Johnson is deserving of the MWC offensive player of the year. He is a duel threat QB who was consistent throughout the year, especially under pressure. He excelled in pressure situations.

Austin Collie should be the only Cougar mentioned. He is an outstanding receiver. Max Hall has potential to be very good but fell apart in the two most difficult games on the Cougar schedule.

Johnson guided the Utes to a MWC best 12-0 and also a MWC best 37.4 points per game (against a more difficult schedule than Hall faced).

There were only two choices, Johnson or Collie. The right decision was made. Congratulations Brian!

Anonymous | 1:38 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Hahaha Poor Cougar fans, they have nothing to look forward to so they have to moan and gripe about what coulda woulda shoulda. Hey Max, Kruger is still open!

To Alex Smith bashers | 1:41 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Please do a little research and look at the early years of your beloved Steve Young. He played for lowly Tampa Bay and was PATHETIC! Once he stepped in to replace Joe Montana on the best team in the NFL he excelled.

The current 49ers are pathetic. If Young had been placed in Smith's position he would not have excelled, period. With a new offensive coordinator each year and very few offensive weapons, Smith was placed in an extremely difficult position.

I believe over time Smith will have a successful career in the NFL. He is very bright and has the physical skills to succeed. If placed on a winning team like the Patriots or Colts, he would be posting excellent numbers too. Not every QB lucks out and is placed on the best NFL team like Steve Young was.

Your comments are full of envy and jealousy. We should all be wishing the MWC players in the NFL success.

reality check | 2:18 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

It is so amusing to read all the TDS posters claims that Maxie should be OPOTY. Wait are these the same posters that bashed the crap out of hall blaming him for single handedly losing the game against UT. Ha ha ha. Maxie racked up some stats in an all air offense against bad teams and when it came time to play the only two good teams all year he choked hard core. In reality he didn't choke the better teams rather exposed him. The UT defense was there all night and sure collie is a heck of a receiver but he and pitta are the only ones he can throw to. Any one of UT's receivers could has stats lose to collie if they were the only guy getting the ball. Bj had struggles but it was against tough teams. He never choked like maxie. This same Bj that threw at will against the TDS won against tough teams in tough games never losing his composure. He had a rough start maybe but he never failed to impress at the end

Wouldve, Couldve, Shouldve...... | 3:27 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

This is just a dream scenario for ute fans, no matter what the BYU homers say, they just keep digging themselves deeper and deeper. It has gotten so bad that one zoob brought up the ever important stadium size argument. You cant win the argument of better team, better QB, better record, BCS birth, quest for perfection, etc, so you go to the "our stadium is bigger than yours" argument. Also the "we sell out even when our team sucks" argument. Other popular arguments are, the utes "should" have 3 losses, but guesss what? they dont! max should be 1st team all mwc, guess what? hes not! One thing that we know both BJ and Maxie do well though, complete passes to Ute players! Kruger is still open! and Maxie is still throwing the ball to him!

Socalutefan | 5:32 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

You- like the rest of your yewties- need to find a job, girlfriend...life. I read these posts once every 2 weeks and your name is plastered all over these boards.

HAHAHAHAH!!! | 7:19 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

BYU fans are hilarious!!!...hahaha...when are you gonna give up?! You lost to TCU, you got killed by us...just deal with it!...but look at the bright side...you'll be playing a 6-6 mediocre team again in your bowl (sorta like your national championship opponent huh)...while the Mighty Utes of Utah are 12-0 and in the BCS and actually play competition.........HEY BYU FANS! Do you know what it feels like to be 12-0 and in the BCS....probably not. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

danburtreynolds | 7:29 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

RE: Is BJ really that good? NO!!!!

Your argument is invalid because Utah didn't lose. Of course the teams overall record plays into it. Rodney Furgeson and Frank the tank were very good, but their teams were not.

Max Hall MVP | 8:22 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Max Hall should have won the award, if the award went to the person who choked at when it matters most. I heard they tried to give him the award, but he passed. It was intercepted by Utah.

OPOY-Collie | 8:51 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

My argument is not that Hall should have been the OPOY over BJ, but the award should have gone to the most consident player all year. The OPOY award should have gone to Austin Collie. He performed game in and game out at a very high offensive level all season long.

reply Just like Heisman | 9:05 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Let me make this clear for you: You have to play on offense to get OPOY. Loui is on Special Teams, therefore he recieved Special Teams Player Of The Year.Brian Johnson plays on Offense. He had 4 game winning drives and put Loui In position to make Special Team Plays, which he did!Bottom line is BJ is a winner and his team responds to him.Its called Leadership.

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