Utah proves itself Pac-12 worthy

SALT LAKE CITY

As Utah celebrated beating Big East favorite Pittsburgh in overtime Thursday night, an animated video of a Bowl Championship Series graveyard played on the scoreboard.

It showed the tombstones of BCS teams like Michigan, North Carolina and Texas A&M — all of whom have lost to the Utes since 1998, when the BCS began.

Of course, No. 15 Pittsburgh was the final tombstone and commemorated Utah’s latest triumph, a 27-24 win on Joe Phillips’ 21-yard field goal in overtime. It also marked the Utes’ 20th victory against a BCS team, the most by a non-BCS team.

And with another BCS kill on its resume, Utah made yet another bold statement about its decision to leave the Mountain West Conference after this season and join the Pac-12.

“We came to show people it’s not a hoax why we’re in the Pac-12,” Utah junior defensive tackle Sealver Siliga said.

Said Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham, “It’s a huge start to the season.”

Granted, this wasn’t Utah’s prettiest victory. And despite rallying from an 11-point deficit to tie the game at the end of regulation, Pittsburgh did more to lose than to win. Each team was sloppy in areas like special teams and penalties, which could be expected in a season opener.

But the gritty determination of the youthful Utes showed why they have a chance to have a 7-0 record entering their Nov. 6 home game against No. 6 Texas Christian, with at the very least the Mountain West Conference title likely on the line. And with their young talent, they might be competitive in the Pac-12 more immediately than many expect.

Look no further than Utah’s defense, which has seven new starters. It held Pittsburgh to 266 yards and bottled up the Panthers' star tailback Dion Lewis, who had only 75 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

The sophomore sensation entered the game as a Heisman Trophy contender, but left battered after an assault of vicious hits.

But the biggest star on the Utah defense was freshman strong safety Brian Blechen, who in his first start intercepted Pittsburgh quarterback Tino Sunseri on the first possession of overtime to set up Phillips’ game-winner.

“I’m not disappointed,” Blechen said with a laugh.

There’s also promise at quarterback in sophomore Jordan Wynn, who in just his sixth career start completed 21 of 36 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns.

Yes, he did throw a bad interception in the Pittsburgh end zone and struggled with the Panthers’ blitz. But he finally picked up the pressure on a play in the fourth quarter and hit sophomore wide receiver DeVonte Christopher on a 61-yard touchdown pass.

But afterward, all Wynn talked about was the need to improve offensively.

“The defense bailed us out,” he said. “Hopefully, we can help them out next time.”

And with new left tackle John Cullen, that’ll happen sooner than later. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound junior college transfer neutralized Pittsburgh star defensive tackle Greg Romeus, who was held without a sack.

“That’s over and above what I expected,” Whittingham said. “I knew he’d battle and be tough, but to say he’d be able to accomplish that, that was something else.”

Cullen is also a shining example of how Utah will be able to compete in the Pac-12. He chose the Utes over schools like Southern California and Oklahoma, which Whittingham said caused him to do “three cartwheels.”

“This is just a special place,” Cullen said.

But it’s not for opposing BCS teams, as Utah taught college football again Thursday night. In fact, it’s a real graveyard.