Utah, BYU fans express emotions on Twitter after intense Las Vegas Bowl finish

Published: Dec 19, 2015, 6:35 p.m. MST

BYU fans react as Utah and BYU play in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Ryan McDonald is a writer and editor on the Sports Express team covering a variety of teams and topics.

The classically intense finish of Saturday’s Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Utah Utes and BYU Cougars certainly captivated Twitter, as fans from both sides expressed some rather raw emotions after the Utes came away with the 35-28 win.

As can perhaps be expected, Ute fans were mostly relieved with a sense of anger after Utah nearly surrendered a 35-point lead, while Cougar faithful were proud of their team for almost overcoming a daunting deficit.

Some of the tweets that were posted after the game:

Utah fans:

YES!!! Big sigh of relief
— Charles Barnard (@ccb1212) December 20, 2015

That is going to be by far the least satisfying win over BYU ever for a lot of Ute fans.
— Dan Sorensen (@DSorensen) December 20, 2015

A win has never felt so much like a loss
— John Madsen (@john_madsen) December 20, 2015

BYU fans:

The heart shown was on a whole nother level! #GoCougs
— Wayne Taulapapa (@WayneTaulapapa) December 20, 2015

Love my Cougs. Those 1st 2games were all-timers. Lots of good memories. Players and coaches should be proud. Looking forward to the future.
— Mark Durrant (@DurrantMark) December 20, 2015

Win or lose BYU made a huge statement by not giving up! I am still so excited to be a Cougar and I can't wait to play for coach Sitake! ⚪️🔵
— Drew Jensen (@jensen_drew) December 20, 2015

I am proud of the fight in this team. What game. I am excited for the new era of BYU football next year! Go Cougs!! #BYUFOOTBALL #GoCougs
— Ryan Reynolds (@ryfish65) December 20, 2015

Regardless of allegiance, a few tweeters expressed their love of a matchup that has now been decided by seven points or less 12 times since 2000.

I want a BYU/Utah bowl every year.
— Dan Kadar (@ByDanKadar) December 20, 2015

Ryan McDonald is a sports reporter at DeseretNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanwmcdonald.

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