7.9/5/09 - First NCAA game ever in new Dallas Cowboys' stadium: #20 BYU - 14, #3 Oklahoma - 13

             The #20 BYU Cougars opened their 2009 season against the #3 Oklahoma Sooners in Dallas in the first ever college football game played in the Cowboys’ Stadium (the largest indoor stadium in the world) as part of ESPN’s Kickoff Week. The Cougars finished the 2008 season ranked #25 with a record of 10-3, their third straight season with double-digit wins. However, the loss of WR Austin Collie, who had led the nation in receiving yards in 2008, to the NFL, and an injury to star RB Harvey Unga created big holes to fill. Oklahoma finished the 2008 season ranked #5 with a record of 12-2. Their junior QB, Sam Bradford, had been named named AP Player of the Year in 2008, while winning the Heisman Trophy, the Davey O’Brien Award and the Sammy Baugh Trophy. The Cougars were looking for their first win over a ranked non-conference opponent since 1998. The Sooners, who were 22-point favorites, were looking to start their national championship campaign with a quality win over a ranked opponent at a neutral site. In their only previous meeting, BYU beat Oklahoma 31-6 in the 1994 Copper Bowl.

On BYU’s opening drive, the Cougars got within FG range. Payne booted the ball between the uprights amid a cacophony of whistles. A Delay-of-game penalty pushed the ball back, and Mitch Payne missed the subsequent 46-yard attempt. After the Cougars forced an Oklahoma punt, BYU fumbled the punt, and the Sooners recovered at the BYU 35-yard line. Six plays later, Sam Bradford scrambled right and connected with Ryan Broyles in the end zone for an 8-yard TD reception. When the Sooners intercepted Hall later in the quarter, and ran the ball back to the BYU 30, it looked like the Sooners were about to extend their lead. Fortunately, Andrew Rich forced a fumble, which Shawn Doman recovered at the Cougar 5. Oklahoma led 7-0 after one quarter of play.

Both defenses continued to dominate for the majority of the first half, forcing punts and several turnovers. Midway through the second. Hall fired a rocket to McKay Jacobson, who caught it and sprinted to the Sooner 10 for a 49-yard gain. Unfortunately, a Cougar fumble at the Sooner 3 was recovered in the end zone for a touchback. The Sooners ventured into Cougar territory, but Rich forced another fumble, which Ryan Broyles recovered at the Cougar 37-yard line. After a couple of completions to TE Dennis Pitta, Max Hall connected with Bryan Kariya on a short pass that the running back converted into a 49-yard gain to the Sooner 5-yard line. Two plays later, Hall rolled right and found Andrew George in the front, right corner of the end zone to tie up the score. With 1:20 remaining, Sam Bradford quickly led Oklahoma into FG range, but suffered a sprained shoulder just before the half and never returned. Jimmy Stevens’ 35-yard FG with two seconds remaining gave the Sooners a 10-7 halftime lead.

Both defenses dominated the third quarter. Both teams were forced to punt on each of their first three possessions. As the quarter wound down, Max Hall was picked off by Keenan Clayton at the BYU 27-yard line.

As the fourth quarter began, Oklahoma had a first-and-goal at the Cougar 2-yard line. BYU's defense held for three straight plays, and the Sooners had to settle for a field goal. BYU responded by driving 78 yards, on 16 plays, that ate more than eight minutes off the clock. On the drive, Max Hall completed three big first down passes to All-American TE Dennis Pitta - the biggest of which was on fourth-and-four with just over six minutes remaining: *Hall took the quick snap, catching OU flat-footed, took a couple of steps to the right and dumped the ball to Pitta over the middle just past the first-down marker. Pitta caught the ball, busted through a couple of defenders and rumbled all the way to the Sooner 6-yard line for a 23-yard gain to set up first-and-goal (#33). A pass-interference penalty, put the ball at the Sooner 2, but Kariya couldn’t break into the end zone on two consecutive attempts. A Delay-of-game penalty moved the ball back to the 7, setting up third-and-goal with just over three minutes remaining. *Max Hall took the snap and rolled right, where he spotted McKay Jacobson all alone in the back of the end zone. Hall fired the ball over several defenders’ heads and into the arms of Jacobson to tie the score (#21). The extra point gave BYU a 14-13 lead with 3:03 remaining. Oklahoma took over at their own 40-yard line and drove 23 yards to the Cougar 37-yard line. Oklahoma’s 54-yard FG attempt attempt fell short with a minute and a half remaining. Max Hall and the Cougars downed the ball on three consecutive snaps to run out the clock and preserve the victory.

Pitta's Jersey
Legacy Hall

Jacobson's Game-winning TD
Courtesy of BYU Photo

Although they were “three-touchdown underdogs,” the Cougars outgained the Sooners 357-265 in total net yards. Max Hall threw for 329 yards, Pitta caught 7 passes for 90 yards and Kariya (filling in for Unga) gained 118 total yards; but it was the Cougar D that really came up big, forcing 2 fumbles and 7 punts, while only allowing one TD (on short yardage). The win propelled the Cougars up to #9 in the AP poll. They would go on to finish 11-2 with a #12 ranking in the final poll after beating Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl. Oklahoma finished a respectable 8-5, including a win over Stanford in the Sun Bowl.

Game highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h38Z6CDARHk

*BYU Tv's Top 100 plays in BYU Football TV history (updated 12/12/20 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYzgPw-bQ_c)