Whoever first said the third time is a charm probably wasn't a BYU fan — at least last night they weren't.
The BYU-Utah football rivalry, dubbed the Holy War, usually makes for a pretty exciting Saturday every year, but last night's meeting had one of the craziest endings in the series' 90-year history.
With Utah leading 24-21 in the final seconds, BYU was given three opportunities to tie the game and send it into overtime, but were denied by a blocked kick, fans storming the field (twice) and at the end —an upright.
If anything, this game showed a lot can happen in one second.
With time running down, BYU completed a pass to get itself in position for a long field goal. Instead of kicking, the Cougars tried to get a little closer to the goal post. As quarterback Riley Nelson's pass sailed out of bounds — while the final seconds were ticking off the clock — jubilant Utah players, coaches and fans ran onto the field.
A review of the clock showed 1 second remaining when the ball was ruled incomplete — allowing BYU a chance for a 51-yard kick. The field is cleared and the Cougars get their chance for a field goal.
It's blocked. Players. coaches and fans rush the field once again not aware that the BYU holder picked up the live ball and tried to run it in for a touchdown. The field is filled with hundreds of rambunctious fans creating a penalty for Utah for a "live ball foul" — which gives BYU 15 yards and a chance to kick a 36-yard field goal. Remember, a game can't end on a penalty — or Divine intervention.
The field of red is cleared of intruders and the Cougars' third chance at scoring goes up, looks good and then ... Boink ... the football hooks left and hits the crossbar. Utah has its third consecutive victory in the interstate series and — for the third time — Utah fans get to celebrate on the field.
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