Top 10 Utah Football Plays From 2004 Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah football had plenty of moments from the 2004 season where they went undefeated and beat Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.

The 2004 team was the first non-BCS team to win a BCS Bowl game.

SportsBeat put together their top five moments from that season with the Crimson Corner coming up with Nos. 6-10.

Here are the top 10 moments from Utah’s historic season in 2004.

10. Paris Warren 65-Yard TD Catch vs. Air Force

After trailing 14-0 early against Air Force, Utah climbed back into the game in the second quarter with a touchdown by Marty Johnson before a 65-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Paris Warren tied the game.

Utah went on to beat the Falcons 49-35. Smith recorded 260 passing yards and two touchdowns. Warren hauled in 6 catches for 137 yards and one touchdown.

9. Morgan Scalley 88-Yard Fumble Return For TD vs. CSU

Early in the first quarter against Colorado State, Utah defensive back Morgan Scalley scooped up a fumble from Colorado State and took it to the house for an 88-yard touchdown.

The Utes dominated the Rams 63-31.

8. Jonathan Fanene 76-Yard Pick-Six vs. Utah State

On September 18, 2004 in Logan, Utah defensive end Jonathan Fanene picked off Utah State and returned it for a 76-yard touchdown in the second quarter to put the Utes up 41-0.

Utah beat the Aggies 48-6.

7. Morgan Scalley 90-Yard Kick Return For TD vs. UNLV

During the opening kickoff of the clash between Utah and UNLV at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Utes defensive back Morgan Scalley took the kickoff 90-yards into the end zone.

The Utes smashed the Rebels 63-28.

6. Steve Savoy 92-Yard Rushing TD vs. BYU

Midway through the third quarter in the regular season finale against BYU, Utah wide receiver Steve Savoy ran in a 92-yard touchdown on a option pitch from Alex Smith.

That score gave Utah a 38-21 lead before topping the Cougars 52-21 and clinched a berth in the Fiesta Bowl.

5. Lights Out In Laramie

On November 13, 2004, the seventh ranked Utes went up to Laramie to face the Wyoming Cowboys. The game was delayed due to a power outage.

The Utes went on to beat Wyoming 45-28 after Alex Smith threw for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns.

4. Smith To Savoy For 78-Yard TD vs. Texas A&M

In the 2004 season opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Utes started the season off with a bang as Alex Smith connected with wide receiver Steve Savoy for a 78-yard touchdown. That was the first score of the game and season.

Utah beat the Aggies 41-21. Smith had 359 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran for 76 yards and two scores.

3. Smith 70-Yard TD Run vs. UNLV

Utah smashed UNLV 63-28 at home on October 23, 2004. The game started with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Morgan Scalley. But, the play of the game came at the end of the first quarter when Alex Smith ran in a touchdown from 70-yards.

The Utes put up 28 points in the first quarter and entered the halftime break with a 42-14 lead. Smith finished with 147 yards passing and 4 total touchdowns.

2. Utes Clinch BCS Bowl Berth After Win Over BYU

“The Dream has been realized” that was what ESPN broadcaster Mike Tirico said during the broadcast when the Utes beat BYU 52-21 and clinch a berth in the Fiesta Bowl where they would face Pittsburgh.

The Utes outscored BYU 31-7 in the second half to pick up the win. Smith threw for 184 yards, one touchdown and 3 interceptions. Running back Quinton Ganther ran for 122 yards in the win.

1. The Hook And Ladder vs. Pitt

In the fourth quarter of the Fiesta Bowl against Pittsburgh, Alex Smith threw a short pass to his left to wide receiver Paris Warren who pitched the ball to Steve Savoy for an 18-yard touchdown.

The Utes beat Pittsburgh 35-7 to cap off an undefeated 12-0 season. Smith threw for 324 yards and 4 touchdowns. Warren hauled in 15 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns. The duo was named Fiesta Bowl Co-MVP.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.