Although it’s never fun to lose, this Holy War loss has surprisingly little sting to it. Two good teams met, with Utah making a couple of plays that made the difference. Congratulations, your team earned the win. Enjoy the bragging rights that come with it.
What took a ton of sting and ugliness out of the loss is the mutual class and respect that’s abundantly apparent between Kalani and Morgan. It’s a major change in the atmosphere, which I welcome and hope continues (and why I’m SO glad that Kyle left and took his toxicity with him). Had the outcome been the opposite, I have every reason to believe that their reactions, respect and class would be the same.
I’ve long hoped that the Holy War could become what I call “church ball on steroids.” No matter the opponent, we had high school classes together and got along together, away from the court, just fine. On the court, it was “friends after the game,” with a competitive intensity from the opening tip off to the final buzzer. Then it was back to “see you tomorrow at school,” kind of like the old Warner Brothers cartoons involving Ralph the Wolf (Wiley Coyote) and Sam Sheepdog.
Today’s game seemed to take a major step in that direction, which I appreciated from everyone involved and hope it continues. Until next year in Provo, hopefully with a different outcome. For now, keep winning. Hopefully, two teams make it to the CFP, even if BYU isn’t likely to be one this year.
Well spake and much appreciated!
Congratulations to your team, fans and academic institution. It was a tough game and could have gone either way at any time.
As an agnostic, out of stater, who has lived here over 25 years I honestly don’t understand nor do I appreciate the “religious” connotations to this game. Football is a violent and dangerous affair. I personally prefer to see a well played, hard fought, game without penalties. Kind of like the Army Navy game: two fierce opponents on the same team, where each team sings to the gathered and remain for the ending. That same team being decency, intelligence, artistic and emotional freedom amongst fellow sentient beings of different persuasions. Is that not grace?
I don’t like over-celebrations’, late hits, cheap shots or braggadocio. The game is hard enough, and frankly, most of us can never imagine achieving the athleticism of the players, so we should stand in respect for those who are truly warriors of the turf, with deep personal sacrifice, for our entertainment.
As to the “Rivalry” I honestly couldn’t care less, because, I think sometimes, somehow. religion, becomes wayyy more important than it needs to be. I think it ruins relationships, creativity and often, the game itself. Which, in reality, is only a game. That’s just an outsider’s POV from a town, (Boston) full of toxic rivalries and it’s own fair share of self indulgence and self-righteousness to go around… Different however, is that in Boston it’s never, ever, based on religious premise or religious significance. We just hate anyone who’s not from Boston…In Utah, not so much. Silly isn’t it?
That’s the difference to me. I think it’s time to leave the whole “rivalry” or “Holy War” behind (in the sense of the two similar but different schools) and just play football. That’s it! Then, thank each other for the opportunity to learn just a little bit more about ourselves and each other through the journey. That’s the best part of sportsmanship to me.
The state of Utah has an awful lot to be proud of. Outside the field of play, we will continue to improve the world in many ways - despite our academic or religious upbringing. To me, that’s worth celebrating much more than who “won” or “lost” this game. We have bigger challenges than a football game ahead, and we need each other; perhaps more than ever.
So, thank you for reaching out! Please know that many, many, many Utah fans understand how exemplary your players, fans and institutions are. The more we all work together for everyone, everywhere, the better we achieve mutual fruition and the harder for outsiders to distinguish the differences between us.
Be well.
Only one cheap shot in the game, that’s a good start. The embrace between the two coaches was great to see, however I browsed the Cougar board and read numerous posts stating Sitake shouldn’t have done that because it showed weakness and or resignment. What a bunch of Jackwagons !
That’s why I’ve never posted on Cougarboard and never will. There is some great information out there but overlaid with a ton of toxicity that I dislike, coupled with some who love to eat their own, collect scalps and engage in snark. No thanks.
As for complaints about Kalani’s supposed “weakness,” those who say that obviously never watched The Cut for the 2024 game and his post game comments in the locker room. He told his players that things like extending a hand to an opponent, after a tackle, and showing respect are signs of weakness. Rather, that’s what tough guys do. He’s right.
I’m as deep and long-term a BYU fan as you’ll find, over half a century, but with zero desire to go down that road. We’re neighbors, professional colleagues and, in some cases, fellow church attendees (take your pick), with some of the best people I know choosing to wear red, rather than blue. They’re cut from the same cloth as so many BYU fans that I know and deeply respect, so why should I treat them differently, solely in the name of misguided tribalism?
I’m not saying this in order to seek validation from people out here, just happy to occasionally drop in and comment on things pertaining to BYU. Thanks for giving me the opportunity. Over and out (for now).
AbsoluteUte, this is a most thoughtful, insightful and grace-filled post, which I appreciate greatly. Thanks much.
There have been attempts, over the years, to give the rivalry a different name, to no avail. For me, I divorce the underlying connotation of the words “Holy War” from the game, which helps. Ironically, Ute sportswriter Dick Rosetta apparently coined that term some 30 years ago, courtesy of his book about the rivalry, titled “BYU/Utah: The Unholy War,” which I have and which quickly morphed into its present title. That’s the earliest usage that I recall, though I welcome any corrections that anyone can share.