In BYU senior quarterback John Beck's impressive career, two things were missing: Leading a comeback against a good team and beating Utah.

Check. And check.

While Beck has put up better numbers than he did Saturday, 28-of-44 for 375 yards and four touchdowns, it was the last minute of play that did more than anything else to cement his place in Cougar history.

"Four years of hard work was to put us where we could make a play when we had the chance," Beck explained. "We've been so close before and I think that prepared us for this moment."

As much as the win must've meant personally to the BYU trigger man, he was quick to deflect the praise.

"I've never worried about it (my legacy)," he said. "But I hope this game will help the 2006 team always be remembered with the other great teams of the past."

That attitude appeared to be prevalent among the players, crediting the team and particularly the senior class for the signature victory.

"I think we showed as seniors that we could step up and do the things we hadn't done before like win the conference title and beat Utah," senior tight end Johnny Harline said. "Beck is definitely a leader on this offense and he's had a great year."

Perhaps one of the most qualified to people to discuss Beck's legacy is quarterback coach Brandon Doman. Not only has Doman worked with Beck all season, but he also guided the last Cougar team to defeat Utah (in 2001).

"He (Beck) has had as good of a senior year as any BYU quarterback in history," Doman said. "I think this win proves he is one of the greats."

Beck for Heismanfi Weddle thinks so: When asked if Beck would be deserving of a Heisman Trophy if he was more in the national spotlight, Utah's cornerback Eric Weddle paid the Cougar quarterback a high compliment.

"Of course," Weddle said. "If he played for a bigger team or if BYU was ranked higher, he would definitely be in consideration.

"His stats speak for themselves," Weddle continued. "He threw four touchdowns today and he's near 30 for the year -- He's played phenomenal. This year alone, it's like a different Beck then we've seen in the past. He has grown and shown the capabilities as a quarterback.

"To lead his team down and have a great throw in the end just shows you what kind of football player he is."

Still rolling: With a Cougar win and Arkansas losing to LSU, BYU now is tied for the third-longest winning streak in the nation at nine games. Ohio State has won 18 straight and Boise State picked up its 12th straight by beating Nevada.

First-quarter dominance: The Cougars completed an impressive season of play in the first quarter by rolling to a 14-0 lead. That score improved BYU's tally in the frame to 138-15. Only six of those points came in conference play (field goals by San Diego State and New Mexico) and only one team was able to put the ball in the end zone (Boston College).

Second-quarter futility: After the solid first quarter, the second quarter Saturday afternoon turned into a nightmare for the BYU offense. For only the second time in 2006, the Cougars failed to score (the other coming in the opener at Arizona). They also finished with a grand total of eight offensive plays, lost 12 yards and failed to complete a pass in the frame.

Do these guys play offense or defensefi: The Ute defense deployed freshman wide receiver Sean Smith in coverage on Harline on multiple occasions, the first time he has taken such an assignment this year.

It appeared that the Utes wanted someone tall enough to match up to the 6-foot-4 tight end and Smith, at 6-3, got the responsibility.

Weddle, who has played on offense frequently this year, also threw his first touchdown pass of his career, am 18-yard toss to sophomore wide receiver Brent Casteel in the second quarter.

Just get the ball to the receiver: Beck's final-play toss across his body might've been the most important pass of the game, but it certainly wasn't the only one that was slightly unconventional.

The Cougar quarterback tossed multiple completions as he was being hit throughout the game. His most unusual came midway through the first quarter when he fired a chest past 15 yards to senior wide receiver Zac Collie for a 12-yard gain. It was unofficially the longest shovel pass in BYU history.

Extra points: The Cougars came out on the short end of the replays in the contest, having two touchdowns overturned. The third, however, confirmed that Harline had caught a ball for a score in the fourth quarter. ... Junior wide receiver Matt Smith led the team and carried the flag onto the field for the Cougars. ... BYU, represented by senior captains Beck and Cameron Jensen, won the coin toss and elected to receive. ... The announced attendance at Rice-Eccles Stadium was 45,330, the largest crowd of the season and the fifth-largest in history.

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This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B3.