Michael Jordan Push-Off, Dellavadova Buzzer-Beater Highlight Unlucky Utah Sports Moments
Mar 17, 2020, 2:14 PM
In this 14 June 1998 file photo, with 5.2 seconds left in the game, Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls (C) aims and shoots the game-winning jump shot as Bryon Russell of the Utah Jazz (L) drives at Jordan's feet 14 June during game six of the NBA Finals with the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT. The Bulls won the game 87-86 to win their sixth NBA championship. This would be Jordan's last-ever score if he announces his retirement 13 January as reported in a number of print and broadcast reports. (Photo credit: JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo credit: JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The state of Utah has suffered through some disappointing moments in sports history.
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From buzzer-beaters from half-court heaves to unfortunate plays in the NBA Finals, the fans from the state have seen their fair share of disappointment.
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are some notable unlucky plays in Utah sports history.
Michael Jordan Push-Off
We all know that Michael Jordan pushed off Bryon Russell at the Delta Center in the NBA Finals. The Bulls stole the ball from Karl Malone with the Jazz holding a one point lead with 20 seconds left. After calling a timeout and catching the inbounds pass, Jordan drove near the foul line when he stepped back while pushing Russell and fired the mid-range shot and gave the Bulls their sixth NBA title.
Matthew Dellavedova Buzzer-Beater
In 2013, BYU and St. Mary’s played one of the best college basketball games in recent memory. Tyler Haws put the Cougars up by two points with 2 seconds left when Gaels guard Matthew Dellavedova made a half-court shot at the buzzer to give St. Mary’s the 70-69 win in Provo.
Kaneshiro Doink 1998
In 1998, Utah kicker Ryan Kaneshiro nearly knocked off the BYU Cougars with a game-winning field goal. With 9 seconds remaining and the Cougars holding on to a 26-24 lead, all Kaneshiro had to do was make the chip-shot field goal. But, the ball bounced off the right upright and was forever known as the “Doink heard around Utah.”
Jake ‘Fumble’ Heaps
In 2011, BYU quarterback Jake Heaps struggled to take care of the football against the Utes. The Cougars turned over the ball seven times, six of those being fumbles. Heaps had a fumble that went into his own end zone that the Utes recovered for a touchdown. Utah picked up a dominating 54-10 win in Provo.
BYU’s First Quarter In 2015 Las Vegas Bowl
The Cougars had one of the worst starts to a football game in school history in the first quarter of the 2015 Las Vegas Bowl. BYU started the game with five straight turnovers, leading to five Utah touchdowns. The Utes held a 35-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Utah ended up winning the game 35-28 after stopping BYU’s ferocious comeback.
This is the dream of every @Utah_Football fan becoming reality. #Utes https://t.co/o3Po3MpM8O pic.twitter.com/upHIoM1nFU
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 15, 2020
Taysom Hill College Injuries
BYU star quarterback Taysom Hill dealt with injuries throughout his entire career with the Cougars. As a freshman in 2012, Hill started his first game against Hawaii. One week later, he suffered a season-ending injury against Utah State. He suffered the injury on a kneel down play.
Hill played a full season in 2013 before suffering a broken leg against the Aggies in the fifth game of the season.
In 2015, Hill scored a touchdown with a broken foot in the season opener against Nebraska. Finally, Hill was hurdling a Utah State defender in 2016 when he suffered an injury in 2016.
Kaelin Clay Fumble vs. Oregon
Utah had a showdown with the Oregon Ducks, a team who would end up playing in the National Championship game later in the 2015 season. Early in the game, wide receiver and return specialist Kaelin Clay caught a deep pass from quarterback Travis Wilson. Clay ran into the end zone but dropped the ball at the one-yard line and started celebrating in the end zone. The Ducks scooped up the ball and returned it 99-yards for a touchdown.
