I am a big fan of the Running Utes. My wife graduated from the University of Utah and she is rightly proud of her school and their excellent football team. It's some of their mindlessly stupid fans that have me shaking my head in both disbelief and anger. They could have cost us a very important game. Ute fans stormed the field three times at the end of
the Ute-Cougars game Saturday night and they nearly changed the outcome
of the game from their seats, after the punter did his best to undo all his team mates good work (but that's a story for another day).The drama started on what appeared to be the final play of the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium when a pass by BYU quarterback Riley Nelson hit the turf as time expired. Fans rushed onto the field for the first time, but the game was not over. Officials put one second back on the clock. BYU was given had a chance to tie the score with a field goal attempt, but was blocked by star Lotule Lei. However, the ball was still live when fans ran back onto the field, making it a 15-yard penalty against the Utes and giving the Cougars another attempt at a field goal to tie the game after clearing the fans off the field for a second time.
The game finally came to an end when Riley Stephenson’s kick hit the upright making it no good for the Cougars. Given the few chances for BYU to score after they were brought on by rowdy Ute fans, their conduct should lead to some changes at the U. Arrest and lifetime bans for those who charge field. Drunkenness, stupidity, boorishness and simply not caring past your own loutish fantasies are no excuse for that kind of behavior. The football team (and any other varsity team) work very hard to get their results, and frankly, this one was an upset. Time to get real serious with these losers.
