Las Vegas Bowl Recap: Utah scores early, holds off BYU

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

By the end of the first quarter, the score in the 2016 Las Vegas Bowl was 35-0 and the Utes seemed to be in prime position to notch a second consecutive Las Vegas Bowl victory. It seemed the only question left to be asked was when the pain would stop for BYU. Utah scored on its first possession with a Joe Williams 1-yard TD run after marching down the field. Seventeen seconds later, BYU starting quarterback Tanner Mangum attempted his first pass of the game from their own 20. The pass would be deflected and intercepted by Tevin Carter (the first of two he had on the day) and returned for a touchdown. With Carter’s pick-six, the score became 14-0.

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Less than 2 minutes later, Utah would force a BYU fumble and later notch a second TD for Williams. The score pushes to 21-0, with 9:01 remaining in the first quarter. Again, just a minute and a half later in the game, Tanner Mangum would throw

another

interception, this time to Dominique Hatfield, who proceeded to take it in for a 46-yard score. The score rises to 28-0 with 7:29 still remaining in the first quarter.

To say things looked bleak would be a massive understatement. After a record-tying 5th turnover, Utah starting quarterback Travis Wilson would score on a 20-yard scamper, setting the score at 35-0 with just 4:38 remaining in the first quarter. Five Turnovers, three offensive touchdowns, and two defensive touchdowns. It was very apparent that Utah took advantage of the disastrous start by BYU.

At this point, it seemed the game was over. It seemed many would say “So much for a heated rivalry” or “I thought this was supposed to be a good game”, when the exact opposite was being illustrated. BYU fans seemed distressed, while Utah fans seemed relaxed and confident in obtaining the win. How little we knew as the game rolled on, this “rivalry” mentality seemed to rise from the ashes of such an abysmal beginning.

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Just before halftime, Tanner Mangum led BYU down the field and ended the drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Remington Peck to notch the Cougars first score of the game. The Cougars would go on to score one touchdown early in the third and two in the fourth, while holding Utah scoreless. With 3:23 left in the game, what seemed impossible was now reality as the score was 35-28, only one score separating the two teams. However, BYU never managed to get the ball back and Utah secured the win as time expired. Bronco Mendenhall, the now former head coach of BYU, lost his last game with the team and now prepares to head to the University of Virginia.

This game was a classic example that early perceptions are not always correct. Even though the Cougars found themselves down five scores at the end of the first quarter, they united themselves and found a way to win. As Mendenhall stated after the game, “They stayed together and unified and battled back and made it a great football game. Our team tried really, really hard all the way to the very end…”. A game like this shows the strength of the rivalry between these two teams. Despite what appeared as impossible odds, the Cougars fought back and really made it a game.

Utah’s defense had a fantastic start that carried the Utes to victory. Their performance in the first quarter was the biggest difference-maker in this game and even though they started to fizz down the stretch, they made enough stops as a unit to keep BYU in check.

Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes defensive back Tevin Carter (9) celebrates with defensive back Marcus Williams (20) after scoring on a 28-yard interception return against the Brigham Young Cougars in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There is a lot of promise for these two teams heading into the future. Tanner Mangum seems prepared to take over the reins in BYU and be the future of this program. He finished the game throwing a ridiculous 56 passes, completing 25 of them for 315 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also pitched in a rushing touchdown. For Utah, with Devontae Booker out, the mantle fell onto Joe Williams and he responded well with 25 attempts for 91 yards and two touchdowns. It appears the Utes may have some confidence in the Junior, should he return for 2016. Travis Wilson finished with just 9 completed passes for 71 yards, which really expresses the lack of Utah’s offensive efficiency down the stretch.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In 2016, both teams may look reasonably different as key players from both sides will be graduating or declaring for the 2016 NFL Draft and Bronco Mendenhall will be heading to Virginia. However, one thing is for certain: when these two teams face off again on September 10, 2016, it may be an even greater battle. With the loss still fresh on their minds, it will be chance for vengeance for BYU and Tanner Mangum, while Utah will be looking to keep its current position as top-dog in the rivalry. This game was one for the books, but we will all look forward to the rematch next season.

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