I've enjoyed adding to this over the years, it seems every year recently has been worthy of an entry in the Holy War Lore...

Holy War Lore

For those who may not be familiar with the history of the BYU-Utah rivalry, and even for those who are, I have compiled a list of the most famous (or infamous, depending on your point-of-view) Holy War rivalry games (feel free to add to this for any significant games I may have missed here). By the way, this is "The Holy War" not the Deseret First Duel, not even the Battle for the Beehive Boot it is and always will be...The Holy War.

One of the many things Utes and Cougars can not agree upon is when this rivalry started. Utah says it started in 1896 when the Utes played the first of 6 games against Brigham Young Academy that the two teams split, so the record should be 54-34-4 for Utah. BYU says it started when Brigham Young UNIVERSITY first played the Utes in 1922, so the record should be 51-31-4. Personally, I say the rivalry started in 1972 because A) nothing matters before Lavell, and B) I dont care much about games that were played before I was born. Therefore, I give you below a summary of the Holy War Lore....

- "Meet Lavell" 1972: First year coach Lavell Edwards led BYU to its first victory in 5 years over the Utes, and marked the changing of the guard to BYU dominating the series for the next 20 years. Prior to this game, the Utes held a 38-5 (and 4 ties) advantage over the Cougars.

- "RUTS '77" 1977: You know things are going right for you when you are frequently hearing complaints of RUTS (running up the score, in case you didn't know). By 1977, Lavell's Cougars and their passing game were in full bloom with Marc Wilson at the helm. Late in the 4th quarter of this 38-8 blowout win, BYU reinserted Marc Wilson in the game so that he could break the NCAA record for passing yards in a game, which he did, ending up with 571 yards on the day. As if the rivalry needed any more fuel for the fire, the Utes did not take this well. It was after this game, that Utah coach Wayne Howard officially inserted hate into the rivalry, saying the hatred between BYU and Utah is nothing compared to what it will be." His statement was both threatening and ironically prophetic. The threat was realized the following year when Utah used the RUTS incident as motivation in a come-from-behind 23-22 win, their first over Lavell Edwards. The prophecy would be fulfilled over the next three decades, culminating in another statement 31 years later (see the 2008 entry in Holy War lore).

- "The Road to #1" 1984: BYU entered this Holy War 10-0 and ranked #3 in the nation. The Utes weren't too bad that year, relatively speaking, ending up 6-5-1. They made it interesting as the game was close until BYU scored to go ahead 24-14 late in the 4th quarter. That same day, #1 Nebraska and #2 South Carolina both lost to clear the way for BYU to be ranked numero uno. They never relinquished the spot.

- "The Rice Bowl" 1988: Before "34-31" there was "57-28." After the first Utah win in 10 years, and only second over Lavell (in 17 years), Ute fans went to merchandising the historic event. Sweatshirts with "The Rice Bowl 57-28, I was there" imprinted and other memorabilia such as bumper stickers, coffee mugs, and the like were seen around the Salt Lake valley for the next year. The game played in Rice Stadium was truly considered as a bowl game for the Ute faithful. Scott Mitchell made a name for himself in this game, setting 4 NCAA records and 26 school records on his way to 384 yards passing. His counterparts in this game were Sean "how many fingers am I holding up" Covey, who suffered yet another concussion, and a scrawny freshman named Ty Detmer. The two combined for 5 interceptions.

- "Payback is a ...Ute" 1989: The previous years 57-28 game was the most points ever in this rivalry, and Ty Detmer and the BYU Cougars were, needless to say, anxious to change that. Change it they did on their way to a 70-31 annihilation of the Utes. BYU scored touchdowns on its first 7 possessions, and in the first 25 minutes the Cougars racked up 411 yards, averaging 11 yards per play, on their way to a 49-0 lead with 5 minutes to go until halftime. The game resulted in the end of future successful NFL coach Jim Fassell's era at the U, despite the fact that only one year earlier (after 57-28) Utah had renewed his contract for 4 more years.

