(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
;Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) enters the stadium as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
BYU football coach Kalani Sitake pumps up fans during the Cougar Walk, as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah players prepare to take the field as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) runs past Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Austin Lee (2) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) pulls in a pass ahead of Utah Utes defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) passes, with Utah Utes defensive tackle Leki Fotu (99) defending, as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) runs past Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Austin Lee (2) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars running back Lopini Katoa (4) is stppped as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Trajan Pili (52) celebrates a turnover as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) and Utah Utes defensive back Javelin Guidry (28) converge on Brigham Young Cougars tight end Matt Bushman (89) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) and Utah Utes defensive back Javelin Guidry (28) knock the ball out of the hands of Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Talon Shumway (21) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) looks to hand off as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) hands off to Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) brings down Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) celebrates a sack as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
The Utah sideline erupts as Utah Utes linebacker Francis Bernard (13) makes an interception and runs it for touchdown as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) celebrates a sack as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) runs the ball as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) runs the ball as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) celebrates a sack as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes linebacker Francis Bernard (13) makes a U sign to BYU Fans after scoring on an interception, as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) dives into Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes linebacker Francis Bernard (13) scores on an interception, as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes defensive end Mika Tafua (42) brings down Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) runs an interception in the end zone for a touchdown as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes defensive end Mika Tafua (42) brings down Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) celebrates a touchdown as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) runs the ball as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) signals a first down after a completion as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) runs the ball as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) scores a touchdown as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Players dive on a BYU fumble recovered by Utah as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Rain pours down on a BYU fan during a lightning delay as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham walks off the field during a lightning delay as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Rain pours down on BYU fans during a lightning delay as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Coaches Kyle Whittingham and Kalani Sitake shake hands after the game as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Friday Aug. 30, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Utes defensive back Tareke Lewis (5) celebrates nine wins in a row as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Friday Aug. 30, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Coaches Kyle Whittingham and Kalani Sitake shake hands after the game as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Friday Aug. 30, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham high-fives fans after the win, as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Friday Aug. 30, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Coaches Kyle Whittingham and Kalani Sitake shake hands after the game as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Friday Aug. 30, 2019.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah players celebrate the win as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Friday Aug. 30, 2019.
Provo
Well. That’s pretty much what everyone expected on this season-opening night at LaVell Edwards Stadium, right?
Utah beating BYU, again, for the ninth straight go-round, this time by the count of 30-12. Not even Mother Nature could prevent the inevitable thing, in the form of a lightning storm. All that did was delay/prolong the Cougars’ misery.
No big surprise. A blind man could have seen this result coming. And, sure enough, it rolled in like thunder.
The mystery was in how it would happen.
It happened on the backs of Utah’s defense, which scored two touchdowns, on two pick-six’s, and controlled the game.
The Utes started sluggishly, but swelled up to take their reward.
In doing so, they did not necessarily look like the comprehensively formidable outfit so many had predicted them to be. Quite simply, the offense has to get more consistent. But … oh, that defense.
Kyle Whittingham said beforehand he couldn’t care less how a win would look or come. He’d take it however it arrived.
It did — because it always does these days and nights in this series.
The Utes’ win tied the series’ all-time record for lopsidedness, with each side owning part of that nine-consecutive-win claim. Now, the Utes have done it twice.
Another thing Whttingham said in the run-up about the streak is that “nothing lasts forever.” It’s starting to look, though, like that may not be true. Maybe the Cougars never will beat the Utes again. Or if they ever do, perhaps by then, nobody will care anymore.
That sure is the way it seemed on Thursday night.
As usual in this rivalry, the talent differential appeared smaller than it is. There were plenty of early tight moments. But those were stretched out and finished off when a fumble on an exchange from BYU’s Zach Wilson to Ty’Son Williams deep in Cougars territory led to a Utah touchdown and a 23-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Game over.
The count was 3-3 with just more than 10 minutes left in the second quarter, back when the Cougars were feeling good, watching the Utes make mistakes — questionable play calls, penalties, bad decisions, dropped passes, ineffective on attack — and positioning themselves for a drive for the lead when Wilson scrambled around and then threw his first pick-6 to Francis Bernard, the former BYU linebacker, who returned it 58 yards for the score.
Thereafter, even with Utah’s uneven display on offense, it never was seriously threatened. An opening TD drive in the second half pushed Utah’s lead to 10 points. From there, most of BYU’s suffering came via that rugged Utah resistance — and tough running by Zack Moss.
What all of this proved is what everyone already knew — that the Utes are better than the Cougars. The problems that have led to that disparity are systemic, running all the way to the top at BYU, a topic for another time.
Nobody on the Cougars’ side wanted to think about that, but it’s a point of fact.
What will change the divergent paths of these teams is unknown, and, frankly, at this juncture, unexpected. The Utes, if they get themselves wholly sorted out, are on their way to competing for another Pac-12 South title, and maybe a league championship, along with a potential Rose Bowl berth.
The Cougars are on their way to facing Tennessee, USC and Washington. And thereafter, more teams they will be fortunate to beat.
They are nobody’s slouches. The Cougars are decent. They had their moments, just not enough of them to finish. Sort of hanging in against their rival wasn’t what the Cougars had in mind.
Utah, conversely, handled its business with a set jaw and then a yawn, walking away after a 54-minute lightning delay, like a collection of construction workers who had just laid the concrete they were paid to put down.
You could almost see crimson bandanas hanging out the back of their jeans pockets as they left the field.
Their job was done, same as it ever was, and so was their opponent.
GORDON MONSON hosts “The Big Show” with Jake Scott weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on 97.5 FM and 1280 AM The Zone.