Photo gallery: Victory in Vegas for BYU
Congratulations to the University of Utah Utes and the Brigham Young University Cougars for big bowl wins capping off excellent seasons for both teams this week.
The No. 15 Cougars dominated No. 16 Oregon State at the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl Tuesday, winning 44-20 in unusually chilly, windy conditions. BYU quarterback Max Hall ended his senior season as the game's Most Valuable Player. "We just made another statement for our program and our conference," Hall said after the game. BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said, "Our program is on its way to continued national respect."
BYU coaches and players may talk about "respect," but it's likely what they really want (and deserve, in my opinion) is better access to the BCS and its millions of dollars. BYU has yet to play in a BCS bowl, but with a quality win to end the season they have a shot at finishing in the top 10 in national rankings.
2004 and 2008 BCS busters the University of Utah Utes controlled most of the game in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Wednesday, winning 37-27. The Utes got off to a shaky start as the Golden Bears scored 14 points in 11 seconds to take an early 14-0 lead. The Utes recovered nicely, however, making adjustments on both offense and defense. The Utes have won nine bowl games in nine years, the longest bowl win streak in the country. Utah's all-time bowl game win record is 12-3.
The Poinsettia Bowl win was the year's biggest victory for freshman Jordan Wynn, who became the Utes' starting quarterback midway through the season. Previously Wynn had led the Utes to beat Wyoming and San Diego State, but struggled against TCU and BYU.
Here are some post-game notes from the Utes' website:
David Reed has set school records for both catches in a season (81) and receiving yards in a season (1,188). Both records came on a 39-yard catch in the fourth quarter. Reed's 103 receiving yards marks the fifth time he has had over 100 yards receiving in a game this season and in his career.
Jordan Wynn had his first career 300-yard passing game with 338 yards. His 26 completed passes (26-of-36) is also a career-high.
Stevenson Sylvester had a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown. It is his second career pick and his he returned both interceptions for a touchdown. His only other career interception came against Utah State in 2006 for a 45-yard return.
Sylvester led Utah with eight tackles.
Robert Johnson made his sixth interception of the year in the fourth quarter, which ties him for sixth on the all-time list at Utah. His 13 career interceptions ties him for fifth all-time at Utah.
Kendrick Moeai scored his first career touchdown in the first quarter, a six-yard catch from Jordan Wynn. He also scored a touchdown in the second quarter on a 15-yard reception from Wynn.
Aiona Key blocked his first punt of the season in the second quarter. It is his first blocked kick since blocking a field goal against New Mexico last season. He has four career blocked kicks (three punts and one field goal).
Jereme Brooks made his seventh touchdown catch of the year (eighth overall TD) in the second quarter, a 21-yard pass from Jordan Wynn. Brooks had seven catches for 76 yards in the game.
Eddie Wide ends his season with 1,069 rushing yards, which ranks eighth on the all-time list at Utah. He had 21 rushes for 37 yards against Cal.
Eddie Wide had four receptions for 83 yards. Prior to the game he had 13 catches for 71 yards for his career.
Shaky Smithson had two kick returns for 76 yards. His 61-yard kick return in first quarter is a career long.
Joe Phillips was three-for-three in field goals. He had makes of 29, 28 and 25 yards.
Photo by Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
Comments
Great “rebuilding” year for the Utes. Now we have next year to look forward to!