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Show 24-0, in Alburquerque-a tougher game than the score reflected. Oregon State, although not a conference team, was an important part of the Ute schedule. The Redskins needed a win badly to maintain momentum, and they got it. Trailing 3-0 late in the fourth period, reserve quarterback Clint Harden came off the bench to engineer an 81-yard TD drive. The Utes' last play in the drive was an 11-yard dash up the middle by Dave Smith, a special play Utah had not used before. The Redskins sweetened Homecoming with a solid 27-7 victory over arch rival Utah State. And seven days later, in what was thought to be the decisive game of the season, the Utes surprised everyone but themselves by stopping Wyoming, the preseason favorite, 34-10. The Cowboy attack may have been weakened by the dismissal of 14 Black players by Head Coach Lloyd Eaton for disciplinary purposes. But the loss of personnel hadn't hurt Wyoming when it downed Brigham Younga week earlier. Now the Redskins had beaten both teams-Wyoming and ASU-that had been picked in preseason polling to finish above them. Only Arizona and BYU stood between Utah and the WAC championship. But the Wildcats decided to spoil things, and Utah suffered its only conference defeat, 17-16, in Tucson. The margin of victory for Arizona was an extra point, and, "It was the only game," said Head Coach Bill Meek, "in which we didn't get a single break." By the last game of the season (BYN at Provo), the Redskins were still somewhat alive, hoping for an Arizona State loss that never happened. Utah needed and wanted a win, and left Provo and 30,000 BYU fans moaning about the Cougars' 16-6 defeat. Utah's fine record was not the only thing to be proud of. Football coaches and writers in the WAC area voted Coach Meek "WAC Coach of the Year," an honor which usually goes to the coach of the championship team. The players also got into the act, with linebacker Larry Stone, tight end Dale Nosworthy and defensive back Norm Thompson making the First All-WAC Team. Thompson and Stone also made the UPI All-Conference Team along with fullback Dave Smith. Thompson set an NCAA record in most yards (263) on interception returns. Ute pilot Ray Groth and offensive tackle Marion Boykin took Second Team All-Conference honors. Juniors Thompson, Nosworthy, and Boykin will return for 1970 action. 109 |
