Huge Nativity Scene in Utah

It breaks a world record...

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/12/02/3290493/huge-utah-nativity-scene-breaks.html?sp=/99/1191/

First Snow of the Season

The first snows of the season have hit out west.

It may only be September, but get you skis and your snowboards ready.  States like Colorado and Utah are waiting for you.

Cheerleaders Suspended for Hazing With Condiments

Authorities and school officials are investigating a hazing incident involving a Utah high school that included senior cheerleaders soaking incoming squad members with condiments and forcing them to strip to their underwear.

Ogden School District spokeswoman Donna Corby said the nine cheerleaders from Ogden High School have been suspended.

Corby said the girls joining the squad next year were taken to a park May 4, supposedly to celebrate earning a spot as a cheerleader. Instead, they were blindfolded and told to do push-ups and sit-ups.

She said the senior cheerleaders threw ketchup, mustard, peanut butter and pickle juice at the girls. The girls were then told to strip down to their underwear to get sprayed off.

It was dumb,” said Hailey Lawrence, Ogden High School Cheerleader.

Lawrence is one of nine senior Ogden cheerleaders suspended for hazing the girls who plan to be cheerleaders next year. She said she didn’t participate in the hazing but she watched as her fellow seniors on the squad blindfolded the new girls at Forest Green Park, and forced them to do cheers while everyone threw things like ketchup mustard and vinegar at them.

Lawrence said the girls who were hazed knew beforehand this was what the squad was going to do, but she felt uncomfortable.

Apparently one of the girls had a peanut allergy and suffered a minor reaction.

"We had a young lady with a peanut allergy, and had to use her (epinephrine) pen," Corby said, noting that the students probably didn't think of the risks they were causing. "You think something's going to be very innocent but it turned out to be very dangerous."

The suspended students were allowed back into the school to take their advanced placement and end-of-year exams. It is anticipated they will still graduate. Still, Corby said, they might still face additional consequences.

 No word on when the investigation will be complete.

USC/Utah Finish Has Implications in Vegas

USC's 23-14 victory over Utah sent Las Vegas sports books into a frenzy Saturday night.

The game originally ended with USC winning, 17-14, so Utah ticket holders with the 8.5 points were paid.  But two hours after the game, the Pacific 12 Conference overruled game officials who had not allowed a last-second touchdown by USC's Torin Harris after a blocked field-goal attempt.

Contacted about the finish by The Times, a supervisor at the MGM Mirage Sports Book said, "That cost us huge. We needed USC to cover the 8½ and when they didn't allow that touchdown, that killed us."

That was around 10 p.m.

Informed the score had been officially changed, the supervisor said: "I haven't got that information.

"Wait. We're just getting it now."

The switch, he said, made for a six-figure loss for his sports book.

"Now we lose double," he said, "because we'd already cashed out. We can't collect from people we already paid."

What happened?

Here is the Statement from Pac-12 Officiating Consultant Mike Pereira: “The new Unsportsmanlike Conduct rule is Rule 9, Section 2, Article 1. It states that Unsportsmanlike Conduct fouls by players are administered as either live ball or dead ball fouls depending on when they occur. The rule does not apply to substitutes. All Unsportsmanlike Conduct fouls by substitutes are enforced as dead ball fouls. Since the game was over, the penalty could not be enforced and the referee stated it was declined by rule. The officials did rule it a touchdown making the final score 23-14.”

College Bowl Play of the Day: MAACO Bowl

The MAACO Bowl tonight has one of the best matchups of the year.  I don't think Boise St. and Utah thought they would be playing in a bowl game on December 22, at the beginning of the year. 

But here they are playing in the MAACO Bowl in Las Vegas.

Boise is favored by 17, at first glance that may seem like too many, but when you look at the meat and potatoes of each team, I'm not sure how Utah is going to stop Boise's passing attack. 

The Utes will be without starting quarterback Jordan Wynn, who is out because of a shoulder injury. Senior Terrance Cain is a capable backup, but to beat Boise, Utah needs to be at full strength.

Led by quarterback Kellen Moore, and the fact that the Broncos are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 Bowl games, I have to say take Boise and lay the 17.