A Tale of Two Seasons: Part VII of XIII

The Utes played with fire this year, but thankfully didn't get burned.

More than ever I wished this year's Utes were the same team as last year. But all of my heartfelt appeals to a merciful football God will not pull off the impossible. They're like the child you wish paid a little bit of attention to you and actually cleaned his/her room once in a while, but no matter what you still love them.

As the team warmed up in War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyom., the skies were clear, the temperatures low and the wind blowing as everyone kept an eye to the west, praying an incoming snowstorm would wait until after the game to arrive.
Utah jumped out to an early lead against the University of Wyoming as Sean Smith snagged an interception and pushed it back 25 yards to score. The Utes never looked back, getting up by 34 points in the 3rd quarter and finishing the game with a 40-7 win. Just the thing to give fans the confidence that their team was great…but not really…
The offense accounted for two touchdowns and two field goals for 20 points; the other 20 came from the defense and special teams. The Cowboys' offense outgained the Utes, which gave me an uneasy feeling out on the field. If a 2-5 Wyoming team can perform better then a 7-0 team, what does that really say about the Utes? But that is how the Utes are, and I love/hate them for it.
As we left the stadium, it was obvious the storm was minutes away, but we had made the decision to go right home instead of staying another night in Laramie. Bad mistake. It proved to be hell as we nearly froze in my dad's tan Ford Taurus on Interstate 80, waiting and waiting and waiting to move. Ever tried walking on solid ice? Ever tried driving on it? But as bad as the drive was, it gave me the best non-football picture of the season as Tony Pizza, our sports editor, made a snow angel in the middle of the interstate.
Wyoming sucked, but since it's Wyoming, what else could I have expected?

This year we didn't have any travel issues because we played Air Force at home, and compared to Wyoming the weather was nice—I'll take rain over snow any day. But the story was similar with the Falcons' offense gaining more yards and controlling the ball most of the game. However, the Utes came out on top after the first OT.
It was an unnerving game to watch, but to be honest; we always have problems with Air Force. If the team can put together a good offensive and defensive game against Wyoming this year, then I might be able to sleep at night.
That being said, I bet the Utes win by less then 10. If you're an avid fan like I am, you just know these things. The team frustrates the Hell out of me, but in the end, they pull through.

A Tale of Two Seasons: Part VI of XIII

This year Utah kickers have had big shoes to fill.

Often kickers don’t get respect from players or fans because they only serve one seemingly small purpose, but Louie Sakoda was a star on campus. In week 6 of 2008, Louie became a legend as he kicked the final 3 points that gave Utah a last-second win over Oregon State.
As I have said, Utah fans kept a careful eye on the Beavers as they knocked off USC the week before. And with an 8-point lead and 2 minutes left in the game, it looked like the Utes would be the second-ranked team to fall to the Beavers in as many weeks.
I remember standing on the sideline thinking, "Well, it was a good run, but it's over." And some fans clearly felt the same way as they started to move toward the exits. It had crossed my mind to leave early too because it was a Thursday night. I had to edit photos quicker than I do on a Saturday. Had I left early, I would have missed a magical evening.
Brian Johnson and the offence took the ball at their 40 and started the drive that ended with a pass to Godfrey for a touchdown. Excitement started to build, but Utah still needed the 2-point conversion to tie. All our wildest hopes came true as Johnson went to the right and scored—bringing the game to a tie—and the stadium erupted in cheers!
That momentum carried over to the defense and even I began to think they could pull off a win. After forcing a three and out, Utah got the ball with just over a minute left. Brian Johnson picked up right where he had left off, moving the ball down to the 20-yardline and setting up a 37-yard field goal attempt with 2 seconds left on the clock.

Fans at Rice-Eccles held their breath as the ball was snapped, placed on the ground and Louie kicked it through the up-rights.
I had just 5 seconds to get a picture of Louie before he was surrounded by teammates, and I was bombarded by fans running onto the field.
The joy in the air that night felt like it could not be matched again. Little did we know that was just a small taste of what the team had to offer.

Fast forward to this year, and there was no way of matching the win over Oregon State as the Utes faced UNLV, where, short of an ass-kicking, it was going to be a disappointing game. There was some excitement for Utah fans as No. 17 continued to impress us with another Interception and a fumble recovery for a TD.
The team looked good against the Rebels, winning by 20 in front of a crowd that had about as many Utah fans as UNLV fans. A lot of the Utah fans were friends and family of players like Devonte Christopher, Sly and Eddie Wide, who broke off a big run for one of his longest TD runs of the year.
Next up, the Utes need a good start to the second half of the season, which will likely be the harder half. It starts with Air Force—a tough game we could lose if we're not careful.

A Tale of Two Seasons: Part V of XIII

I thought the Utes were going to lose to Air Force. I thought the Utes were going to lose to TCU. I thought the Utes were going to lose to Alabama. And this year, I was sure the Utes were going to lose to Colorado State.

I need to stop assuming the worst.
Every year I walk into the stadium carrying enough camera equipment to make a football player struggle, and at some point during the game the same line pops into my head, "We're fuckin' going to lose."

By the 3rd quarter I had watched the Utes fumble the ball multiple times. Colorado State was ahead 14 points. Just like the Little Engine that could, I thought the Utes had it in them to make a come back, but they needed something. That something arrived later in the 3rd quarter when the quarterback threw the first of 3 interceptions to Robert Johnson.

But that stuff happens every year. The Utes are always surprising me. Just when I think I know what the team will do, I'm reminded that anything can happen, including amazing wins against TCU and Alabama.

And at the same time, they've also had some lackluster wins. Like last year, the Utes faced Weber State—a Division II school, which means we should have kicked their asses back to last week but instead won with a 16-point margin.
A homecoming win over Ron McBride and the Wildcats was good because as any coach will tell you, a win is a win. Put into context, that win looked like a loss.
I was actually more worried about Oregon State. Two nights before the Weber State game, I watched as the Beavers beat No.1 USC. It made me wonder what would happen to the Utes when they entered Rice-Eccles Stadium next week.

To ease my mind, I was looking forward to a beat down of Weber State to show that our beloved team was who we knew (hoped) they were. They were able to put together a good half before giving up late touchdowns that left us with the opposite feeling.
This year, we had grim hopes as Colorado State seemed to be treating their alum to a homecoming win. But on that frigid October night, Utes fans got to see just how good Robert Johnson could be.
Despite being down 14 points, it felt that Utah was close to getting back in the game. They just needed that spark to get them going. That's when Johnson stepped up and got a pick. The offence went on to score, and then Johnson helped them seal the win with two more.
At the end of the game I went to get shots of RoJo. He was exchanging words with some Ram fans and said one of the best lines I have ever heard. He told the fans, “Go home. Just go home. You're going home with the L because No. 17 said so.” Then he ran off to celebrate with the team.
The team then prepared to go to Vegas the next week where the temperatures are sure to be at least 50 to 60 degrees warmer then the 24 it was in Fort Collins. Woohoo for LV!