RIVALRY. This is a strong word. This word has defined seasons, made unknown players become known and even the so called "underdogs" show their fearsome bite. Rivalries have the potential to be called the game of the season, iconic and even legendary. These are the games that people look back on and say, "I remember where I was that day." These are the games that grandparents tell their grand kids about.
On Saturday November 27, 2010 a rivalry continued. This rivalry divides the state of Utah. It separates families for this one after noon. It even goes as far as creating anger within a religion that accounts for over half the population of Utah. The University of Utah has been ranked since week two of the 2010 college football season and BYU has struggled this season to become a powerhouse in the Mountain West Conference. These two statistics meant nothing that Saturday with below freezing temperatures and snow covered bleachers. In a rivalry game, for some unknown reason, records go out the window, hatred takes over and teams collide on an even playing field. The game between Utah and BYU in 2010 certainly lived up to all the hype that a rivalry game is supposed to have.
Utah, normally a high scoring team was shutout for three quarters of the game. BYU was averaging over 160 yards rushing before this game. Utah held them under 75 yards on the ground. BYU threw the ball without skipping a beat in the first three quarters. Unfortunately there are four quarters in a football game. On Utah's first play of the fourth quarter Utah kicked a field goal to score their first points. From that point on it was all Utah. Fumbles, blown punts and even a controversial call went in favor of Utah. Utah fans were screaming vulgarities for three straight quarters and in the fourth quarter as the temperature dropped and the winds blew in the stadium the vulgarities blew out and the uproars began.
Utah scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and BYU was held to only a field goal. After14 minutes and 58 seconds and a blown timeout by Utah, BYU was lined up to kick the winning field goal. The crowd grew louder as the ball was about to be snapped. The snap was good, the hold was good and the kick got off. All this happened within a split second. Simultaneously around the right side of the BYU offensive line, an unblocked Utah player, number 27 (Burton) darted towards the ball. As he was diving towards the ball I wonder if Burton realized that his name was about to be etched into history? Did he know that on his final game, a rivalry game between two teams that hate each other, he was about to become a legend? The ball is blocked and the stadium erupted. UTAH WINS! Fans stormed the field, hoisted players up onto their shoulders and shed tears of joy.
Yes rivalry games bring out the best of both teams. They create memories and leave us with lasting impressions for fans of both sides. This past game proved that even in the bitterest of climates one team can dig deeper than they thought possible and do something amazing. At least for this year, Utah will hold with them for the next 365 days the one thing that means most, bragging rights. I was proud to be at that game and will never forget the explosion of cheers that occurred when the field goal was blocked. Just as Montana to Clark is known as the "Catch," this play will be known as the "BLOCK." GO UTES!!!!!!!
