QUARTERBACKS: Neither Kevin Feterik or T.D. Croshaw played outstanding, even though both threw for two touchdowns. Feterik completed 42 percent of his 52 passes and threw three interceptions. Croshaw also had an average completion percentage and two picks but showed great poise in the second half. EDGE: EVENRUNNING BACKS: No brainer. Utah had 96 yards rushing, 80 by Mike Anderson, compared with just 20 by BYU. The Cougars seemed adamant about changing that in the second half with runs on their first two plays. After they went for a total of just three yards, they essentially gave up. EDGE: UTAH
RECEIVERS: Utah's Donny Utu and Cliff Russell were the offensive unsung heroes with a touchdown each and key receptions throughout the game. BYU's receivers had good yardage numbers, but six drops killed the Cougars. EDGE: UTAH
OFFENSIVE LINE: Feterik was sacked four times, Croshaw was sacked just once. What makes BYU's team sack total even less impressive is knowing that Utah only rushed three to four guys the entire game. EDGE: UTAH
DEFENSIVE LINE: Utah was committed to dropping a lot of men into coverage, but that only would've worked with a good pass rush. The Utes definitely got that as they had four sacks, two by John Frank, who now has 14 for the season. EDGE: UTAH
LINEBACKERS/DEF. BACKS: Both team's linebackers did a solid job of stopping the run, even if Utah had more yards. Excluding each team's big touchdown plays, both secondaries did a good job of negating the big plays and making tackles. EDGE: EVEN
SPECIAL TEAMS: This time kicking didn't hurt Utah. Even though Cletus Truhe missed a 49 yarder in the first half, he made two other field goals. BYU's Owen Pochman missing two didn't exactly help his team. Utah's Steve Smith didn't bust out any big returns, but he did have an eight-yard average. EDGE: UTAH
COACHING: Utah's defensive scheme was brilliant. Its zone gave BYU problems all day with throwing and running the ball. Cougar offensive coordinator Norm Chow knew it was coming, but his team didn't execute the game plan. One fewer interception or missed field goal, and the Cougar coaches might've looked brilliant. EDGE: UTAH
INTANGIBLES: In the face of defeat, the Cougars didn't give up. Despite trailing by 10 and their fans leaving the stadium, the Cougars came back and put themselves in a position to tie or possibly win the game. Utah countered by stuffing BYU's late-game efforts as Andre Dyson picked off Feterik. EDGE: EVEN