Centennial Cougars: The 100 Greatest BYU Cougar Football Games

               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

                 The defending champion Miami Hurricanes (0-0), led by senior QB Craig Erickson, swaggered into Provo for their season opener with a #1 preseason ranking and dreams of winning back-to-back national titles. The #1 6  ranked  BYU  Cougars (1-0) had never played the #1 ranked team in the nation before .  The Cougars’ hopes of pulling off a stunning upset were in the hands of junior QB Ty Detmer and a cadre of receivers with below average speed, but excellent hands. With both quarterbacks listed on the Heisman watch list, the national media predicted that the game would be an air show, and it didn’t disappoint.                On the Cougars’ opening drive, the Hurricane Defense forced a fumble, and took over near midfield. For its part, the Cougar Defense tamed the Hurricane, forcing a three-and-out courtesy of two sacks. On BYU’s second drive, Detmer led the Cougars deep into Hurricane territory before they coughed it up again at the 21. This time, the Hurricane running

                 The #5 ranked  BYU Cougars  ( 1 3 -1 )  had never played in a  New Years Day  bowl game. Senior QB Steve Sarkisian   led the nation in pass efficiency (173.56)  en route to winning the Sammy Baugh Award. Their opponent , the   #14   Kansas State Wildcats (9-2) , went 6-2 in the Big 12 - a conference that featured 4 teams in the Top 20 .  The Wildcats’ strength was a defense ranked #4 in the nation against the pass. On the game’s opening drive, Shay Muirbrook and the tenacious Cougar defense (labeled by Coach Edwards as “the best defense we’ve ever had at BYU”) forced the Wildcats to punt. BYU started their first drive with a bang as Sarkisian completed a lateral to James Dye, who ran it up the sideline for a 25-yard gain. Although they drove into Wildcat territory, the 47-yard FG attempt came up short. BYU’s defense came up big again on K-State’s next possession when Tim McTyer picked off the pass and ran it back to the Wildcat 35-yard line. Unfortunately, the Wildcat

               The #9 ranked Cougars ( 10-1 )   headed to San Diego sporting a ten game winning streak. Senior QB Steve Young had broken 13 NCAA records en route to winning the Davey O’Brien and Sammy Baugh awards as the nation’s best QB. Unfortunately, their All-American tight end, Gordon Hudson was injured and unavailable for the bowl game. Their opponents, the Missouri Tigers ( 7-4 ), finished tied for second in the Big Eight (5-2), and their resume included a 10-0 shutout of then #11 Oklahoma. The two teams featured opposing offensive philosophies: Missouri’s ground assault  vs. BYU’s aerial  attack.                On the opening drive, Missouri tried to establish their running game, but only managed one first down. BYU, on the other had, came out passing. The Tigers’ defense responded with a sack and an interception. Starting their next possession on the BYU 43-yard line, The Tigers stuck with the run, pounding their way to the Cougar goal line, and scoring when FB Eric Drain pu

                 The # 2 1 ranked  BYU  Cougars (9-2), led by MWC offensive player of the year QB John Beck, had already wrapped up the MWC title, but they still had some unfinished business to take care of. Their opponents were their instate rivals - the Utah Utes (7-4), led by MWC defensive player of the year DB Eric Weddle. The Cougars were hoping to go undefeated in MWC play; but more important, they hadn’t beaten the Utes since 2001. That was unacceptable to the Cougars and their fans. On the other side of the field, the Utes were hoping to bolster their bowl game resume with a big win over a ranked Cougar program.                In a preview of what was to come, John Beck immediately went to his favorite target, TE Johnny Harline, who made a one-armed catch along the sideline for a first down. The drive continued with additional first down passes to Harline, WR McKay Jacobson and RB Curtis Brown, bringing the ball to the Ute 4-yard line. On third-and-inches, Manase Tonga pounde