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Christian Cox's journey has taken him from Bountiful to Cedar City to Brazil to the University Utah.
A senior defensive end who turns 25 on Dec. 11, Cox plays his final regular season game Saturday against BYU — his favorite team as a youngster.
"For me," Cox said, "it's definitely been a amazing. To walk on here, to progress in the system and now be a starter, it's just amazing."
In 2003, Cox was an all-state performer at Bountiful High.
He started his collegiate career at Southern Utah. After leaving on a two-year LDS Church mission to Brazil, however, he did not return to SUU.
Instead, Cox followed ex-Thunderbird coach Gary Andersen to Utah.
He redshirted in 2007 and played sparingly as a sophomore, but established himself as a valuable back-up in 2009.
This season?
Cox has been one of Utah's most valuable defenders.
He has started all 11 games and leads the Utes' defensive linemen in tackles. Cox is second on the team in sacks (four) and tackles-for-loss (7.5). In last week's come-from-behind 38-34 win at San Diego State, his blocked punt led to a critical touchdown.
Not bad for the one-time BYU fan whose cousin, Matt, was a starting offensive linemen for the Cougars in the 1990s.
"I grew up watching them, going down to their games," Cox said.
Laughing, he added, "I kind of cut my ties with them in high school — after I grew up, I guess."
Cox's collegiate career won't end against BYU.
At 9-2, the Utes will be playing in a bowl game for the eighth straight year.
But defeating the Cougars is something Cox has pondered since last year's 26-23 overtime loss in Provo.
"It was great, getting a real taste and understanding of what it's like to be on the field in a Utah-BYU game," Cox said.
"But losing the way we did has definitely been in the back of our minds the whole season. I'm excited about getting some redemption."
Recalling losses to TCU and Notre Dame before the win over San Diego State, Cox added, "The last few weeks, it's been the Redemption Tour around here."
An anomaly in San Diego
Utah's defense allowed 587 yards in the rain at San Diego State last week.
Cox isn't sure what happened.
"That was just a crazy shootout," he said. "I couldn't tell you why. But we just kept fighting and glad we got the victory."
One week earlier, Utah lost at Notre Dame, 28-3, despite allowing only 256 yards.
"The Notre Dame loss, we played good defense," Cox insisted. "We didn't play great, but were put in some bad situations. At the same time, we have to come through and bail out our offense when that happens. And we didn't do it."
Modified schedule
The Thanksgiving holiday is forcing the Utes to modify their practice schedule so players can enjoy some of the day's festivities with family and friends.
The Utes will practice early Thursday before coach Kyle Whittingham gives the players time off until Friday afternoon's practice.
If he had his way, Whittingham would have the regular season end before Thanksgiving.
"We've had to use this format before, so it's not new to us," Whittingham said. "But I think the college season should wrap up the week before Thanksgiving. It just makes sense, but it is what it is."
The Utes will be in a similar situation next season when new conference rival Colorado visits Rice-Eccles Stadium on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Tribune reporter Lya Wodraska contributed to this story.