ALTHOUGH THE Ute football team spent the last two weekends watching opposing teams tear down the goalposts, it isn't the first time it's happened. Fifty-two years ago, the University of Utah provided BYU the same opportunity. When BYU won its first game ever against the Utes, in 1942, Cougar fans at Rice Stadium charged onto the field and attempted to tear down the Ute goalposts. A meelee ensued, and Cougar fans only got away with portions of the posts.
Hoping to calm things down, the Ute band began playing the National Anthem. Though the song did serve to freeze the police at attention, it did little to stop fans still milling around the field.
The celebrating continued for two more days. Sunday's Provo Daily Herald ran a banner headline on the front page - above headlines saying, ``U.S. Destroys 48 German Planes in Mass Attack'' and ``Senate Enacts Biggest Tax Bill in U.S. History.''
The following Monday was proclaimed an official day of celebration by the mayor of Provo.
© 1994 Deseret News Publishing Co.