Ah, memories...

by JazzyUte on Oct 26, 2011 2:44 PM MDT in Football

Remember when Utah football was good? Remember the excitement of every game week because each victory put the Utes closer and closer to their goal, playing in a BCS bowl?

I don't know about you, but when your team hits the skids, it makes those good time memories feel even more distant than they should.

Utah seems worlds away from their 2008 season, even if, today, they're in a better position as a program than they were three years ago.

Still, it's hard not to get a bit nostalgic. When the team you cheer for is struggling to keep its head above water, sometimes relishing in past glory, enjoying the happier days, makes it all that much more bearable.

This week, Utah faces an opponent who played an integral role in their '08 season. Had Brian Johnson not orchestrated a last-minute drive or if he barely missed the end zone on a bootleg two-point conversion, the entire dynamics of that season changes. No 13-0, no Sugar Bowl.

But something special happened that early-October night. Defying all odds, the Utes tore off 11 points in 90 seconds to stun the Oregon St. Beavers.

It was magical. Utah might need some of that same magic to get through the remainder of the '11 season. Though a different reason than the '08's game, Saturday's contest against the Beavers is, if you think about it, just as important.

It very well could be the difference between 6-6 and 4-8 or 5-7. It might be our last chance to gain any momentum heading into the final leg of the schedule.

The Utes need this one more than any game in the past decade.

So, here's to Utah reaching into their magical bag that helped deliver the Utes a perfect season three years ago.

It worked once already against Oregon State. It can work again, right?

Utes score 11 points in 90 seconds to beat Oregon State (via JazzyUte)

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I didn't have TV then, so I watched score updates for that game in my parents office.

I woke them up twice, lost my computer privleges.

tweet me @kyle11kirkham

or visit my oh so lonely blog.... www.jazzaholic-rehab.blogspot.com

by kirkhambiz on Oct 26, 2011 2:53 PM MDT reply actions

Oh, memories...

Such a great team. Filled with guys who made names for themselves. No give, straight scrappy. We need more players who want to go out and force people to remember who they are and what they did. But in the right way. Cullen does that, but he does to by holding on key plays and getting ridiculous personal fouls.

by BetterasIgetolder on Oct 26, 2011 3:18 PM MDT reply actions

I admit it. I almost started crying. Maybe actually did. A little. Hard to Remember.

Twice that season. First time was this game.

Was on the 6th row of the MUSS. Got to storm the field 3 times in 2008.

by jim2 on Oct 26, 2011 3:41 PM MDT reply actions

This video is incomplete

Credit needs to be given to Utah’s D for getting the ball back so fast.

Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."

Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com

by CrimsonUte on Oct 26, 2011 4:00 PM MDT reply actions

Credit Riley for going ultra-conservative on that drive...

Made the defense’s job a lot easier when they ran the most vanilla offense possible and didn’t even try to move down field.

by JazzyUte on Oct 26, 2011 4:25 PM MDT up reply actions

Is funny watching tapings or replays of the game....

I remember on the first try for the two point conversion, being in the stadium it seemed like a full minute passed before the refs threw the p.i. flags, as I sat there waiting, hoping crushed, so many thoughts going through my head. Then watching the game again on the Mountain(glad that network is in the past) the flags came out right away. What a magical game. I will remember being at the Oregon state and TCU games from that year for the rest of my life.

by notblue19 on Oct 26, 2011 4:14 PM MDT reply actions

B.J and Sakoda #1 and #2 favorite players...

Because of this game and the TCU game. I know Alex Smith was a better player, and we have had other players that have gone onto successful NFL careers and whatnot, but Brian Johnson and Louis Sakoda are my favorite 2 Utah players of all time because of this season.

And 3rd is probably Kruger. Also because of this season.

by jim2 on Oct 26, 2011 4:18 PM MDT up reply actions

Sean Smith? Badass. Never will forget that Wyoming INT. That INT would have been SportsCenter’s top play if he played anywhere but Utah

by PhuckthePhillies on Oct 26, 2011 5:01 PM MDT up reply actions

http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/midres/6387785.jpg. This is my favorite Sean Smith int.

by notblue19 on Oct 26, 2011 5:24 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I remember that 2 point conversion. I was yelling so loud for Brian to run it and finally he tucked it in and punched it in.

Although many were frustrated with BJ, I really miss that guy. Always clutch, ran one of the best 2 minute offenses, accurate and could occasionally run with it

by PhuckthePhillies on Oct 26, 2011 5:09 PM MDT reply actions

He was above all Clutch.

He would have entire games that he looked pretty bad, but when we really needed a score, he could drive it 80 yards every time. Kept his head better than any QB we’ve ever had.

by jim2 on Oct 26, 2011 5:12 PM MDT up reply actions

I think Wynn was coming into his own with the two minute offense. Watch that final drive against USC, and he looked Brian Johnsonesque. I think if Mr. Breakable ever takes the field again, and plays a full season he could make his own legacy. Maybe just wishful thinking.

by notblue19 on Oct 26, 2011 5:30 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Brian Johnson...

God I miss him.

by CRIMSONandWHITE on Oct 26, 2011 5:11 PM MDT reply actions

He was a good QB

But I don’t miss him. Why? He’s still here.

Plus, he was certainly not the best QB we’ve ever had. That clearly would be Alex Smith.

Him, I do miss.

Johnson, not so much.

PS- I can’t wait for the Travis Wilson era.

by TomahawkRed on Oct 27, 2011 2:53 PM MDT up reply actions

I'll keep it short...

I was excited about last week’s game in SF for a long time. I was so disappointed on so many levels with the performance last week in my hometown. I knew it would be a rough season but didn’t know it would be this bad. Hopefully the team gets some momentum heading into next season (and plays in a bowl game this season). So disappointed…

by SanFranUte on Oct 26, 2011 5:40 PM MDT reply actions

I'm a Cal alum

And a Ute fan, and I too was very disappointed in the game last week.

I didn’t mind the Cal victory, but I didn’t care for the lifeless way the Utes represented themselves.

Disappointing is a good word to describe it.

by TomahawkRed on Oct 27, 2011 2:54 PM MDT up reply actions

so...

not only are the beavers the team you see as just another test to see how good or bad you are but you also have to bring up a bad memory game too huh? I guess I see how it is going to be fine then ;). Not that it was a good thing but when the beavers and the Utes played in Oregon before this game 08 the beavers did win you know and how the beavers won was not very pleasant for you. But you already knew that. Please don’t ban me ;)

oh, them beavers

by Thembevers on Oct 26, 2011 7:52 PM MDT reply actions

Excuse me while I die x_x

That was quite a game, back when our teams were good!

As much as we Beaver fans pulled our ~~hair~~ fur out after that game, I suppose it’s a bit of consolation that the game meant far more to the Utes from a post-season standpoint. The loss didn’t affect our Rose Bowl chase, but it did cause some bald patches.

by scotty256 on Oct 26, 2011 7:58 PM MDT reply actions