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Dick Harmon: Y.'s Tidwell knows USU rivalry well
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UTAG | 10:43 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009
Great article, Dick. Thanks.
I'm an Ag all the way and am thrilled with the progress this year. It's a once-great program with good tradition if you go back a ways. Hopefully Gary Andersen can lead the Ags back into contention. They're playing with commitment, the will to win, and a no-give-up attitude now. With more experience and depth the program could really improve. Logan and USU have so much to offer.
I'm an Ag all the way and am thrilled with the progress this year. It's a once-great program with good tradition if you go back a ways. Hopefully Gary Andersen can lead the Ags back into contention. They're playing with commitment, the will to win, and a no-give-up attitude now. With more experience and depth the program could really improve. Logan and USU have so much to offer.
S2 | 7:41 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009
I have vivid memories of a BYU-USU game in Logan in 1982 with my bride, hosted
by a former mission companion and USU student, and his wife. He warned me that
whenever BYU was the opponent, it became "National Tequila Day." It
was also Halloween and cold and rainy, and we were checked for flasks at the
gate.
Our seats were great, and in the middle of the USU student section. I was disturbed by the abundance of anti-Spencer Kimball, Orrin Hatch and other home made banners festooning the stadium.
BYU did not handle the ball well in wet conditions in those days, and the game turned, and ended in USU's favor.
I am not a belligerent person, and have never engaged in fights. However, I am also not easily cowed, and openly cheered BYU's efforts. Some obviously inebriated students targeted me, and started shoving, taunting, and throwing punches at my turned back. My friend's wife, who worked in a USU admin office, knew my antagonists and sadly affirmed that most were return missionaries. I continued my cheering to the end, ignoring the real losers behind me, but the memory has discolored my respect since.
Our seats were great, and in the middle of the USU student section. I was disturbed by the abundance of anti-Spencer Kimball, Orrin Hatch and other home made banners festooning the stadium.
BYU did not handle the ball well in wet conditions in those days, and the game turned, and ended in USU's favor.
I am not a belligerent person, and have never engaged in fights. However, I am also not easily cowed, and openly cheered BYU's efforts. Some obviously inebriated students targeted me, and started shoving, taunting, and throwing punches at my turned back. My friend's wife, who worked in a USU admin office, knew my antagonists and sadly affirmed that most were return missionaries. I continued my cheering to the end, ignoring the real losers behind me, but the memory has discolored my respect since.
Comments continue below
Hype | 8:32 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009
This game is getting way to much hype, the aggies will score 21 points and lose
by 23 44-21. There fans will claim another moral victory just like last year.
Same team, new coach, same old aggies, they may play harder than last year but
the final score will not be any better for them!!!
Other Side | 10:02 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009
To S2:
While I do not condone the actions of those around you at that game, you never should sit in the middle of an opponent's student section and openly and boisterously cheer against them. You were asking for trouble.
I was at the BYU-USU game in 2006 in Provo. I purchased tickets in the visiting team section, northwest corner of the stadium by the visiting team's locker room. I wore my Aggie gear to the game. I was mocked and taunted all the way to the stadium. I cheered loudly during the game, but there was not much to cheer for as USU lost 38-0. As the Aggies were leaving the field after the game, several BYU fans across from me in the west stand started shouting and berating the players, using language that was unbecoming of any civilized person, let alone anybody associating them self with a religious institution. I yelled across to the mob demanding that they stop, but the persecution only intensified. Do not pretend that Aggie fans are any worse than Cougar fans. Everybody has a story.
While I do not condone the actions of those around you at that game, you never should sit in the middle of an opponent's student section and openly and boisterously cheer against them. You were asking for trouble.
I was at the BYU-USU game in 2006 in Provo. I purchased tickets in the visiting team section, northwest corner of the stadium by the visiting team's locker room. I wore my Aggie gear to the game. I was mocked and taunted all the way to the stadium. I cheered loudly during the game, but there was not much to cheer for as USU lost 38-0. As the Aggies were leaving the field after the game, several BYU fans across from me in the west stand started shouting and berating the players, using language that was unbecoming of any civilized person, let alone anybody associating them self with a religious institution. I yelled across to the mob demanding that they stop, but the persecution only intensified. Do not pretend that Aggie fans are any worse than Cougar fans. Everybody has a story.
citizen16 | 11:13 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009
As a lifelong fan of BYU, I have to say that I don't really have any
particular memories of Utah State games. It seems like there used to be a wagon
wheel or something that went to the winner of this game. But I think it sat in
the Wilkinson Center for years (more than a decade probably) without being
updated or moved.
