Cougars Capture 2009-10 Deseret First Duel Title

PROVO -- For the second time in three seasons, BYU has claimed the annual Deseret First Duel title over the University of Utah. The Cougars dominated the 2009-10 competition with a final score of 45.5 to 15.5 — the largest margin of victory to date in the rivalry series.

“It is a great opportunity to pause and reflect on a fantastic season for the Cougars,” said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe at the trophy presentation. “It’s a time to look back and celebrate the accomplishments of our student-athletes and their coaches. We appreciate our partnership with Deseret First Credit Union and their support of the Deseret Duel.”

Kris Mecham, Deseret First Credit Union president and CEO, presented the 2009-10 Deseret First Duel trophy to Holmoe and several Cougar coaches at Legacy Hall in the BYU Student Athlete Building.

The Deseret Dual is symbolic of athletic supremacy between the pair of in-state rivals. Points are awarded to the winner of the 12 sports in which the two schools compete head-to-head during regular-season competition. A team trophy is presented to the individual winner of each sport and points won by those sports count toward the school's overall total.

BYU won the inaugural title in 2007-08, while Utah captured the trophy in 2008-09.

The Utah vs. BYU rivalry is one of the oldest and strongest in the country. In November 2005, the Wall Street Journal rated the rivalry the fourth best in college athletics. Thanks to a partnership with Deseret First Credit Union, the rivalry has an official name and a traveling trophy to signify yearly supremacy.