1.12/19/80 - 1980 Holiday “Miracle” Bowl: #14 BYU – 46, #19 SMU – 45
The #14 ranked BYU Cougars ( 11-1 ) had never won a bowl game in four tries. The Cougars, led by junior QB Jim McMahon (who br oke 32 NCAA passing and total offense records ) , had the most potent passing attack in the nation. Their opponent in the 1980 Holiday Bowl, the #19 SMU Mustangs (8-3) , featured the “Pony Express” – a running attack led by two future NFL running backs , Craig James and Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson , who took turns pounding the opposing defense into submission . From the outset, SMU quickly took control of the game. Eric Dickerson busted into the end zone from 15 yards out for the first score. On their next possession, facing a fourth-and-one, SMU faked a punt, and Craig James scythed through the surprised Cougars for a 45-yard TD run. Meanwhile, the BYU offense couldn’t get anything going. After going 3-and-out for ...