- "34-31 Part 1" 1993: It was the first of a string of 3 in a row, the first of two 34-31 wins, and the beginning of the leveling of the playing field for this rivalry, when Ute kicker (yes, a Ute kicker did actually win a game in this rivalry) Chris Yergensen booted a 55 yard field goal to win it as the clock ran out. Ute coach Ron McBride secured his first win over BYU, and would enjoy a nice run in the 90's as the rivalry finally became consistently competitive. It was immediately after this game that Cougar defensive tackle Lenny Gomes uttered that immortal quote forever enshrined in rivalry lore, "When I'm making $50,000, they'll be pumping my gas."

- "34-31 Part 2" 1994: The Utes couldn't have written a better scenario, in fact, I think if given the choice between a second 34-31 win and a blowout, many Ute fans would probably have gone for the infamous 34-31. The score had been used in commercials with McBride and Lavell even before this game, which made the repeat final score even more ironic. The game itself was another see-saw battle with the Utes scoring the final touchdown with 56 seconds left. To add to the comedy of the situation, the winning touchdown was scored by a guy named Charlie Brown. In a wise move, he did NOT attempt the PAT.

- "Smashmouth '96": We all know that BYU had one of its best teams ever in 1996. What you may not remember is that the Utes weren't too shabby either, and this game was for the WAC Mountain Division title. Ronnie Mac always prided himself on his team's smashmouth style of football. The '96 Utes featured the impressive Chris Ma'fala. The Utes were riding a 3 game winning streak over the Cougs, and there was talk that MAFU had Lavell's number. The game resulted in a thoroughly dominating display of a rushing attack, but it was not from Ma'afala and MAFU's boys. John Tait & crew on the BYU line smacked the U defense over and over as the BYU running tandem of McKenzie-Jenkins ran roughshod down the field to the tune of 366 yards rushing on the way to a 37-17 victory that wasn't even that close.

- "Doink" 1998: After dominating the majority of the game (which was essentially for the WAC mountain division title-again) with sophomore sensation Ronnie Jenkins (128 yards rushing) and a stout defense, the Cougs let the Utes back into the game with a kickoff return for a touchdown and a long pass play deep into Cougar territory in the final minute of play. Fortunately, for the Cougs, after making the long catch that set-up a would-be chip shot FG, Ute WR Daniel Jones did his best rendition of the hippy-hippy shake which resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for 15 yards. The Utes were left with one final play for Ryan Kaneshiro to kick the game-winning field goal of now 30+ yards. Kaneshiro's kick and the subsequent sound resonating from the left upright will live forever in rivalry lore.
NOTE: Although overshadowed by a great game and infamous ending, there was a little more to this story in terms of the rivalry. After the game, linebacker Derek Stevenson was chatting with his parents in front of the stands, when a stereotypical drunk Ute fan proceeded to pick a fight with Stevenson the Elder (some 60+years of age). Derek, who was already known for his late hits and aggressive style of play, did not take too kindly to this and proceeded to pummel the poor, drunk, stupid Ute fan.

- "Cheerleader-gate '99": In the 2nd loss in a row, BYU backed its way into a share of the inaugural MWC title thanks to its lost running game (the dynamic freshman duo of Staley & Tahi were both hurt) and a defense that failed to contain Ute QB Darnell Arcenaux. However, the game itself is not what will be remembered here. This game gets an entry in rivalry lore for an incident following a Ute score involving a male Ute cheerleader and a 19 year old BYU fan. As is customary after a Ute score, the male Ute cheerleaders would take some U flags and run with them in front of the crowd. Only problem was the game was in Provo, and such things are not taken as well in front of the rivals home crowd. The 19 year old kid, a BYU fan, who had obviously had too much caffeine-free coke, took exception to this and decided to jump onto the field and tackle one of the parading Ute cheerleaders. He made a textbook tackle that drew cheers from many of the on looking fans. Before he could do too much celebrating, however, the embarrassed Ute cheerleader, in an apparent attempt to prove that not all guy cheerleaders are fruity pansies, endeavored to teach the young boy a lesson with a few blows before the event staff intervened. The incident sparked a lengthy investigation on the matter by BYU campus police & administration, resulting in a lifetime, yes that's right, lifetime ban from the BYU campus for the kid from BYU. Ironically, the kid was scheduled to enter the MTC in 2 weeks, and the MTC is considered part of BYU campus. Somehow, they worked it out and he served his mission. Perhaps the funniest part is that the Ute cheerleader retained an attorney and threatened to file charges against BYU for not protecting the field from fans. And if that wasnt enough, the Ute cheerleader ended up attending BYU only a few years later.

