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Aug 26, 2016
12:16:45pm
nashty All-American
week 2 -
Week 2 – BYU (1-0) @ #23 Utah (1-0) – Sat, Sept 10, 2016 – Rice Eccles – SLC, UT – 7:30pm EST – Fox

The internet exploded the night before the game, not just because of the Holy War but someone “leaked” a rumor after UofA game that Taysom was out for the year, again, and retiring from football. Coach Wittingham blew up a beat writer who kept asking questions about BYU, saying “Why the [edit] don’t you go ask them…this is Utah, not Provo!”

Amazingly, #7 trots out as the starter in RES and grins profusely when asked about his alleged “injury.” “I have no idea what you’re talking about…I’m 100% and ready to finally beat these guys,” he replies in a pre-game interview. What is maybe most satisfying is seeing Coach Sitaki and Whittingham joking around for a solid 15 minutes before the game at midfield. No incidents between the teams or players…a brotherhood that was lost seems to be renewed between these bitter rivals.

Utah has never really faced a fully healthy and experienced Taysom and they, quite frankly, can’t handle it. He leads BYU to a 14-0 first quarter lead that BYU will never relinquish despite UU’s second-half efforts. Hill, rushed only three times but picked up huge chunks (56 yards) on three scrambles after being flushed out of the pocket on an over-zealous Ute defender. Taysom also hit Trinnaman and MLP for long TD passes (22 and 38 yards). Once Utes seemingly adjust to his speed and athleticism he finds the open man downfield. Taysom finds the endzone himself on a 5 yard option play just before half to extend the lead to 21-3. Everyone in royal blue is on cloud nine!

Given past years, most are awaiting the 5 turnovers or total implosion but this team is playing with a loose-ness and swag that was really not seen in Bronco’s tenure…at least not against Utah.

The second half amazingly sees the Utes lock down and play more assignment sound defense but given UU’s potent pressure, Taysom proves more than capable of escaping most of their attempts to get at him. As has become tradition, Tanner takes the opening drive of the second half but is stalled when a Ute DE blindsides him on the Utah 34 forcing a punt. Taysom checks back and provides more mobility. On one particular play a Ute DE, rips the entire front of Taysom’s jersey off trying to tackle him…Taysom stiff-arms him, sprints to the corner, fakes a pass to Juergens, then keeps going all the way to the endzone. The next possession, he does the same thing on a scramble, stops on a dime and tries to hit Jamaal over the middle but it’s picked off! With the torn shirt flowing like a cape, he tracks down the Ute DB and gets a SportsCenter top 10 hit absolutely blowing the dude up. At that moment he was seriously dubbed by the Fox announcers as “Superman”.

The Bronco-era of the Holy War is officially over…the Kalani-era has just begun! Cougs dominate the first half and play solidly in 2nd to secure a 28-13 win. Kalani admits afterwards this was the most satisfying moment of his career and embraces Kyle Whittingham as he comes to the interview table after him.

Player of the Game – Taysom Hill – 23/35, 282 yds, 3 TD’s, 1 INT, 7 rush, 98 yds, 1 TD, + one top-10 tackle even the MUSS went “oooohhhh” on.
nashty
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nashty
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