I've been critical of Rose at times but I'll say this about him. He's a fighter. He was insulted two years ago by that guy in the red jacket, and he took it personally. I heard it in his voice then, and I saw it on the floor tonight. He wasn't going to lose this game. But seriously, Rose had his guys ready to go and he gave cougarnation the first W over Utah in 5 years. Finally, somebody had a team ready to go. Swept the state after losing Mika and Emery.

Heath: What can you say? Team has responded to him. Firing the crowd up with 3 minutes left, constantly bringing the energy.

Yoeli: Monster game, he's the type of guy that is usually on the Utah side. Props to him for choosing BYU and taking it to the Utes. Gutted it out, and came back in and created some needed cushion on the scoreboard.

Elijah: Best player on the floor tonight. Clutch. Wasn't going to let us lose. Props to him for putting this team on his back and getting us going and seeing it through.

Payton: I'm not kidding when I say he changed the game in our favor when the Utes made their best run...wow...there was a period of about 4 minutes where he did everything except sell popcorn. Rebounds, hustle plays, points, 3 bombs, insane. That stretch brought me to my feet after his second 3 bomb. For 5 years cougarfan777 hadn't been brought to his feet, (outside of the Mika block at Gonzaga) but wow, Payton Dastrup. If there was one moment where the MUSS at home watching on TV, truly mussed their pants it was during that stretch.

The Fans: Awesome. Again, our "nerdy" student section, as the MUSS would call them, but they are really just "upstanding individuals" that stand so far above the MUSS that the MUSS must try to bring them down. But props to the ROC, they brought it tonight and every time the TV showed them I know the MUSS died a little bit inside.

Bill: Okay, so I've always enjoyed a little bit of Walton craziness, but I had no idea the events he covers are now 60 percent about him and 40 percent about the game. It's all fine and dandy I guess when he can talk about playing in the Marriott Center back in the 70's on the old springy floor, and start rambling about Millard Fillmore and Brigham Young.

The rest: The players I didn't mention, all had a role tonight, can't say there was a player not ready to go. Everybody contributed somehow some way.

Have a great Sabbath, Cougarnation.