29. 11/24/79 – First perfect regular season: #10 BYU – 63, San Diego State Aztecs - 14

            The #10 ranked BYU Cougars (10-0) finished out their regular season schedule against the San Diego State Aztecs (8-2). The Cougars were led by senior All-American QB Marc Wilson, who led the nation in pass attempts, completions, passing yards and passing TDs. The Aztecs, on the other hand featured the WAC’s top rusher, Tony Allen, and top receiver, Stephen Stapler. Although the Cougars had already secured the WAC title, they were playing for something even more rare - an undefeated season!

BYU got off to a good start. Tailback Homer Jones took the handoff from Wilson, and burst through a huge hole opened up by the offensive line, rampaging all the way to the Aztec 25-yard line before being brought down. From the 25, Wilson drifted back and threw a pinpoint pass to WR Dan Plater, which he caught right as he was entering the end zone for the first score of the game. After BYU’s LB Glen Redd intercepted a pass in Aztec territory, the Cougars took advantage of the short field to score again, this time on a pass over the middle to WR Bill Davis. Davis caught the ball at the 20, and ran it into the end zone untouched for a 42-yard reception. Four minutes into the contest, BYU already had a 14 point lead; and they were just getting started. Before the quarter was out, BYU struck again. This time, Wilson found his tailback, Eric Lane at the Aztec 40-yard line. Lane broke free of one tackle and outraced another Aztec who was hot on his heels. The Aztec caught up to him just before the end zone, but Lane’s momentum sent him tumbling into pay dirt for a 57-yard TD. Thus far in the contest, Wilson had made three passes, and all three had been completed for touchdowns. The Cougar Defense, meanwhile, mauled SDSU’s quarterbacks, sacking them multiple times for big losses.

Early in the second quarter, Redd picked off another pass, this time deep in Cougar territory. After a couple of long Cougar runs pushed the ball over midfield, Wilson went to the air again. Wilson threw a short dump pass to tailback Scott Phillips, who turned on the afterburners, escaping a leaping Aztec, and raced up the right sideline for a 46-yard reception. Unfortunately, Wilson was intercepted in Cougar territory on their next possession. After marching up to the Cougars’ doorstep, RB Steve Fogel fought his way into the end zone from a yard out to put the Aztecs on the board. After trading interceptions with the Aztecs, the Cougars went back to their running game. Sitting at their own 48-yard line, Wilson handed off to Eric Lane. Lane rushed right, cut across the field to the left, pushed back up field and powered his way to the end zone, breaking six tackles along the way. At the end of the half, BYU held a dominating 35-7 lead.

The Cougars were threatening again in the third quarter when Wilson was picked off at the Aztec 3-yard line. The Aztecs’ reprieve didn’t last long. DB Bill Schoepflin picked off a pass at the Aztec 26-yard line, and ran it back for an easy pick-6, initiating the slow migration of Aztec fans to the exits. Another interception by DB Tim Halverson accelerated the exodus. A fourth down completion to Homer Jones gave the Cougars a first-and-goal at the Aztec 5-yard line. A hand-off to Jones resulted in yet another Cougar TD. After recovering an Aztec fumble at San Diego’s 19-yard line, the Cougars quickly advanced to the 4. After taking the snap, Wilson headed left, thought about passing, then tucked it in and scampered into the end zone himself. At the end of three quarters, the Cougars led 56-7 and Wilson turned the ball over to his backup, Royce Bybee.

SDSU took advantage of a Bybee interception to double their score. Chris Schaefer connected with Lonnie Moore for a 23-yard TD against BYU’s backup secondary. After running a lot of time off the clock, BYU scored one final TD - a 2-yard rush by Steve Carlsen. Final score - BYU - 63, SDSU - 14.

Marc Wilson
Courtesy of Deseret News Archives

With the blowout win, BYU finished the regular season with a perfect record of 11-0 for the first time in school history! The Cougars went on to play in the Holiday Bowl against the University of Indiana. Unfortunately they lost, 38-37, when their 27-yard FG attempt was blocked with seven seconds remaining. Over the course of the season, Marc Wilson set 11 NCAA record, including 3,720 passing yards, to win the Sammy Baugh Trophy and become BYU’s first consensus All-American.

 Game highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUM-EyqRyhc

 

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