Wasatch College Football Report for 11/17

Arizona 34 Utah 24

As the 2012 season has rolled on, the Utah defense has gone from a solid team to just a collection of good players.  In the losses over the past two weeks, the Utah defense has not been able to get a stop when they needed to.  The offense has been getting the job done, for the most part, but the defense has not.  No disrespect indended for the job that Rich Rodriguez has done at Tucson, particularly in the 4th quarter of this game, scoring 17 straight points to end the game just when it looked like the Utes had the game under control.  There will be no bowl for Utah this year.  Next week, they try to get their first road win of the season against Colorado.

Utah MVP: QB Travis Wilson

San Jose State 20 BYU 14

I remember the stink that Utah State raised when Riley Nelson transferred to BYU.  They even successfully petitioned for a rule change.  Now, I suspect that USU fans are glad he left while BYU fans are not happy at all with the result.  3 turnovers, all by Nelson, in a one touchdown game, all coming inside the 30 yard line.  Cougar fans have the right to be upset at Nelson.  Give credit to the San Jose State defense.  Their offense looked invincible early, but when you score the deciding touchdown early in the 2nd quarter, it's the defense that deserves credit.  BYU's defense also deserves credit for not giving up when the game could have been a blowout.  BYU will finish the season against the worst team on their schedule, New Mexico State.

BYU MVP: LB Kyle Van Noy

Utah State 48 Louisiana Tech 41

The Aggie defense finally held in overtime as the Aggies clinched at least a tie for 1st place in the WAC.  A win over anemic Idaho in the final game of the season will give the Aggies their first outright conference championship since the 1970s.  I'm pleased that USU won, but I don't agree with the strategy of trying to kill the clock in the 4th quarter when playing this Louisiana Tech team.  One more score would have averted the need for OT.

USU MVP: QB Chuckie Keeton

Weber State 40 Idaho State 14

CJ Tucket ran and ran and ran and ran against the Bengal defense and getting a WSU single game rushing record in the process.  289 yards and 2 touchdowns for Tucket.  The WSU running game has been absent most of the season.  Perhaps they should have played ISU early this season and gained some confidence.  WSU finishes the season 2-9.

WSU MVP: RB CJ Tucket