#81 - 9/2/00 – BYU rallies from 21-0 halftime deficit to win in OT: BYU – 38, Virginia – 35

         After losing to #2 Florida State in the annual Pigskin Classic, the BYU Cougars (0-1) travelled to Charlottesville for the first time to take on the Virginia Cavaliers (0-0) of the ACC. In their two previous meetings, the Cavaliers had come out on top.

        The Cavaliers received the ball first, and proceeded to march 80 yards down the field for the first score - a 28-yard TD rush by Arlen Harris. The Cougars couldn’t get much traction on either of their first two drives, and punted the ball away. After one quarter, Virginia led 7-0.

On the Cavaliers’ third possession, they started at their own 5, and drove all the way to the Cougar 4. From there, Antwoine Womack crashed into the end zone, bowling over the referee, for a 4-yard TD. On third-and-19, after a botched handoff attempt led to a big loss, Cougar QB Bret Engemann was intercepted, turning the ball over to Virginia at the BYU 36. Five plays later, Tyree Foreman rumbled into the end zone with a 5-yard TD rush. BYU responded with a 64-yard drive. Unfortunately, this one ended with another turnover - a fumble. Fortunately, Virginia wasn’t able to capitalize, and punted. In a last ditch effort to put points on the board, WR Jonathan Pittman showed remarkable concentration, making a spectacular catch off a deflected pass with 0:12 remaining; but time ran out with the Virginia Cavaliers leading 21-0 at intermission.

Whatever Coach Edwards said in the locker room seemed to have an impact in the second half. The Cougars came out of the gates and marched 80 yards, scoring on a 6-yard TD sweep by RB Brian McDonald. A three-and-out by Virginia was followed by another Cougar scoring drive. Pittman almost scored on a cross over the middle, but was pushed out at the Cavalier 1. Engemann handed off to McDonald, who crashed over the line for the score. Although the Cougar D forced another Cavalier punt, the Cougars next drive ended with another interception. The short 40-yard drive was highlighted by a 28-yard TD pass from Dan Ellis to Kevin Coffey as the third quarter drew to a close with Virginia leading 28-14.

The Cougars responded quickly. On first down, Engemann threw a rainbow to WR Jonathan Pittman. Pittman caught it at the 35, spun out of a tackle, and swept right to outrun the other defender. He was caught and brought down at the 8 for a 70-yard reception. On second-and-goal, Engemann handed off to Brian McDonald, who was initially stopped at the 1, but scored his third rushing TD of the day on the second effort to narrow the gap to 7 again. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers came right back, scoring when Womack broke free and ran 67 yards to put Virginia back up by 14. The Cougars weren’t to be denied however. They marched 69 yards on the ensuing drive, with McDonald converting a fourth-and-one to keep the drive alive. Engemann found TE Doug Jolley in the front of the end zone with a 6-yard TD pass - the first of his career. When Virginia attempted to convert a fourth down play at midfield on the ensuing drive, the Cougar D turned them away with no gain. With 0:50 remaining, Engemann hit Margin Hooks with a six-yard TD pass in the middle of the end zone to tie the score at 35. On the kickoff, Virginia brought the ball out to their own 39. Virginia then drove 30 yards to set up a long FGA with 10 seconds remaining. The attempt went wide left, sending the game to OT.

In overtime, Virginia got the ball first. Tyson Smith intercepted Virginia’s Dan Ellis on third down. Now, any score would be sufficient for the win. After moving the ball to the Virginia 9, Owen Pochman nailed a 26-yard field goal to give the Cougars a 38-35 win.

Bret Engemann
Courtesy of BYU Photo

Brian McDonald
Courtesy of BYU Photo


QB Bret Engemann (447 passing yards, 2 TD passes) completed his final 12 passes of the game to earn Player of the Game honors. RB Brian McDonald, a junior college transfer, racked up 86 yards rushing and 3 TDs (T9th) was also instrumental in the second half comeback. The Cougars would finish the season with a 6-6 record in Coach Edwards’ final season at the helm.

 

Game link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_wrFpXX-Vc

 

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