30.12/29/88 - Backup QB Ty Detmer Leads a Second Half Comeback in the Freedom Bowl: BYU - 20, Colorado - 17

             In 1988, the BYU Cougars (8-4) failed to win the WAC, but were invited to the Freedom Bowl to play the Colorado Buffaloes (8-3) of the Big 8. The two teams used to play each other occasionally as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and annually as members of the Mountain States Conference until the University of Colorado joined the Big Eight Conference for the 1948 season. Although the Buffaloes dominated those early contests (8-1-1), the Cougars had defeated the Buffs in their only recent showdown - a 41-20 victory in Boulder in 1981. Junior QB Sean Covey had been the Cougars starting QB for most of the season, but more and more Coach Edwards was turning to Freshman QB Ty Detmer to provide a spark whenever the offense was running flat. Although Covey was tabbed as the starter, no one knew which QB would get more playing time.

On their initial drive, the Cougars raced to midfield thanks to a 24-yard sprint by tailback Matt Bellini. Unfortunately, two plays later, Covey fumbled the ball on a sack and the Buffaloes recovered it at midfield. The Buffaloes stampeded to the Cougar 1-yard line where Eric Bieniemy powered his way into the end zone with the first score. Midway through the quarter, BYU started their third drive at their own 10. Relying mainly on the ground attack, the Cougars advanced to the Colorado 19. On second down, Covey hit Mike Salido in the flat just short of the goal line. Two Buffaloes were there to greet him, but Salido managed to dive over the line for a 19-yard TD reception. The Buffaloes started their next possession in Cougar territory thanks to a 27-yard kickoff return and a face mask call. They made it to the Cougar 35, but were stopped short of the marker on fourth down. The quarter ended with the score tied at 7-7.

Early in the second quarter, the Cougars drove to the Colorado 5. Covey tried to hit a receiver in the back of the end zone, but his pass was picked off by Dave McCloughan, who made an amazing one-handed grab of the deflected ball at the back of the end zone. Starting at their own 20, the Buffaloes then lumbered their way to the BYU 8, where the Cougars curbed the Buffalo drive and rushed the kicker into missing wide right. Unfortunately, Colorado started their final drive of the half in Cougar territory. They methodically moved the ball up the field, handing the ball off to their prize bull 8 times in 11 plays. Bieniemy pounded through the Cougar line, picking up 40 yards including a 1-yard TD rush to power the Buffaloes to a 14-7 lead at intermission.

The Cougar D
1988 Freedom Bowl

Although the Cougars only trailed by seven at the half, LaVell Edwards turned to his freshman quarterback Ty Detmer to lead them to victory in the second half. On their initial drive, the Buffaloes muscled their way to the Cougar 17 where they were compelled to go for three. The Cougar D rose up, blocking the FGA and turning the ball over to Detmer. On his first play from scrimmage, Detmer completed a 21-yard pass to TE Darren Handley. Although they were eventually forced to punt, Colorado gave them the ball right back when Brian Mitchell intercepted a long bomb at the Cougar 35. This time, Detmer and the Cougar Offense capitalized. Moving in chunks, they made it to the Buffalo 15. On third-and-8, Detmer dropped back and arced a 15-yard TD pass to Chuck Cutler who caught it just over the line. Tie game!

On their first drive of the fourth quarter, Colorado started in Cougar territory and drove to the Cougar 8, where they reset their downs to first-and-goal. The Cougar D made 3 big stops, but Colorado took a 17-14 lead on a 19-yard FG by Pat Blottiaux. The Cougars had to start their drive on their own 7, but were able to march 79 yards on a mix of runs and passes, including a huge 29-yard pass to WR Jeff Frandsen. That was followed up by a pass to Fred Whittingham in the flat. Whittingham was tripped up by one Buffalo, and went sprawling rolling over another Buffalo before popping back up and heading for the end zone. He was stopped by an official who called the play dead. Although video evidence seems to vindicate his argument that he never touched down, there was no video replay review to allow his thwarted touchdown. Instead, a 31-yard FG by Jason Chaffetz tied the game with 4:11 to play. On Colorado’s next possession, BYU’s Scott Peterson intercepted a pass in Colorado territory. Two rushes by Matt Bellini carried to ball into the Blue Zone, but then the Cougar attack faltered. With 2:33 remaining, Chaffetz booted a 35-yard FG to give BYU their first lead. Colorado still had one last chance, but the Cougar D rose to the occasion, forcing the Buffaloes to turn it over on downs. BYU ran the final 1:16 off the clock to win the game.

Ty Detmer
College Football Hall of Fame
Courtesy of BYU Photo

Detmer was named game MVP by completing 11 of 17 passes for 129 yards and a TD. His performance earned him the starting job for the next three seasons, launching his College Football Hall of Fame career. As the Cougars’ starting QB, Detmer broke practically every passing record in NCAA history, bringing the Cougars their first Heisman Trophy.

 Game highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cln9AusuPd8