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1.12/19/80 - 1980 Holiday “Miracle” Bowl: #14 BYU – 46, #19 SMU – 45

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                 The #14 ranked  BYU Cougars  ( 11-1 )  had never won a bowl game in four tries. The Cougars, led by junior QB Jim McMahon (who  br oke   32 NCAA passing and total offense records ) , had the most potent passing attack in the nation. Their opponent  in the 1980 Holiday Bowl, the   #19  SMU Mustangs  (8-3) , featured the “Pony Express” – a running attack led by two  future   NFL  running backs ,  Craig James and Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson , who took turns pounding the opposing defense into submission . From the outset, SMU quickly took control of the game. Eric Dickerson busted into the end zone from 15 yards out for the first score. On their next possession, facing a fourth-and-one, SMU faked a punt, and Craig James scythed through the surprised Cougars for a 45-yard TD run. Meanwhile, the BYU offense couldn’t get anything going. After going 3-and-out for ...
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2.12/21/84 – National Championship Holiday Bowl: #1 BYU – 24, Michigan – 17

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               The #1 ranked  BYU  Cougars (12-0) entered their bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines (6-5) as  the nation’s only undefeated team, and with a chance to win their first national championship .  The Cougars were led by junior QB Robbie Bosco - the Sammy Baugh Trophy winner who led the nation in just about every passing category including an NCAA record   12 consecutive games with 200+yards passing . Michigan, who began the season ranked #14, jumped to #3 after defeating #1 Miami to open the season, but fell out of the rankings after a lackluster loss to rival Michigan State in early October. If the Wolverines could defeat another #1 team, their season would be magical despite the losses. BYU vs. Michigan - 1984 Holiday Bowl Courtesy of BYU Photo              The first quarter was dominated by defense. All-American quarterback Robbie Bosco was knocked out of the game...
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3.9/8/90 – BYU defeats #1 Miami: #16 BYU – 28, #1 Miami - 21

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                 The defending champion Miami Hurricanes (0-0), led by senior QB Craig Erickson, swaggered into Provo for their season opener with a #1 preseason ranking and dreams of winning back-to-back national titles. The #1 6  ranked  BYU  Cougars (1-0) had never played the #1 ranked team in the nation before .  The Cougars’ hopes of pulling off a stunning upset were in the hands of junior QB Ty Detmer and a cadre of receivers with below average speed, but excellent hands. With both quarterbacks listed on the Heisman watch list, the national media predicted that the game would be an air show, and it didn’t disappoint.                On the Cougars’ opening drive, the Hurricane Defense forced a fumble, and took over near midfield. For its part, the Cougar Defense tamed the Hurricane, forcing a three-and-out courtesy of two sacks. On BYU’s second drive, Detmer led the ...
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4. 1/1/97 – 1997 Cotton Bowl: #5 BYU – 21, #14 Kansas St. - 17

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                 The #5 ranked  BYU Cougars  ( 1 3 -1 )  had never played in a  New Years Day  bowl game. Senior QB Steve Sarkisian   led the nation in pass efficiency (173.56)  en route to winning the Sammy Baugh Award. Their opponent , the   #14   Kansas State Wildcats (9-2) , went 6-2 in the Big 12 - a conference that featured 4 teams in the Top 20 .  The Wildcats’ strength was a defense ranked #4 in the nation against the pass. On the game’s opening drive, Shay Muirbrook and the tenacious Cougar defense (labeled by Coach Edwards as “the best defense we’ve ever had at BYU”) forced the Wildcats to punt. BYU started their first drive with a bang as Sarkisian completed a lateral to James Dye, who ran it up the sideline for a 25-yard gain. Although they drove into Wildcat territory, the 47-yard FG attempt came up short. BYU’s defense came up big again on K-State’s next possession when Tim ...
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5.12/23/83 – 1983 Holiday Bowl: #9 BYU – 21, Missouri - 17

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               The #9 ranked Cougars ( 10-1 )   headed to San Diego sporting a ten game winning streak. Senior QB Steve Young had broken 13 NCAA records en route to winning the Davey O’Brien and Sammy Baugh awards as the nation’s best QB. Unfortunately, their All-American tight end, Gordon Hudson was injured and unavailable for the bowl game. Their opponents, the Missouri Tigers ( 7-4 ), finished tied for second in the Big Eight (5-2), and their resume included a 10-0 shutout of then #11 Oklahoma. The two teams featured opposing offensive philosophies: Missouri’s ground assault  vs. BYU’s aerial  attack.                On the opening drive, Missouri tried to establish their running game, but only managed one first down. BYU, on the other had, came out passing. The Tigers’ defense responded with a sack and an interception. Starting their next possession on the BYU 43-yard line, The ...
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