Fast fact
When it comes to the BYU-Utah rivalry, home field hasn't necessarily been an advantage. At least, that's been the case in recent history.
Heading into the 1993 grudge match between the Cougars and Utes in Provo, BYU had not lost to Utah at home since 1971, having won 10 consecutive games. But the Utes halted that slide when they claimed a dramatic 34-31 victory on Chris Yergensen's 55-yard field goal with 25 seconds remaining. Utah has only lost once in Provo since.
That's right — the Utes have won five of the last six meetings against the Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The only setback came in 2001, when BYU eked out a 24-21 victory.
And while the Cougars have lost two straight at Rice-Eccles Stadium, prior to that they had won five of their previous six games against Utah in Salt Lake City.
During a stretch beginning in 1990, the visitor fared much better than the host in this series. In the 11 contests between 1990 and 2000, the road team won nine of those, including six in a row from 1995-2000.
Who could forget?
2000: There were no bowl bids and no conference championships on the line as both teams entered the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium with losing records.
What made this game significant was it marked the final one for BYU's legendary coach, LaVell Edwards. The Cougars jumped out to an early lead, only to watch the Utes storm back to take a 27-26 advantage with 2:16 remaining.
BYU was down to its final play, fourth-and-13, deep in its own territory, when quarterback Brandon Doman connected twice with wide receiver Jonathan Pittman on long passes. Doman capped the remarkable drive with a touchdown when he barreled into the end zone from 4 yards out to secure a 34-27 BYU win in Edwards' final game.
"It's a great sendoff," said BYU senior defensive tackle Hans Olsen. "A great ending to a crappy season."
The Cougars finished the season with a 6-6 record, thereby avoiding Edwards' second losing season during his 29-year tenure. A couple of weeks later, BYU hired Gary Crowton to succeed Edwards.
Quotable
"It was something you can't explain. I finally got to beat them. You make that game so important. You lose one game and it lasts a year. You go 0-4 and it lasts a lifetime." — BYU senior tight end Chad Lewis on the Cougars' 37-17 victory over Utah in 1996. BYU had lost the three previous games to the Utes.
Number of note
BYU 28.7, Utah 25.7 — Average score of the BYU-Utah game over the last 20 meetings, dating back to 1985.