38. 12/22/09 – Las Vegas Bowl: #15 BYU – 44, #16 Oregon St. - 20

             In the first-ever MAACO Las Vegas Bowl match-up featuring two top-20 teams, the #15 BYU Cougars (10-2) faced the #16 Oregon St. Beavers (8-4). Ironically, the last time the two teams faced each other (1986), BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall played for the Beavers, who won 10-7 in a defensive battle. For the Cougars, this would be their fifth consecutive appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl, where they’d gone 2-2. On the other side of the field, the Beavers were making their second appearance in Las Vegas, beating New Mexico in their only previous visit. Both teams finished second in their respective conferences and needed a bowl game win in order to make the season truly memorable.

Neither offense came out clicking, combining for three straight three-and-outs to start the game. A short punt gave the Beavers the ball in Cougar territory. The Beavers capped a short 37-yard drive with a 1-yard TD rush courtesy of Sean Canfield. The Cougars responded, mounting the longest drive of the night (14 plays, 84 yards) under the leadership of senior QB Max Hall, playing in his last game as a Cougar. RB Harvey Unga burst over the line with a 1-yard rush to even up the score. Back on defense, LB Matt Bauman scooped up a fumble and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown - the first fumble recovery for a touchdown in BYU bowl history.

In the second quarter, the Cougar D continued to dominate, shutting out the Beavers for the quarter. Meanwhile, the Offense added to their lead. K Mitch Payne capped a 69-yard drive by booting a 28-yard FG. Midway through the second, Max Hall hit WR Luke Ashworth near the right sideline. Ashworth, spun out of the grasp of the defender, and dashed into the end zone for a 25-yard TD reception, giving BYU a 23-7 lead at halftime.

As the second half opened, the Beavers were already in desperation mode. On fourth down, the Beavers went for a first down, despite sitting deep in their own territory, and failed to convert. With another short field, the Cougars scored when Hall found TE Dennis Pitta, who reached up and snagged the ball, taking it over the line for a 17-yard TD. Oregon State drove 60 yards on the ensuing possession, but despite being well within FG range, felt that they had to go for a TD on fourth down. They were stuffed. After three quarters of play, the Cougars held a commanding 30-7 lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Cougars recovered a fumble deep in Beaver territory. The Cougars immediately capitalized, with Hall hitting Manase Tonga for a 15-yard TD reception on the first play. With the outcome all but secured, the Cougars began playing some of the reserves. Oregon State responded with a 54-yard TD drive, with Jacquizz Rodgers scoring from a yard out. The Cougars were preparing to score again when the Beavers stripped away the ball. Luckily, the Cougar D stepped up again. This time, Scott Johnson intercepted an Oregon State pass and returned it 56 yards to set up BYU's final touchdown of the game - an 18-yard rush by Manse Tonga. The Beavers, however weren’t dead yet. They mounted one more scoring drive, a 46-yard drive that was capped by 31-yard TD pass from Ryan Katz to Damola Adeniji. With 2:35 remaining, the Beavers attempted the onside kick. They recovered, but the Cougar D forced a turnover on downs, allowing the Offense to run out the clock and clinch the 44-20 victory.

One of Manase Tonga's 2 TDs
Courtesy of BYU Photo

MVP Max Hall
Courtesy of BYU Photo

Las Vegas Bowl Trophy
Legacy Hall

With the win, the Cougars earned their third 11-win season in a four year span, and fourth straight 10+ win season. Only three schools—Boise State, Florida and Texas—had won more games over the previous four seasons, as BYU compiled a 43-9 record. Senior QB Max Hall earned Most Valuable Player honors after completing 19-of-30 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. BYU finished the season ranked #12.

 Game highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZNLJS4g6yw

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