- Lavells Last Miracle 2000: For the first time in a while, this game had no title implications. As BYU defensive tackle Hans Olsen put it, it was a battle to see who has the crappier season. Nevertheless, much was at stake for BYU. At 5-6 going into this edition of the Holy War, the Cougars ran the risk of sending Lavell Edwards into retirement with only his second losing season, and first in 27 years. BYU was down to 3rd string quarterback, Brandon Doman. The perpetual benchwarmer was thrust into action late in the season and had performed well. After throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown on his first pass attempt of the game, Doman went on to lead the Cougars to one of the most dramatic finishes in Holy War history. BYU methodically outperformed the Utes en route to a 26-10 lead to start the 4th quarter. McBride, having seen enough of Lance Rice, opted for Darnell Arcenaux to finish the game. Arcenaux led a ferocious comeback as the Utes scored 17 points in the 4th quarter to take the lead 27-26 with just over 1 minute remaining. On the opening series of the final drive, BYU ran 3 plays for 3 yards, and the Rice-Eccles crowd smelled a victory. It was 4th and 13. The only thing that would prevent a losing season and a loss in Lavells final hour was a miracle. As if scripted from above, Doman completed a 34 yard pass to Jonathan Pittman to keep the Cougars breathing. Doman then calmly threw another bomb to Pittman for 36 yards down to the Utah 13 yard line. After a Luke Staley run for 9 yards, Doman took the option keeper the final 4 yards for the winning touchdown with 23 seconds left. It was a great way to bid goodbye to a legend.

- "Luuuuuke uses the Force" 2001: As had become customary over the preceding several years, this game was essentially the conference championship. For BYU, it was a chance to finish undefeated in conference and keep its BCS hopes alive in year 1 of the Gary Crowton era. Trailing 21-10 late in the 4th quarter, the dynamic duo of Brandon Doman and Luuuuuuke Staley came through connecting on a touchdown pass and an option pitch for a score to take the lead 24-21 with 1:15 remaining. Staley would end up with 169 yards rushing for the night, on his way to winning the Doak Walker Award that year. The drama for the game was not over after Staley's last touchdown, however. The Utes drove the ball into BYU territory in the final minute, when Bob Rice's grandson perfectly placed an out-pattern pass in the middle of Jenaro Gilford's chest for the game-clinching interception.

- "The Blizzard Bowl" 2003: In perhaps the worst weather ever for a Holy War game, one of the most meaningless, yet often repeated of BYU's NCAA records failed to continue - consecutive games without being shutout (361). It was the latest in a string of records broken during the Gary Crowton era, mostly on the wrong end of the record. For BYU (4-7 going into the game), the game was for nothing but pride. For Utah (8-2) on the other hand, the game was for their first outright conference title in 50 years under new coach Urban Meyer. The two teams COMBINED for only 376 yards offense, and 14 punts en route to a 3-0 win for the Utes. BYU, under the direction of 4th string former scout team QB Jackson Brown, failed to score for the first time in 28 years. It was a fitting end to the worst BYU season in 33 years.

