### BYU Hopes to Break Curse at Rice-Eccles Stadium Against Utah

This Saturday, the No. 9 BYU Cougars will face off against their longstanding rivals, the Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Cougars are determined to end their five-game losing streak at this venue, where they have not triumphed since 2006.

The 2024 BYU team, buoyed by a confident defense that recently tackled Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson in Provo, is optimistic about their chances. Former BYU player John Beck has vivid memories of past clashes at Rice-Eccles, especially from his stint as quarterback. “I remember listening to Urban Meyer talking to his team and the fans. I wanted something special like that for our team and our fans," Beck recalls from a heated 2004 encounter where the Cougars faced a formidable No. 5 Utah team.

In that 2004 matchup, BYU, led by the then sophomore Beck, managed to tie the game at 14-14 in the first half, thanks to a touchdown pass to Todd Watkins and a run by Curtis Brown. However, quarterback Alex Smith and the Utes ultimately overwhelmed the Cougars, outscoring them 38-7 in the latter part of the game to win 52-21, securing a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. Beck, reflecting on the loss, hoped for a moment of redemption on Utah’s turf, which he achieved two years later in 2006.

As BYU gears up for this critical rivalry game, fans and players alike are hoping for a repeat of that 2006 victory to break their losing streak at Rice-Eccles Stadium.