66. 10/29/83 - Last minute win over Utah State: #15 BYU - 38, Utah State - 34

            Although a disproportionate amount of BYU’s most memorable games have come against the Utah Utes, the Cougars have also collected a scrapbook full of memorable games against their other in-state rivals - the Utah State Aggies. In 1948, BYU and Utah State boosters decided to add fuel to the rivalry by awarding a trophy to the annual winner, deciding upon an Old Wagon Wheel - commemorating the schools’ Pioneer roots. After each contest, a small plaque is affixed to the rim of the wheel, paying homage to the victor with the date and the final score of the game. One of the most exciting matchups between the Cougars and Aggies took place in 1983, when the #15 Cougars (6-1) hosted the Aggies (3-4). Although the Aggies held a 20-15 advantage over the Cougars in Wagon Wheel contests, the Cougars had been gaining traction in the annual rivalry of late, and were hoping to avenge their 20-17 loss to the Aggies the year before.

The Old Wagon Wheel
Courtesy of BYU Photo

The Cougars struck first, courtesy of a 50-yard field goal by Lee Johnson. Unfortunately, Marvin Jackson picked off a pass by QB Steve Young and returned it 58 yards to the Cougar 27. Unfortunately, a personal foul tacked on 14 yards. Two plays later, the Aggies took the lead with a TD pass from USU QB Chico Canales to Eric McPherson. The Cougars came right back, marching 77 yards with backup QB Robbie Bosco at the helm, including a 44-yard rush by Eddie Stinnett, to the Aggie 3-yard line. Shortly before the quarter ended, the Cougars took the lead back with a 3-yard TD pass from backup Bosco to TE Gordon Hudson. After one, it was 10-7, BYU.

The Aggies then embarked on an 80-yard drive of their own. Canales hit Andre Bynum with a 21-yard TD pass to retake the lead 14-10. With Steve Young back behind center, the tug-of-war over the coveted Wagon Wheel shifted back in favor of the Cougars when Casey Tiumalu capped a 78-yard drive by bursting into the end zone from a yard out. The Cougar lead didn’t last long. Canales led the Aggies back to the Cougars’ doorstep, then snuck in himself to give Utah State a 21-17 halftime lead.

Coming out of the locker room, Young directed another long TD drive. He hit WR Adam Haysbert with a 15-yard TD pass as the pendulum swung again in favor of the Cougs. The Aggies struck back, but this time with a 49-yard FG by Willie Beecher. The score was now tied 24-24 after three quarters.

The Aggies retook the lead on their next possession, with Andre Bynum blasting into the end zone for a 2-yard TD rush. Down by seven, the Cougars went back to work. They drove to the Aggie 20 with a 20-yard completion to Casey Tiumalu on third-and-10. Young then completed the 80-yard drive with a 20-yard TD pass to Glen Kozlowsky, knotting the score at 31-all. Utah State came back with their third straight scoring drive, taking the lead with a 33-yard FG by Beecher. The Aggie Defense then came up big, sacking Young on back-to-back plays and forcing a Cougar punt on fourth-and-25. With only a few minutes remaining, it looked as if USU would escape Provo with a victory, if they could just get a first down and run out the clock. Now it was Cougar D that showed its mettle. They denied the USU a first down, forcing them to punt the ball back to the hungry Cougars with 1:56 remaining - allowing the Cougars to employ their 2-minute drill. BYU marched to the Aggie 1-yard line on a 20-yard QB scramble by Young. Young then sealed the deal by carrying the rock over the line with 11 seconds remaining to give the Cougars a 38-34 win.

Steve Young
Courtesy of Salt Lake Tribune

With the win the Cougars kept their winning streak alive - a winning streak that would eventually lead the nation and establish a school-record 25 consecutive wins. They also began a 10-game winning streak against the Aggies, creating an almost permanent home for the famous Old Wagon Wheel in its designated spot at Legacy Hall on BYU campus. One century after the Aggies thrashed the Cougars in BYU’s first official football game, the Cougars hold a 50-37-3 advantage in the overall series, and a 42-25 mark since the Old Wagon Wheel’s inception.

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