PROVO — Few, if any, games in the rivalry could match this one.
Utah's 41-34 overtime victory over BYU Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium had a little bit of everything—momentum swings, a "circus" defense and bonus play.
And that's not all. The underdogs Utes secure bowl eligibility by pulling out a bag of tricks that included an untested quarterback coming of age and defensive back Eric Weddle being inserted at both quarterback and punter at times.
"It's the sweetest victory I've ever been a part of," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "I could not be more proud of a football team."
The Utes got off to a quick start as Quarterback Brett Ratliff made an immediate impact for the Utes. In his debut as a starter (in place of the injured Brian Johnson), the junior college transfer's first two drives ended with touchdown passes – a three-yard strike to Brian Hernandez and a 15-yarder to Chad Jacobsen. Suddenly, less than 10 minutes into the game, the Utes had a 14-0 lead.
"I can't say enough about that kid [Ratliff]," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "What a gutsy performance. "He ran the offense like he'd been doing it all year long."
Ratliff completed 17-of-32 passes for 240 yards. He also rushed for 112 yards and a score.
"We didn't have much to help prepare for Ratliff, "said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall, "and had to make adjustments in the beginning once we found he was a scrambling threat."
BYU's lone score in the first half came on a 31-yard field goal by Jared McLaughlin with 19 seconds to go in the first quarter. Midway through the second, Beardall matched it with a 35-yard kick to set a new school-record with his 12th consecutive make.
The 17-3 score remained intact until BYU committed the game’s only turnover late in the second quarter. While BYU running back Fahu Tahi was struggling to gain a few extra yards, Casey Evans stripped the ball loose for the Utes. Evans scooped it up, ran 30 yards and set up another Ute score—a four-yard touchdown run by Ratliff. The play capped all scoring in the first half as Utah held a 24-3 advantage.
"We did not execute with precision or composure in the first half," Mendenhall said. "The second half was a different rhythm and it showed."
Trailing by 21 points in the second half, BYU mounted a rally that eventually tied the score by the end of regulation. The Cougars clawed back into contention with a pair of touchdown runs by Curtis Brown. His first trip across the goal line came from five yards out after bouncing off a couple of Ute defenders. The second was a 64-yard run just over one minute later.
With its lead cut to 24-17, Utah fired back with an improbable drive downfield. The Utes fended off five penalties before Ratliff teamed with Brian Hernandez on a 45-yard touchdown pass.
The score, along with a 44-yard field goal by Beardall early in the final quarter, proved critical.
BYU gnawed at the deficit—producing a 13-yard TD pass from John Beck to Todd Watkins before Beardall's kick and two more scores after it. A 28-yard scoring strike from Beck to Matt Allen preceded a game-tying 27-yard field goal by McLaughlin.
In the end, though, it was the game’s conclusion that stole the spotlight for the Utes. The game-winning score came on the second play of overtime when Utah receiver Travis LaTendresse hauled in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Ratliff.
"It was a play we practiced on all week. I have a choice of going inside or outside depending on coverage," LaTendresse said. "Rat just put the ball on the money. That guy came in, stepped up and played the best of his life."
BYU's chance to counter floundered with two short runs and a pair of incomplete passes. On the final play, the Utes threw a "circus" defense at the Cougars, featuring ten defenders dropping back into pass coverage while only one man rushed the passer. With no to throw the ball to, Beck lobbed a desperation pass into the endzone. It fluttered to the ground with receiver Michael Reed making an unsuccessful dive to catch it
."To feel confident and have the momentum shift in your favor and not win is a huge sway of emotions," Beck said after completing 27-of-47 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. "I believed all the way we were going to win because I believe in our guys."
"Give credit to Utah, they played solid. This was a hard-fought game that came down to one play," said Mendenhall. " . . . Two teams fought. Two teams competed. Two team laid it on the line. What else can you want from an instate rivalry?"
At 6-5, BYU is pretty much assured of going bowling — though the Las Vegas Bowl representative left town without issuing an official invitation. Meanwhile, the Utes (also 6-5) will now await a future that could involve a bowl invitation.
"We hope so. We think we might have a shot to get one more [game]," Whittingham said. "I've got a feeling that we might be going somewhere."
© 2005 Deseret Morning News Publishing Co