2.12/21/84 – National Championship Holiday Bowl: #1 BYU – 24, Michigan – 17
The #1 ranked BYU Cougars (12-0) entered their bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines (6-5) as the nation’s only undefeated team, and with a chance to win their first national championship. The Cougars were led by junior QB Robbie Bosco - the Sammy Baugh Trophy winner who led the nation in just about every passing category including an NCAA record 12 consecutive games with 200+yards passing. Michigan, who began the season ranked #14, jumped to #3 after defeating #1 Miami to open the season, but fell out of the rankings after a lackluster loss to rival Michigan State in early October. If the Wolverines could defeat another #1 team, their season would be magical despite the losses.
BYU vs. Michigan - 1984 Holiday Bowl Courtesy of BYU Photo |
The first quarter was dominated by defense. All-American quarterback Robbie Bosco was knocked out of the game late in the quarter with severe ankle and knee injuries by a very aggressive Wolverine defense. Backup QB Blaine Fowler performed well, but failed to score.
Boscoe Injury |
In the second quarter, Leon White appeared to steal the ball from the Michigan runner, and run it in for a touchdown, but the play was called dead. Bosco, with a tightly wrapped knee, limped back onto the field in the second quarter. In order to avoid backpedaling after each hike, Bosco played out of the shotgun formation - something they hadn’t really practiced all year. The gutsy QB led an 80-yard TD drive, which included an awkward 13-yard QB scramble for a first down. The drive culminated in a 5-yard TD rush by Kelly Smith, who swept left, found a seam and ran it in untouched. The Cougar defense sacked the Michigan QB on third down and forced the punter to abandon the punt on fourth down, tackling him at the 5-yard line. However, Bosco tried to scramble on third down, fumbled the ball at the 1-yard line, and Michigan recovered in the end zone. The long Michigan drive appeared to stall at the 15-yard line, but the Michigan FG was declined when a BYU penalty gave them a first down. Instead RB Rick Rogers scored from five yards out to even the score at 7-7. With just over a minute remaining in the half, Bosco led the Cougars into field goal range, allowing Lee Johnson to send the Cougars into the locker room with a 10-7 lead.
The Cougars’ first drive of the second half ended at midfield with a tipped interception. Their second drive ended in Michigan territory with a fumble. Their third drive ended with a blocked FG attempt that Michigan ran back past midfield. This time Michigan took advantage of their good field position to take the lead with a 10-yard TD pass to Bob Perryman. The Cougars’ fourth possession of the third quarter ended with another fumble, this time deep in their own territory. Once again the Cougar defense stepped up, keeping Michigan from converting a first down. However, Michigan kicker Robert Bergeron kicked a 32-yard FG to put Michigan up by seven early in the fourth quarter.
Glen Kozlowski Courtesy of BYU Photo |
Kelly Smith Courtesy of BYU Photo |
With 343 passing yards, 2 TDs, and a boatload of grit, Bosco earned offensive
Leon White Courtesy of BYU Photo |
1984 Holiday Bowl Trophy Legacy Hall |
National Championship Display UPI National Championship Trophy Legacy Hall |
Condensed game link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My2oDmYFVbo
*BYU Tv's Top 100 plays in BYU Football TV history (updated 12/12/20 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYzgPw-bQ_c)
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