#86 - 11/22/80 - 5th straight WAC title: #13 BYU - 56, Utah - 6

         After finishing the 1979 season with a perfect record, the #13 BYU Cougars (9-1) got off to a disappointing start in 1980, losing their first game of the season to New Mexico. It would turn out to be the only blemish on their record. By the time they faced the Utah Utes (5-3-1), they’d racked up 9 straight victories and had their eyes set on double-digit wins for the second straight year.

On BYU’s initial possession, QB Jim McMahon led the Cougars 68 yards to the Ute 1-yard line, in only 4 plays. Then he handed off to Eric Lane, who crossed the goal line for the game’s first points. Although the Cougar Offense struggled the rest of the quarter, the Cougar Defense played its role well, holding the Utes scoreless, and the quarter ended with the Cougars leading 7-0.

In the second quarter, the Cougs got their mojo back. McMahon capped a 14-play, 68-yard drive with a 7-yard scramble for a rushing TD. The Cougars’ next drive went 72 yards. On the fourth play of the drive, McMahon tossed a 5-yard TD pass to TE Clay Brown. The Defense once again held the Utes for the final 1:47, giving the Cougars a 21-0 halftime lead.

The Cougars began the third quarter with their third consecutive scoring drive - this one for 70 yards. The final play of the drive was an 11-yard TD pass to Eric Lane. The Cougars followed this up with a 62-yard drive. Lane scored his third TD of the day with another 1-yard TD rush. The Cougars got the ball back at their own 24 after the Defense stopped the Utes on a fourth down attempt. On first down, McMahon targeted Clay Brown, who broke free of the Ute coverage and raced all the way to the end zone for a 76-yard TD reception. After three quarters of play, the Cougars now led 42-0; but the Utes were knocking at the door.

Eric Lane
Courtesy of BYU Photo

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Hilria Johnson capped a 78-yard drive with a 1-yard TD rush that finally put the Utes on the board. They went for two, but were stopped. Although the Cougars fumbled away the ball on their next possession, the Cougar D came through again, forcing a punt. The Cougars next drive went 82 yards, with Steve Carlsen crashing over the line from a yard out. After another fourth down stop by the Defense, the Cougars had time for one more scoring drive. This one went 74 yards, and culminated with a 5-yard TD rush by Scott Phillips.

Clay Brown
Courtesy of BYU Photo

Jim McMahon 1980 jersey
Legacy Hall



With the 56-6 trouncing of Utah, the Cougars clinched their 5th straight WAC title. During the game, Jim McMahon broke the NCAA record for passing TDs for the season (which he would extend to 47). Clay Brown caught 2 TDs and racked up 184 receiving yards on 5 receptions for an eye-popping 36.8 yards/catch. The Cougars would win their final two games, including their first bowl win, to finish the season with a 12-1 record and a #12 ranking - their best season to date in terms of ranking, overall wins and winning percentage.

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