- "BCS Breakthrough" 2004: After BYU knocked at the door of the BCS a few times over the years, it had to watch as Utah became the first team from a conference without an automatic BCS bid to earn an invitation to a BCS bowl. The Utes, led by future #1 NFL draft pick (pause for laughter) Alex Smith, took it to the Cougars 52-21 to squash any lingering hopes of a winning season and bowl game. The game was the 3rd straight Utah win, marked the 3rd straight losing season for BYU, and was the final straw for beleaguered coach Gary Crowton, as he was fired 2 weeks later. The Utes claimed their 2nd MWC title in a row, and went on to cap the season undefeated with a Fiesta Bowl win over Pitt.

- Kyle vs. Bronco I Overtime 2005: After 4 ties over the years, this was the first time the rivalry ever went to overtime (OT rule added in 96), and it was the first match up in the newly dawned Kyle Whittingham & Bronco Mendenhall eras at Utah & BYU respectively. The match up held even more significance because Mendenhall only got the BYU job after Whittingham, a former BYU linebacker, turned down the job in favor of the Utah head coach job. It was an example of what goes around comes around, as Whittingham interviewed for the vacant Defensive Coordinator position at BYU two years before, when then Head Coach Gary Crowton opted for Mendenhall. With all of the coach-hiring merry-go-round fresh in the minds of fans on both sides, the Utes & Cougars went to battle. The Cougars had already assured a non-losing season & bowl eligibility for the first time in 4 years going in to the Holy War, while the Utes needed to win in order to avoid being ineligible for a bowl for the first time since the McBride era. With starting freshman QB Brian Johnson lost to injury in the previous game, the Utes turned to little-known backup QB Bret Ratliff, a JC transfer. He began making a name for himself by leading the Utes to a 24 3 lead at halftime (much of it with his feet as he rushed for 112 yards on the day). BYU came storming back in the second half behind the running of Curtis Brown (153 yds 2 TDs) and tied the game at 34 on a Jared McLaughlin FG with 4:50 to go. On the second play of overtime, Ratliff hit Travis LaTendresse for a 25 yd TD pass. The game ended when a 4th down pass from John Beck landed just out-of-reach of a diving Michael Reed. To add injury to insult, Reed broke his hand on the play. Kyle 1, Bronco 0.

- "The Closing (or Answered) Prayer" AKA "Harline is Still Open" 2006: It will be hard to top this one as the most exciting finish in the history of the rivalry. The Utes had won 4 straight over BYU in the rivalry, but came into this game in a tie for second place in the MWC with TCU, behind BYU. The Cougars had already clinched the outright conference championship in Bronco Mendenhalls second year, but one item of business remained for the team that had returned BYU to its glory days of conference championships and national rankings a win over the rival Utes. The game started with a bang as the Cougars jumped out easily to a 14-0 lead. The Utes would not go quietly however and fought back to take the lead 24-14 in the 3rd quarter. Once again, the momentum shifted as the Cougars took back the lead at 27 -24 with just over 3 minutes remaining. Ratliff, attempting to be the hero again, lead the Utes on an 83 yard drive capped with a 19 yd TD pass to Bret Im going to win the Heismann Casteel with 1:19 remaining. It seemed as though the Cougars great season would end sourly with a loss to the Utes, but future 2nd round NFL draft pick, John Beck, lead the Cougars on a 75 yard drive that reached the 11 yard line with 3 seconds left. This epic battle had come down to the last play of the game. A FG would do the Cougars no good, so it was one shot for the end zone and the game. The final 3 seconds (which actually took over 10 seconds) are etched in Holy War lore and the minds of Cougar fans forever. After looking and looking, Beck found a WIDE-open Johnny Harline for the game-winning TD. For the next year, Cougar fans relived the moment and provided Ute fans with constant reminders that Harline is still open.

