Monday, November 24, 2008

UTAH 48, BYU 24

Well it was a great game if you are a Utah fan. BYU has always managed to beat Utah in the last few minutes of the game but not on Saturday.

Our family is split. Mom and Dad are Utah graduates but 15 of the 16 kids who attended college all graduated from the "Y". In fact I believe we have 18 or 19 degrees from the "Y" among that group so the feelings are intense. I guess we should cheer them on as well but I just can't.

We were invited guest in the box next to the President's box on the 50 yard line. Seats were going for outrageous sums and scalpers were all over. There were some interesting people there again. Elder Wirthlin was there... the GA's all wore blue blazers and a red tie .. a down the middle approach. Pres. Uchtdorf and his wife were there.. there were two senators from Utah in the President's box. Elder Ballard and his wife were in our box and the Governor showed up as well. Jon H. and his wife were there right after he received a medal of honor from the American Cancer Society for his support of cancer research and treatment. It was an interesting group. Cheryl and Paul have seats in the stadium but they always come up to the box which was fun.

The game was pretty even in the first half with Utah demonstrating the most momentum. In the second half, something happened to the "Y" quarterback who began to throw interceptions.

There were five interceptions and one BYU fumble that added 28 points as the U capitalized on those turnovers. One pass was intercepted by a U player from Orem who looked like he would run it into the endzone but from up high, it looked like he tripped on the 10 yard chalk line. Paul Jr and his friend joined the storm on the field. Paul asked this player how it felt to almost score a touchdown on an interception and he said it was good except he tripped over his feet.

I began to feel a little bad for the Quarterback but not enough to stop jumping for joy as the Utes finally trounced BYU.

Becca had a Y party going on at her house with Emily, Doug, some of Al's kids, some of Cheryl's girls and it was quiet there at the end. I rubbed it in a little with Doug but finally stopped as the pain was palpable over the phone.

Utah received a whole pile of money for the win. There were also these big guys dressed in orange blazers who were up there... scouts from the Orange Bowl.

Well I found that whole thing pretty exciting and what a Saturday.

Alles Gute, Opa

8 comments:

sunshine family said...

Dad -

Although the Utes dismantled BYU's passing attack, I still think the Utes are the luckiest team in America - barely beating Oregon St., TCU, and Michigan. You should enjoy this victory while you can b/c it will be fun to see the Utes get crushed by Oklahoma or Alabama in the Sugar or Orange bowl. I secretly came to Florida so I could have viable team to rout for UNLIKE BYU which is a constant disappointment year after year. GO GATORS!!!

John

Mommymita said...

I went to BYU but never went to even one game. I'm really not into football.... even Michigan. I just feel bad when a losing game ruins a perfectly good weekend.

Dad Wirthlin said...

Ah John... they beat all those teams and did so consistently..mayber they were lucky but I am looking forward to the bowl games.

We bought a HD television and will have HD Dish. Our old big TV from 15-20 years ago died and can't wait to see the games.

Rachel said...

Grandpa you are so silly! I don't understand why you don't like BYU! I think that our quarterback was just under too much pressure. I think it is fun that you get to sit by presidents of the church!

Mommily said...

Dad --BYU may have lost, but watching the game at Becca's was fun and the food, especially the homemade donuts were awesome.

Paul said...

John - Mr Bandwagon - Don't drink too much of that SEC cool aid. Didn't you see Wyoming dismantle Tennessee!?! Utah does not have the dynamic offense of 2004, but they do have a much better defense. They were the only team in America with TWO mid season first team ALL-AMERICANS. As Urban Meyer likes to say - the only difference between Utah and Florida is depth and schedule. Utah would struggle offensively against Oklahoma but would be very competitive with Alabama. Don't forget what Boise State did against Oklahoma two years ago. Remember the Statue of Liberty? Enjoy the success in Florida - Urban will be off to Notre Dame in the next year or two.

Dad Wirthlin said...

Hi Rachel... I like BYU but I guess when they play Utah, I am an old Utah fan and alum and would never cheer BYU against Utah.. I might cheer them against other teams but not muy old Alma Mater of 53 years ago.

Quaterbacks are not supposed to cave in under pressure... like a surgeon is not supposed to cave in under surgical pressure.. separates the men from the boys.

John..yeah to what Paul said.

Al has had too many crummy weekends this year after the way Michigan played.

I guess this stuff runs deep

Love OPA

Mary said...

Mark was happy about the win too. He said he dreamt about the game over and over!

BYU fans should be grateful to the U because they are bringing more money to the division.