BYU-Utah: Which running back had the best game? How about QB? A look at the top performances by unit in the rivalry's history
(Trent Nelson | Tribune File Photo) BYU receiver McKay Jacobson (6) is tackled by Utah Utes linebacker Matt Martinez (52) as the Utes face BYU in the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium Saturday, November 27, 2010.
(Trent Nelson | Tribune File Photo) BYU running back Bryan Kariya (33) carries the ball as Utah Utes linebacker Matt Martinez #52 dives in for a tackle at Rice-Eccles Stadium Saturday, November 27, 2010.
(Chris Detrick | Tribune File Photo) Utah Utes kicker Andy Phillips (39) misses a field goal during the second half game at the The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Saturday October 26, 2013. USC won the game 19-3.
(Rick Egan | Tribune File Photo) Utah Utes kicker Andy Phillips (39) poses with his missionary buddy, Kyle Carlson, Ogden, BYU faced The University of Utah game, at Lavell Edwards Stadium, Saturday, September 21, 2013. Phillips and Carlson served in Norway together.
(Chris Detrick | Tribune File Photo) Utah Utes linebacker Chaz Walker #32 celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of the Maaco Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium Wednesday December 22, 2010. Boise State won the game 26-3.
(Chris Detrick | Tribune File Photo) Utah Utes linebacker Chaz Walker #32 tackles Boise State Broncos running back Jeremy Avery #27 during the first half of the Maaco Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium Wednesday December 22, 2010. Boise State is winning the game 16-3.
(Steve Griffin | Tribune File Photo) Utah Utes kicker Andy Phillips (39) practices prior to kickoff in the University of Utah versus University of Arizona football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ Saturday, October 19, 2013.
BYU wide receiver McKay Jacobson, right, can't get away from Utah linebacker Matt Martinez (52) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart)
(Courtesy BYU) Larry Moore earned all-Western Athletic Conference honors during his two seasons at BYU.
(Courtesy BYU) Larry Moore earned all-Western Athletic Conference honors during his two seasons at BYU.
(Courtesy University of Utah) Utah quarterback Mike McCoy threw for 3,860 yards and 21 touchdowns during the 1993 season.
Brigham Young wide receiver Zac Collie (85) is tackled by Tulsa's Nick Graham during the third quarter of a college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006, in Provo, Utah. BYU beat Tulsa 49-24. (AP Photo/George Frey)
Brigham Young wide receiver McKay Jacobson (80) takes the ball 77 yards on a punt-return for a touchdown against Wyoming as wide receiver Bryce Mahuika (2) watches during the fourth quarter of their college football game Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006, in Provo, Utah. BYU beat Wyoming, 55-7. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Brigham Young tight end Jonny Harline (13) waits for the ball to score the winning touchdown against Utah during the fourth quarter of their college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006, in Salt Lake City. BYU beat Utah, 33-31. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Brigham Young tight end Jonny Harline (13) celebrates one of his touchdown catches against Utah during the fourth quarter of their college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006, in Salt Lake City. Harline had 118 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns for the day. BYU beat Utah, 33-31. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Brigham Young players pile on tight end Jonny Harline (13) after his winning touchdown catch after as time ran out to beat Utah 33-31 in 2006. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Brigham Young tight end Jonny Harline (13) hauls in the pass for a touchdown against Utah during the first quarter of their college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
(Courtesy University of Utah) Marquess Ledbetter finished the 2005 season with five sacks.
So in keeping in the spirit of preparation for the latest chapter in the BYU vs. Utah rivalry, here is a look back at the best performances by each unit over the history of the rivalry.
Offensive line
(Courtesy BYU) Larry Moore earned all-Western Athletic Conference honors during his two seasons at BYU.
BYU in 1996 • Larry Moore, a guard who would play eight seasons in the NFL, anchored a line that paved the way for BYU’s 366 yards rushing on 63 attempts in a 37-17 win.
Running back
(Jaren Wilkey/BYU) BYU running back Luke Staley runs for yards against Utah during their game in 2001.
BYU’s Luke Staley in 2001 • The Doak Walker Award winner gained 169 yards on just 17 carries and ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns after unbeaten BYU trailed 21-10. His efforts helped the Cougars rally for a 24-21 win.
Quarterback
(Courtesy University of Utah) Utah quarterback Mike McCoy threw for 3,860 yards and 21 touchdowns during the 1993 season.
Utah’s Mike McCoy in 1993 • In the first of his two consecutive 34-31 victories in the rivalry, McCoy completed 29 of 47 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns as Utah won in Provo for the first time in 22 years.
Receivers
Jonny Harline catches the winning touchdown for BYU , on the last play of the game, in football action BYU vs Utah at Rices-Eccles Stadium.
BYU in 2006 • Tight ends Jonny Harline and Daniel Coats combined for 13 catches for 198 yards, including Harline’s winning touchdown in a 33-31 victory. Zac Collie, Bryce Mahuika and McKay Jacobson also had multiple catches.
Defensive line
(Courtesy University of Utah) Lewis Powell helped the Utes win the Mountain West title in 2003.
Utah in 2003 • With Sione Pouha, Lewis Powell and Marquess Ledbetter leading the way, Utah held BYU to 156 total yards in a 3-0 win, Utah’s only shutout in the rivalry’s modern era.
Linebackers
BYU wide receiver McKay Jacobson, right, can't get away from Utah linebacker Matt Martinez (52) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart)
Utah in 2010 • Matt Martinez and Chaz Walker were involved in 31 total tackles as the Utes held BYU under 300 total yards in a 17-16 victory.
Defensive backs
BYU in 1972 • Utah’s two quarterbacks combined for 4-for-22 passing with four interceptions. Dave Atkinson had two interceptions and Craig Crompton and George Gourley added one each, with Gourley’s 24-yard touchdown return clinching a 16-7 win.
Special teams
Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune
Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Remington Peck (44) nearly bucks a punt by Utah Utes punter Tom Hackett, as BYU faced The University of Utah, at Lavell Edwards Stadium, Saturday, September 21, 2013.
Utah in 2013 • Andy Phillips kicked two field goals and Tom Hackett averaged 44.2 yards on 11 punts in the Utes’ 20-13 victory.