- "Collie 4:18" AKA "Magic Happens" 2007: This game gets an entry in Holy Ware Lore for two reasonsone for another come-from-behind, last minute, dramatic win, and two for another infamous quote that is representative of the very essence of the Holy War. For BYU, this game was a chance to clinch its 2nd outright MWC title in a row and notch its 2nd straight victory over the Utes, providing Bronco with the tie-breaker over Kyle Whittingham. The Utes took the lead with 1:34 to go in the 4th quarter on a Darell Mack TD run. Could Sophomore BYU QB Max Hall repeat John Becks heroics of a year ago? Facing 4th and 18 from his own 12 yard line, Max Hall completed a 49 yard bomb to an open Austin Collie who had slipped behind Brice McCain. A few plays later, Harvey Unga plowed into the end zone from 11 yards out to give BYU the lead and 38 seconds later, the win. Collie, back from an LDS mission to Argentina less than a year, was asked after the game if his miraculous catch was a matter of breaks evening out luck in a game. (Earlier, Collie had a 67-yard TD catch called back due to penalty)
Collie said: "I wouldn't say it was lucky. We executed the play well. We should have had another one (TD). Obviously, if you do what's right on and off the field, I think the Lord steps in and plays a part in it. Magic happens." Few things chap a Ute fans hide (especially an LDS Ute fan) more than someone suggesting that God is on BYUs side. BYU fans, taking pleasure in the Utes complaints regarding Collies remarks, canonized the quote by referring to it as "Collie 4:18," otherwise known as "Magic Happens."

- "Quest for BCS 2008: It was perhaps the biggest game in the history of the rivalry, with the 11-0 and #8 ranked Utes hosting the 10-1 and #16 ranked Cougars. Never before had both teams been ranked this high for the Holy War. A conference championship and BCS bowl bid were on the line for both teams. The Utes could win the conference outright with a win, while BYU could force a 3 way tie for the title with the Utes & TCU. The winner would be positioned well for an automatic BCS bowl bid under the more relaxed rules for non-automatic qualifying conference teams. The stakes had never been higher. The result could not have gone better for Ute fans. Going into the season, BYU had high hopes and many media projections for its first BCS bowl and a perfect season, with the slogan Quest for Perfection printed on T-shirts. It was the Utes who would surprise all with a perfect season and run away from the Cougs 48-24. Max Hall was intercepted 5 times, which led Ute fans to don t-shirts over the next year that read "I intercepted Max Hall." Hall would leave this edition of the Holy War with hard feelings for more than just the game, as Utah fans seated around his family at Rice-Eccles Stadium were less than hospitable. Max would harbor these hard feelings for a year until

- "George is Still Running" AKA "Max hate" 2009: For the fourth time out of the last 5 games, the Holy War was decided with a score in the last minute of play. In fact, it was THE last play of the game the second time in the last 4 games that had occurred. It was also the 2nd overtime game in the history of the rivalry. After Utah kicked a field goal in their overtime possession, BYU scored the winning touchdown on their second play with a pass to Andrew George over the middle that squeezed between two defenders and found George with nothing but grass as he seemingly ran forever without a defender nearand some say he is still running free today. It was after this game that Max Hall would vent his pent up frustrations and proclaim his hatred for the rivalry (or just put in public words what many were thinking). "I dont like Utah. In fact, I hate them. I hate everything about them. I hate their program, their fans. I hate everything." One thing was made certain that day... The Holy War is not a rivalry that is "just for the fans."

-"Thud" 2010: 12 years after BYU fans celebrated "Doink", it was the Utes turn to celebrate "Thud," the sound emanating from the blocked field goal as time expired to give the Utes the win and bring the Kyle vs. Bronco series to an even 3-3. BYU which led nearly the entire game, found themselves down a point with 4 minutes and change to play. The Utes had scored to go ahead 17-16 after a controversial fumble by BYUs Brandon Bradley who had intercepted Ute QB Jordan Wynn. Replays showed Bradleys knee was down before the ball came out, but to keep the rivalry interesting, replay officials did not overturn the ruling on the field. Undeterred, the Cougars marched down the field behind true freshman QB Jake Heaps and into field goal range, taking the last timeout for the play with 4 seconds left. It would be the 3rd time in the last 5 games that the Holy War would be decided on the last play of the game. For the first time, those in red were the ones left celebrating to the sound of the "Thud."