Personal Blog 1 - Life in the MUSS

Josh Southwick
Personal Blog # 1

Here at the University of Utah, a proud tradition of excellence and achievement has been established in the classroom, in the research lab, and even on the field. Our sports programs are recognized nation-wide for their success, most notably our gymnastics squad and the football team, which became the first “BCS buster” in 2005 when it went to the Fiesta Bowl and defeated Pittsburgh on that New Year’s Day. The U’s athletic programs have continued to distinguish themselves from the pack and prove they can compete with the best.

I have enjoyed playing and watching sports since I was a little kid, with football and basketball being my two favorites. So I made it a priority that once I arrived at the U, I would immediately sign up for the football team’s student section, called the MUSS (Mighty Utah Student Section). The season opened with an adrenaline-pumping overtime win against our old friends, the Pittsburgh Panthers, who were ranked in the top 25. We went on to crush almost every team in our path, defeating the next seven teams by an average of over 35 points.

Soon we reached the premier game of the season when we faced TCU, ranked as the third best team in the nation. ESPN’s College Gameday held that week’s broadcast from Salt Lake City for the highly anticipated match-up between two potential BCS busters. Essentially, the game would determine which team from the Mountain West was going to break into the BCS this year. Waking up early for the broadcast, I and many other Ute fans were cheering and shouting into the network’s cameras, waving our homemade signs that read, among others, “All We Do Is Wynn” and “We Mess With Texas”. As the game approached, excitement grew and everyone gathered outside the stadium for a spot in line. Kickoff began in the late afternoon and the deafening roars of the crowd only added to the intense atmosphere. The noise alone told you this game was important. Unfortunately, as the game went on, the Utes failed to put up a fight and finished the contest disappointed with the loss.

Although the team had suffered two consecutive losses (against TCU and Notre Dame), hopes were high for the end of the season. Everything came down to beating that blue team from Provo, nothing else mattered. A win against BYU would mend the wounds gained from the painful games from a few weeks before. The rivalry that defines Utah football was played the week of Thanksgiving, a time characterized by “food, family, and football.” Always an exciting game, it started off with the crowd just as loud as before, perhaps even more so, as we felt rejuvenated and prepared to face our rivals to the south. The visitors started by scoring throughout the first three quarters, and the Utes failing to get in the endzone.

Finally, in the fourth quarter, the U’s luck began to change. The team fought back, and capitalized off of BYU’s mistakes and turnovers. With a few minutes to go our school was up 17-16, but our opponents had the ball. They took it down the field, setting up an easy field goal that would give them the win. With only four seconds left in the game, BYU hiked the ball, and the kicker moved forward to boot in the victory. As he jogged up to the placeholder, the U’s cornerback Brandon Burton extended his arm and swatted the kick away. He didn’t just tip the ball or get enough to knock it off course – it was a full-handed swat. The kind that immediately sends the crowd into crazed celebration: screaming, jumping and high-fiving all around. It was difficult to even talk to the person right next to you with the shouts and cheers reaching incredible levels, but that is what a student section is supposed to be like. So loud, so crazy, and so enthusiastic that it becomes impossible to think of anything other than the joy of a victory and the passion for your school’s team. This year in the MUSS, through all of its ups and downs, is something I won’t soon forget.

Now as the team prepares for its bowl game against Boise State, I can no longer look forward to the Saturday game days and the camaraderie felt amongst the fans for their team, at least not until next year. With it being my first year here at the University of Utah and my first year as a part of the MUSS, I enjoyed the experience and plan on joining our team in the stands for the rest of my time here. Our last game was definitely a perfect ending to the U’s last season in the Mountain West Conference, and one that I will remember for a long time.