I sat down with a few other reporters at the press conference after Utah’s 37-21 defeat of Weber State on Saturday. I put a hat on my chair and asked one of them to save my seat.
He didn’t need to. When I returned, I found only a smattering of reporters, some looking at their watches, others looking in the distance, planning where they were going to stop for a late dinner.
The mood was as somber as it has been game after game this year. Yes, the Utes are still undefeated. Yes, Louie Sakoda became the highest scorer in Utah history8212;a phenomenal feat for a program that started in 1892.
Sorry, Louie. No congratulations for you from this objective crowd. Oregon State just defeated the biggest and best godforsaken team in the whole college football world! The best USC team to ever take the field was just humiliated by our next opponent. The end is nigh!
The players knew it, too. They walked into this somber room and spouted their usual, somber comments.
One reporter asked quarterback Brian Johnson: “It feels like you lost even though you won the game. Could you comment on that?”
I looked from the press box and saw a half-full student section for an undefeated team.
The fans have succumbed to the same virus in the air that hung heavy in the cold, concrete press room. This team is like a guy or girl you’ve had some great dates with. Sure, you like them, you really do, but you just know they’re hiding something. The fans aren’t ready to give the Utes the keys to their house, let alone their hearts.
“Sure, you’d like to play perfect every game,” said coach Kyle Whittingham. “Every team would, but none of them do.”
No one is perfect. Not your husband or wife. Not your boyfriend or girlfriend. And not the Utes. Still, they haven’t betrayed your trust yet.
Said Whittingham: “We can’t lose sight of the fact that it was a win.”
A lot of teams can’t say that this week. Five teams higher in the rankings than Utah lost. USC, Georgia, Florida, Wisconsin, and Wake Forest would have all preferred an unconvincing win over Weber State. These are the teams that deserve depressing press rooms and heartbroken fans.
Utah is beginning a short week, playing Oregon State, the giant killers, on national television Thursday. The time has come to let go. There is no excuse for a student section that isn’t standing shoulder to shoulder.
The bandwagon has stopped and I’m saving you a seat. Take it now. After we beat Oregon State, there isn’t going to be any room left.
Nick Pappas