If Saturday's Real Salt Lake match were an episode of "Sesame Street," 60 would be the number of the day. RSL rookie Mehdi Ballouchy helped preserve his team's playoff hopes in the 60th minute when he scored a come-from-behind goal to give RSL a 1-1 tie against visiting Houston.
Have you ever been so mad at someone that you wrote that person a letter you never intended to send? Well, I thought the column I wrote after Utah's shellacking at the hands of Boise State would fall into that category, but I just couldn't stick this column back into the drawer.
I have a confession to make, and it isn't one that I am necessarily proud of. Before Sept. 23, it had been a long time since I attended one of the U's virtually unknown sporting events. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time I attended a volleyball, soccer, baseball or swimming event.
RSL seems destined to have its playoff dreams decided at the last possible second. RSL continued to narrowly help its cause by earning a point in a 3-3 draw with Kansas City Saturday night. The draw, which featured three lead changes and three ties, was decided on Jason Kreis' MLS all-time leading 108th career goal.
For years, J.R. Simplot has helped make Idaho famous for its potatoes. Since 1960, Simplot has been the major potato provider for those delicious golden fries that billions of people have enjoyed at McDonald's. Lately, it is the hard work of the Boise State Broncos that has made Idaho and the city of Boise synonymous with something else.
Real Salt Lake may have three games left, but it is down to its last strike. If the team can't go on a three-game winning streak to close out the season, it can start making travel arrangements, tee times, and shoring-up any other offseason plans because the team won't make the playoffs this season.
SAN DIEGO-For the first time in four tries, the Utes were able to score a touchdown on the team's first offensive possession. That was the good news for the Utes. The bad news is that quarterback Brett Ratliff's arm did not have much to do with the Utes putting six points on the board to start the game.
Eric Weddle has been the marquee name on the Utes' defense since spring ball begin. It's true Weddle can shut down opposing receivers faster than E. coli can halt the sale of spinach, but No. 32 isn't the sole reason the defense has looked sharp so far. It's hardly a secret that the U's past two opponents could make Weber State's defense look fearsome, but the defensive line has anchored the strong showing-especially against the run-for Kyle Whittingham's squad thus far.
Now that the majority of the non-conference slate has been completed, the Mountain West can take a deep breath after going a disappointing 3-7 against BCS conference teams thus far. TCU collected two of those wins, and Colorado State's home victory over lowly Colorado was unimpressive, given the Buffaloes' previous loss to Division I-AA Montana State.
