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Whenever Utah cornerback Brandon Burton is out and about in public and is recognized by a Utah fan, inevitably it seems he gets a request to shake hands.

Fans do it not just because it is a customary greeting, but to touch a little bit of Utah football history. They want to shake the hand that beat BYU.

With his last-second block against BYU to give the Utes a 17-16 win in the regular season finale, Burton has gone from a corner getting mixed reviews to being the guy with the golden touch.

"Everyone wants to shake the hand," Burton said. "Whenever I am out in the community, it's been crazy and you get mauled everywhere you go. But it was a great win for us."

It was a great play for Burton too, whose charge around the left side to block Mitch Payne's 42-yard field-goal attempt not only gave the Utes their second win in three years over the Cougars, but also helped clinch a Las Vegas Bowl berth against Boise State.

In case you were wondering, he blocked the ball mainly with his left hand, getting so much palm on the ball that he thought for a while afterward he had broken a bone or suffered an injury in doing so.

The pain, thankfully, dissipated quicker than the good feelings that came with the play.

"It was a huge play in a huge game," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "Some guys have a knack for making big plays and Brandon is one of those guys."

Burton, who earned second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors, knows that his celebrity status could be fleeting. If he and fellow corner Lamar Chapman allow Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore to light up the Utes in next week's Las Vegas Bowl, he'll go back to being a target for Utah fans' ire instead of their compliments.

"That is how it is at corner," he said. "Either everybody hates you because you can't cover anybody or you make a big play and everyone loves you."

Utah's secondary received some criticism after the TCU and San Diego State games, in which the Utes gave up 381 and 528 passing yards, respectively. But Burton believes the Utes can keep Moore in check, although he acknowledges he and Chapman have huge responsibilities in the level of success given Utah's penchant for man coverage.

"We're on an island," he said. "If our man is open, our defense can't win. That is the way we play. It's tough on the corners but I relish it."

Being so exposed has made Burton a better football player, he said. Last year as a sophomore Burton had trouble adjusting to the speed of the game. He had a better idea of what was expected of him this year. He has eight pass breakup this year, giving him 18 for his career which ranks ninth-best at Utah. He also has 46 tackles and a forced fumble.

His play has been good enough for Whittingham to believe he will follow other members of Utah's secondary into the pros.

"It's the toughest position to play, without a doubt," Whittingham said. "If you mess up, everyone in the stadium knows so you have to have a short memory and be competitive. He has the physical tools and the speed and quickness and strength. It's a demanding position."

No matter what happens in the bowl game or in the future, Burton will at least have "The Block" on his résumé, which is destined to be linked to the rivalry game forever. It's not a bad rep to have, he said.

"It has been crazy, but it feels great," he said. "It was a great win but I want to keep it going until the bowl game."

It's kind of appropriate that Burton's play got the Utes to Vegas. Is there any better place to have a lucky hand?

lwodraska@sltrib.com Twitter: @sltributes, @lyawodraska —

Burton file

• 6-foot, 185-pound junior cornerback.

• Second-team All-MWC player.

• Has eight pass breakups and 46 tackles this year.

• Has two interceptions and a forced fumble. —

Las Vegas Bowl

P Boise State vs. Utah

Wednesday, Dec. 22, 6 p.m.

TV • ESPN

Tickets • Visit http://www.utahtickets.com or call 801-581-UTIX (8849).