http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/utah-beats-byu-strangest-way-possible-video-064201786--ncaaf.html

Note to would-be debaters, I said Big Game-ish.

Back on subject, the Utah game is no gimmie this year. They can still score without Wynn and they beat BYU without JW4.

The events that transpired remind more of the 1990 Big Game. Sorry for the reminder. That 1990 Big Game was otherwise one of the best football games I've witnessed in person (at Tightwad Hill no less).

BerlinerBaer;841951852 said:

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http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/utah-beats-byu-strangest-way-possible-video-064201786--ncaaf.html

Note to would-be debaters, I said Big Game-ish.

Back on subject, the Utah game is no gimmie this year. They can still score without Wynn and they beat BYU without JW4.

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KAB is accurate in characterizing the BYU-Utah ending as something more akin to the 1990 Big Game.

In the 1990 Big Game, Stanf*rd scored with 12 seconds remaining to draw within 1 point of Cal at 24-25. Stanf*rd went for the win with a 2-point conversion attempt. John Hardy picked off Jason Palumbis's pass and pandemonium reigned on the field in Berkeley, with Cal students pouring out of the stands onto the field. But the game wasn't over. And the officials flagged Cal for unsportsmanlike conduct (a 15-yard penalty) because the students rushed the field. Result: Stanf*rd tried an onside kick at midfield, that the Cardinal recovered at Cal's 37.

On the next play, John Belli was flagged for a roughing the passer call (which to this day seems like an over-reaction by Pat Flood) which brought the Cardinal 15 yards closer, to Cal's 22.

John Hopkins knocked through a 39-yard FG as time expired and Stanf*rd came away with a referee-aided 27-25 last-second Big Game win, sometimes referred to as "Stanf*rd's Revenge" (in reference to the 1982 Big Game).

But really, in what other series do you have the winning score scored on the last play in regulation four times, with each team winning twice? And all four cliffhanger games occurred in the same stadium, Cal Memorial: in 1972, 1974, 1982, and 1990. Only The Big Game gives us these thrills and chills. And only The Big Game gives the most amazing, sensational, traumatic, heart rending... exciting thrilling finish in the history of college football! (to quote a well-known radio play-by-play man).

FiatSlug;841951992 said:

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But really, in what other series do you have the winning score scored on the last play in regulation four times, with each team winning twice? And all four cliffhanger games occurred in the same stadium, Cal Memorial: in 1972, 1974, 1982, and 1990. Only The Big Game gives us these thrills and chills. And only The Big Game gives the most amazing, sensational, traumatic, heart rending... exciting thrilling finish in the history of college football! (to quote a well-known radio play-by-play man).

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I think the Tuan Van Le blocked extra point (FG?) has to be mentioned as well. It was one of if not the last play of the game and it denied us a win. If I recall correctly (and I often don't), the game occurred in the midst of a Stanford winning streak against us and I remember thinking to myself, Are we cursed, no one ever blocks a PAT. (Years later, watching the FSU game at the Stick, I learned it's not such a rarity for us.) By the way, if you remember the details of the ending of that game, feel free to keep it to yourself. I'm starting to get sick thinking about that one . . .

I watched part of the Holy War and Jon Hays looked pretty good. He was dropping back and delivering accurately. I remember a Ute fan coming on here last year saying he was a much better athlete than Wynn (stronger arm, fleeter of foot) but inaccurate and not a good QB. Maybe he's gotten better.

But I watched maybe a quarter. Anyone else with a scouting report?

MisterNoodle;841952031 said:

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I think the Tuan Van Le blocked extra point (FG?) has to be mentioned as well. It was one of if not the last play of the game and it denied us a win. If I recall correctly (and I often don't), the game occurred in the midst of a Stanford winning streak against us and I remember thinking to myself, Are we cursed, no one ever blocks a PAT. (Years later, watching the FSU game at the Stick, I learned it's not such a rarity for us.) By the way, if you remember the details of the ending of that game, feel free to keep it to yourself. I'm starting to get sick thinking about that one . . .

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The game you remember preserved a tie, the last tie in The Big Game (1988, a 19-19 tie). While the kick was from close in, it was for a field goal and the kicker (Robbie Keen) set up for the kick from the left hashmark.

