By Joseph Simmons
John Beck knew just what to do.
The pass was eerily similar to the one that hit the ground in overtime about a year ago, but with one important difference - tight end Jonny Harline cradled Beck''s pass as time expired for the game-winning catch.
With the catch, the Cougars defeated Utah 33-31 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, ending a four-year losing streak against their in-state rival.
'I''ve invested my entire life to make it in moments like this,' Beck said after the game. 'It''s been tough because, over the last four years, we''ve been criticized for not making big plays when it counts. I guess that''s over now because we did it.'
The Cougars exploded quickly in the start of the game and scored on their first drive, going more than 80 yards for the touchdown.
Things continued the Cougars'' way, as Harline caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Beck with 6:48 left in the first, putting BYU ahead 14-0. For the next 39 minutes however, it would be all Utes.
In what proved to be the shift of momentum the Utes needed, Ute punter Louis Sakoda picked up a first down on a fake punt. That play set up an 18-yard touchdown pass from Eric Weddle to Brent Casteel. The Cougars, who anticipated a run with Weddle at quarterback, left Casteel wide open to make the play.
Sakoda struck again when he made a short field goal as time expired in the second quarter. The Cougars went into halftime up 14-10, but everyone in the stands knew Utah had all the momentum.
Cougar uneasiness blossomed in to outright worry, when the Utes went up 17-14 after Marquis Wilson scored on a 57-yard pass from Brett Ratliff.
The Utes scored again just before the end of the third quarter; however, on the following drive, the Y offense again showed signs of life.
Harline scored his second touchdown of the day just minutes into the fourth quarter, but the extra point attempt was blocked, keeping the Cougars from gaining back full momentum.
After struggling back and forth for a few drives, the Cougars scored another touchdown and took the lead with only 3:23 left in the game. Tight end Daniel Coats, who caught six passes for 80 yards on the day, caught the pass.
The Cougars held a 27-24 lead, but Brett Ratliff led the Utes down the field with poise for a go-ahead touchdown, only 1:19 left on the clock.
At this point, the stage was set for the Cougars to execute the drive that Cougar fans had been waiting for. Coach Bronco Mendenhall saw it as the perfect opportunity.
'If I were to have scripted a drive to define development and leadership, that would be it,' Mendenhall said.
With the mettle of BYU greats, Beck led the Cougars down the field with pinpoint passes, ending the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Harline mere seconds before time expired.
Ute fans realized that all of their insipid trash talking was in vain as the scoreboard flashed all zeroes and a diving Harline caught Beck''s pass, skidding across the endzone on his knees.
'In the huddle, right at the end, told me that when he threw it up to make a play on it,' Harline said. 'I told him I would.'