I'm glad to hear the BYU players are taking this game seriously, but from a fans perspective this is a one-sided rivalry. It's hard to even call it a rivalry since only the Utah State fans get excited for this game. It was amusing, and little sad really, when the Utah State fans got so excited at the end of the game last year when their team scored a couple of TDs against BYU's backups. I guess that's the most prominent memory I have of a BYU-Utah State game...USU fans cheering because their team only lost by 21 points.
I'm glad to hear the BYU players are taking this game seriously, but from a fans perspective this is a one-sided rivalry. It's hard to even call it a rivalry since only the Utah State fans get excited for this game. It was amusing, and little sad really, when the Utah State fans got so excited at the end of the game last year when their team scored a couple of TDs against BYU's backups. I guess that's the most prominent memory I have of a BYU-Utah State game...USU fans cheering because their team only lost by 21 points.
Aggie Fan | 1:12 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
Go Ags!
Samurai Jack | 2:23 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
BYU's schedule is better off when Utah State is NOT on it.
In the days of BCS hopes and computer rankings there is no benefit in scheduling USU.
Am I wrong in stating that the majority of BYU fans are disappointed that BYU has started scheduling USU again?
The USU/BYU "rivalry" is a dated issue and is only burning bright in the heart of Aggie fans. The majority of BYU fans don't really care about it much at all.
It would be better for BYU to pick up a middle of the pack Big East or Conference USA opponent rather than schedule USU.
In the days of BCS hopes and computer rankings there is no benefit in scheduling USU.
Am I wrong in stating that the majority of BYU fans are disappointed that BYU has started scheduling USU again?
The USU/BYU "rivalry" is a dated issue and is only burning bright in the heart of Aggie fans. The majority of BYU fans don't really care about it much at all.
It would be better for BYU to pick up a middle of the pack Big East or Conference USA opponent rather than schedule USU.
RE: Other side | 2:40 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
There is no question that those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw
stones. I went to see BYU play at Notre Dame years ago. The Cougars upset the
Irish, and after the game we, who were all wearing BYU attire, were approached
by several ND fans. They were all polite, complimented our team and wished us
well. I found myself wondering if they would have been treated as well in Provo
as we were in South Bend. I think we all know the answer to that question.
Cougar fans have every reason to be respectful and dignified toward their opponent's team and fans. I have seen too many examples when that has not been the case. I hope this week as USU comes to town, that we will be good hosts and gracious winners.
Go Cougs.
Cougar fans have every reason to be respectful and dignified toward their opponent's team and fans. I have seen too many examples when that has not been the case. I hope this week as USU comes to town, that we will be good hosts and gracious winners.
Go Cougs.
Aggie Fan 2 | 2:55 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
It is a one sided rivalry, but oh the sweetness of berating BYU. It's the
reason Aggie fans exist! Go Ags.
Anonymous | 3:17 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
I'm sure anyone from Dallas will not appreciate having SMU being identified
as across town from TCU in Fort Worth.
John Harvey | 3:42 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
Maybe not this year, but USU will beat BYU again. USU athletics are improving,
it has been recognized as the best athletic program in the country on a
dollar-per-dollar basis.
The Aggies will be up for the game(s). The reason? Ever since the LDS Church founded these two schools, what became BYU has tried to cut off funds and recognition from Logan - Church documents from the 1800s show the Provo school repeatedly petitioned Leaders to designate them as the Church's official school and withdraw recognition from the Logan school.
The WAC exclusion was an effect tactic because it killed a revenue stream. Money matters, the year of BYU's championship they had better facilities than the two teams which went to the Super Bowl! Sports Illustrated did a story on that very topic that year! The combination of WAC revenues, donations, and Church subsidies added up to incredible budgets.
The WAC exclusion also forced USU to be efficient. Now the pieces are finally starting to completely gel. Basketball has been great for years, now football is getting better. Maybe not this year, but very soon BYU will receive a "L" in this series.