I do not include it because even though the blocked FG attempt was the last play in the game, it was not a scoring play that provided the winning score; it is not a cliffhanger play.

The 19-19 score reflects a Big Game record for most field goals attempted (9) and the most field goals made (8) in a Big Game.

MisterNoodle;841952031 said:

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I think the Tuan Van Le blocked extra point (FG?) has to be mentioned as well. It was one of if not the last play of the game and it denied us a win. If I recall correctly (and I often don't), the game occurred in the midst of a Stanford winning streak against us and I remember thinking to myself, Are we cursed, no one ever blocks a PAT. (Years later, watching the FSU game at the Stick, I learned it's not such a rarity for us.) By the way, if you remember the details of the ending of that game, feel free to keep it to yourself. I'm starting to get sick thinking about that one . . .

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IIRC, TVL was untouched and given free and clear access to the kick. Our end on that play simply leaned into the tackle allowing TVL the chance to earn a spot in BG history.

FiatSlug;841952043 said:

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The game you remember preserved a tie, the last tie in The Big Game (1988, a 19-19 tie). While the kick was from close in, it was for a field goal and the kicker (Robbie Keen) set up for the kick from the left hashmark.

I do not include it because even though the blocked FG attempt was the last play in the game, it was not a scoring play that provided the winning score; it is not a cliffhanger play.

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Thanks, Fiat. You are a veritable font of factual detail. It doesn't make me feel any better, but seriously, thank you, it is appreciated! I only mentioned it because it was a game-deciding play at the very end, a "walk off" play if you will, and a rather unusual and dramatic one at that.

LIke a PAT, a FG from inside the 5 is almost never blocked from the edge, except very occasionally when the kick is from the hash, which gives the "field" side edge rusher a better angle for the block. And in college, I believe the hashes are wider than in the pros, or at least they used to be, giving Le an even better angle. Just our luck to be on the college hash.

run2win;841952055 said:

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IIRC, TVL was untouched and given free and clear access to the kick. Our end on that play simply leaned into the tackle allowing TVL the chance to earn a spot in BG history.

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If I'm not mistaken, the end (really a wingback) is taught never to let a man through the inside gap, even at the expense of letting a rusher go around the outside untouched. At the snap everyone is supposed to lean to the inside. I think TVL got a really good jump, had a really good angle, and Robbie must have pushed it out slightly to the right.

MisterNoodle;841952057 said:

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Thanks, Fiat. You are a veritable font of factual detail. It doesn't make me feel any better, but seriously, thank you, it is appreciated! I only mentioned it because it was a game-deciding play at the very end, a "walk off" play if you will, and a rather unusual and dramatic one at that.

LIke a PAT, a FG from inside the 5 is almost never blocked from the edge, except very occasionally when the kick is from the hash, which gives the "field" side edge rusher a better angle for the block. And in college, I believe the hashes are wider than in the pros, or at least they used to be, giving Le an even better angle. Just our luck to be on the college hash.

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After some hunting, I found that the NCAA moved the hash marks to their current setting of 60 feet from each sideline in 1993. Prior to 1993, the hash marks were set at 53 feet 4 inches from each sideline, which meant that the field was divided into equal thirds.

Moving the hash marks closer to the center of the field followed a narrowing of the goal post uprights in 1991. Prior to 1991, uprights were 23 feet 4 inches apart (as they would have been in 1988); the narrower distance in use today is 18 feet 6 inches and is the same as the NFL. BTW, the inside of the NFL hashmarks line up with the uprights.

Yes true but you are taught to deal with both so you can at least get a chip on the guy. I could swear the wing didn't hit anybody but I'm sure it's my frustration clouding my memory.

run2win;841952252 said:

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Yes true but you are taught to deal with both so you can at least get a chip on the guy. I could swear the wing didn't hit anybody but I'm sure it's my frustration clouding my memory.

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I suffer from the same memory clouding frustration.

KoreAmBear;841951868 said:

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The events that transpired remind more of the 1990 Big Game. Sorry for the reminder. That 1990 Big Game was otherwise one of the best football games I've witnessed in person (at Tightwad Hill no less).

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Much more like '90's big game

Terrible memories.