The Utah Utes Battle Back to Win The "Holy War" Against BYU

The Utah Utes were favored by better than nine coming into the annual 'Holy War' contest versus the BYU Cougars—in Salt Lake City. However, someone forgot to deliver the memo to the Cougars who, in their last five games, have resembled something very different than the team that was demolished by TCU, 31-3, just six-weeks ago, and they didn't seem willing to get on their knees for the Utes today.

Jake Heaps, the biggest catch of BYU's 2010 recruiting class, has become the leader that Bronco Mendenhall wanted him to be as the true frosh has grown into a pretty good quarterback—one whose future looks bright if his positive trajectory continues as it has thus far.

Despite BYU's inability to do anything offensively for better than three quarters, the Cougar's defense played above average today—holding the Utes to zero points through three and forcing three interceptions. 

Unfortunately for the Cougars, four quarters of football is needed to seal a win and the Utes came alive late in the game, scoring 17-points and assuming a 1-point lead with less than 5:00 left in the game.

BYU was able to drive the ball down the field, getting into field goal range but, with time expiring, the would be winning kick was blocked—Utes win.

It was another "Holy War" for the ages and now, with BYU leaving the Mountain West and Utah headed to the Pac-10, one has to wonder if this annual rite of passage for these two proud universities will remain as passionate as it is now.