A Tale of Two Seasons: Part III of XIII

I walked into Autzen Stadium still deluding myself that the Utes had a chance at the BCS. Nothing could be further from the truth.

It’s true; they had shown questionable playing skills the last two games, still managing to scrape through with wins. But like all die-hard Utes fans, I still hoped they would pull through. However, when Terrence Cain threw an interception to the Ducks in the last few minutes of the 4^th quarter, I felt empty. After watching our team’s mediocre performance the entire game, there was no desire to beat up the Ducks’ quarterback, just desolation. The 16-game winning streak was over.

Remembering back to 2008, I went to every game but one: the third game. Ironically enough, the Utes game against Utah State was the one I missed…for a game at the y of all things. Can you believe it? A staunch Utes fan like myself missing a game for an inferior rival team (who I might add we beat in a blowout game last year)? But the chance to work with the Sports Illustrated photographer Bill Frakes—a once in a lifetime opportunity for an upcoming sports photographer—was too sweet a temptation to pass up.

Since I started taking sports photos as a mitigating factor against the slim chances I had of playing them professionally, I have dreamed of working at SI. I learned a lot from Bill, even though I spent the day watching the y beat UCLA in a blow out (never a positive experience) and carrying around extra cameras and lenses.

As I drove back to the airport and Bill slept, I turned the radio on to the Utes game and the fan inside of me started wishing I could be in Logan with the team. Lennie Mahler took my place at the game that ended up being a blowout for Utah— just as I had expected.

But this year did not go as well. Last week was the first time I had ever gone to Oregon. I drove more than 24 hours roundtrip and barely made it in time for the game. Driving through Oregon and Idaho was a tiring (and boring) experience, and I arrived with a sore butt. Oregon drivers can’t merge at all from what I saw, so we lost an extra hour of the trip. We passed the time by making up headlines for what a game with the South Carolina Game Cocks playing the Oregon State Beavers would be.

We arrived at the stadium just as players were being announced, but by the time we parked and my camera equipment was set up, I had missed the kickoff. Jostling my way to the field was the first of many horrific moments as I watched the Utes punt the ball and the Ducks take it to the house for six. It took away almost all confidence I had for that game.

Nonetheless, the Utes had pulled through in worse straits, including the brilliant game against TCU last year. And scoring 14 points in 17 seconds left Autzen stadium in stunned silence—a nice change if you’ve ever been in that ear-destroying stadium. It makes 54,000 fans sound like 150,000.

But instead of intercepting the ball like we had done against BYU so many times in the past that had me applauding their quarterback with atypical love and affection for his red colors showing forth, our beloved team gave the ball up in the last few minutes.

I watched as the Utes walked off the field as if they had just watched a puppy hanging by its neck from a tree, all bloody and beaten.

Then I noticed as Ducks fans started acting all high and mighty to their Utah counterparts. Beating an undefeated team like the Utes would be an exhilarating feeling, especially compared to wins against Idaho State. But don’t get too comfortable Ducks; you won’t be having any more of those ‘lucky’ wins. The Utes obviously weren’t at their best.

It was an unfortunate end to an amazing undefeated period, but I still hold true to the fact that the Utes have an amazing season left in them. Yes, Terrence Cain let down hopes that he was ‘able,’ but that doesn’t mean the season is over. For the rest of it, I will be out there on the field or in the stands with a beer in my hand, watching and hoping to see the Utes show their true colors once again. And if they don’t, that’s what the beer is for.

A Tale of Two Seasons: Part II of XIII

Fans watched from the stands or thousands of miles away as the Utes marched onto the Spartan field, expecting them to wipe the floor with San Jose players. And 60 minutes later, the Utes marched off the field winners—but the victory was hollow.

The Utes have faced challenges before. When they competed against conference foe UNLV in game two of 2008, our beloved team couldn’t score in the first quarter. The Rebels had embarrassed the Utes in Las Vegas in 07—leaving a bitter memory for staunch Utah fans, myself included. That year still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The Utes had just shutout UCLA, and then went to Las Vegas where the tables turned.

So coming home after Michigan last year, Utah was looking for vengeance against UNLV. After tying the game by halftime, the Utes finally got their act together and scored four touchdowns—leaving the stadium with a 42-21 win over the team that had humiliated them the year before. Fans walked a little taller that day, ready to take on Utah State the next game.

But last week, Utah left with insecurity, not pride.

I walked into the stadium last Saturday expecting an easy victory. Although the Utes played less than exemplary their first game, I was sure the interceptions and fumbles would be cleaned up by week two. Instead, the same fumbles and missed kicks replayed over and over like a bad sitcom. Where was the former glory of the Utes who time and time again made the Mountain West Conference proud?

This was the team’s first road game, where they had to pass through a sea of San Jose fans that were yelling every insult known to mankind. Utah fans were not immune to taunts either as Spartans berated passing Utes each time blue and yellow came across red. At one point in the game, I looked up and saw a big hole in the student section where security was rushing to break up a fight.

Utah did show promise in their first drive as they marched down the field. Matt Asiata offered a glimmer of hope as he punched it in on the 4^th down.

The team played well enough in the second half to pull out a win, but it left fans with an uneasy feeling. MUSS tickets sold out before school even started as excited fans didn’t want to miss a single play of a potentially amazing season. And now fans are valiantly hoping for the Utes to demonstrate their currently hidden talent, but it remains to be seen whether this will occur.

Next week, your roving photographer and blogger will travel to Oregon and walk into Autzen Stadium hoping for the best along with thousands of other Utah fans. Utes—make us proud.

*The photos from the 2008 UNLV vs Utah game were taken by Lennie Mahler, Thien Sok and Lucas Isley.