The Aggies will be up for the game(s). The reason? Ever since the LDS Church founded these two schools, what became BYU has tried to cut off funds and recognition from Logan - Church documents from the 1800s show the Provo school repeatedly petitioned Leaders to designate them as the Church's official school and withdraw recognition from the Logan school.
The WAC exclusion was an effect tactic because it killed a revenue stream. Money matters, the year of BYU's championship they had better facilities than the two teams which went to the Super Bowl! Sports Illustrated did a story on that very topic that year! The combination of WAC revenues, donations, and Church subsidies added up to incredible budgets.
The WAC exclusion also forced USU to be efficient. Now the pieces are finally starting to completely gel. Basketball has been great for years, now football is getting better. Maybe not this year, but very soon BYU will receive a "L" in this series.
those pesky aggies | 4:41 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
"...but the atmosphere, to some, was that a feisty USU squad out-played the
Cougars."
I wouldn't say they were feisty. "Pesky" is a better word for them. And no, they didn't outplay BYU. They were just pesky. We were up 34-0 thru 3 quarters, backed off in the 4th, and allowed USU to get a couple of TD's.
The only people who thought USU out-played BYU were aggie fans who didn't understand what was going on in the 4th quarter.
I wouldn't say they were feisty. "Pesky" is a better word for them. And no, they didn't outplay BYU. They were just pesky. We were up 34-0 thru 3 quarters, backed off in the 4th, and allowed USU to get a couple of TD's.
The only people who thought USU out-played BYU were aggie fans who didn't understand what was going on in the 4th quarter.
Everyone has a story | 4:50 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
That can't be substantiated, so what is the point putting it up here. The
Cougar and aggie fans will believe what they want......
John Harvey II | 5:03 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
Nice conspiracy theory, this goes clear back to the 1800s WOW!! What church
documents? This is the same worn out tactic that has been used for years. Make
false accusations and then base them on obscure references to fictitious
documents from the 1800s that no one, not even you can substantiate. Produce
your documents!
One thing is certain, BYU and Utah will continue their dominance over the aggies. Maybe you aggies should put your energies toward a WAC championhship which would mean worrying about beating BSU more than BYU.
One thing is certain, BYU and Utah will continue their dominance over the aggies. Maybe you aggies should put your energies toward a WAC championhship which would mean worrying about beating BSU more than BYU.
Rivalry | 5:10 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
Its not a Rival if you haven't won a game for 30 years.
bakerb | 7:07 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
John Harvey,
Though the Utah State perspective is that they were snubbed by BYU and U of U when the WAC was formed, it was really more about economics.
Utah State was in jeopardy of losing Div I status just a couple of years ago due to low average attendance. There are minimums and Utah State has been under the minimum attendance in many of the past years. Until the Fans will support Utah State, they are doomed to continue in obscurity. It is the unfortunate truth of the situation.
Hopefully, Coach Andersen can arouse some enthusiasm in the Players and Fans and get the attendance up. It will be a difficult challenge in a small Community. Boise State (for instance) has a population base of about 300,000 in contrast to the population of Cache County (112,000). Utah County (over 500,000) and Salt Lake County (over 1,000,000) have a distinct advantage.
Good luck on Friday!
Though the Utah State perspective is that they were snubbed by BYU and U of U when the WAC was formed, it was really more about economics.
Utah State was in jeopardy of losing Div I status just a couple of years ago due to low average attendance. There are minimums and Utah State has been under the minimum attendance in many of the past years. Until the Fans will support Utah State, they are doomed to continue in obscurity. It is the unfortunate truth of the situation.
Hopefully, Coach Andersen can arouse some enthusiasm in the Players and Fans and get the attendance up. It will be a difficult challenge in a small Community. Boise State (for instance) has a population base of about 300,000 in contrast to the population of Cache County (112,000). Utah County (over 500,000) and Salt Lake County (over 1,000,000) have a distinct advantage.
Good luck on Friday!
Advice to Bronco | 9:16 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
Start Riley Nelson, or you will lose this game.
Hall Needs A Pass | 9:21 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009
Give him a game to think about what he plans to do after the season is over. He
has no place in professional football.
Bronco's Plan | 9:02 a.m. Oct. 2, 2009
Start Riley Nelson in the 4th quarter (up 34-0), or BYU will win this game by
too much.
Tell Riley to have mercy on his old team.
Tell Riley to have mercy on his old team.
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