10 Biggest Season Opening Wins in BYU Football
By Mitch Harper
BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning touchdown against Ole Miss in the 2011 season opener.
Columnist
Every year, the anticipation for football season seems to grow more and more. With only 10 days left until kickoff against Washington State, I would like to take time and reflect on some of the greatest season opening wins in BYU Football history.
1979: BYU 18, #18 Texas A&M 17
Before September 8th, 1979, BYU had never beaten a nationally ranked team outside the Western Athletic Conference. The Aggies were ranked 18th in both the AP and UPI polls. Less than 24 hours before kickoff, BYU quarterback Marc Wilson was running a temperature of 103 degrees—which was caused by the after-affects of his appendicitis surgery that he had undergone just days before. Texas A&M was led by future NFL running back Curtis Dickey, who helped the Aggies hold a 17-10 lead against the Cougars late in the fourth quarter. After the Cougars blocked an A&M punt, they had the ball at the 19 yard line and a chance to tie the game. 5 plays later, Wilson hit Clay Brown for a touchdown with 52 seconds remaining. Instead of kicking a PAT for the tie, Coach Edwards elected to attempt a 2-point conversion and the win. The conversion was successful as Marc Wilson completed a rollout pass to fullback Mike Lacey, who made a highlight-film diving catch to give the Cougars the one point margin of victory.
1984: BYU 20, #3 Pitt 14
BYU opened the 1984 season on the road against #3 ranked Pitt. This game would be the first ever broadcast of a college football game live on ESPN. This game would also be the first start for quarterback Robbie Bosco. If you are looking for a “prime-time” game, this would be it—Goodyear Blimp and all. Bosco, who hadn’t slept all week, led the Cougars back after trailing 14-3, to a dramatic 20-14 upset victory when he connected with wide receiver Adam Haysbert on stride, who ran 50 yards into the end zone for the game-winning score. BYU would go on to win the remaining games on their schedule to complete their historic undefeated season, and claim an outright National Championship.
1985: BYU 28, Boston College 14 (Kickoff Classic)
What can you possibly do for an encore after winning the National Championship? How about playing in the annual Kickoff Classic on national television against Cotton Bowl champion Boston College at the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey. Robbie Bosco, who was the front-runner for the 1985 Heisman Trophy, threw for 508 yards and three touchdown passes and led the Cougars to a 28-14 victory over the Eagles. This was a Boston College team that finished the 1984 season ranked #4 in the country led by Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie. This big season opening win for the Cougars would pave the way for another big win against the Huskies of Washington a few weeks later, who many claimed deserved the national title over BYU in 1984. After the Cougars defeated the Huskies 31-3 in Provo, there was no room for debate as to which team deserved the national title the previous year.
1996: BYU 41, #13 Texas A&M 37 (Pigskin Classic)
The 1996 Pigskin Classic was one of the most thrilling season opening victories in BYU football history. This prime-time game was nationally televised on ABC and would be the first college football game of 1996. A&M was nationally ranked at #13, and had won 7 consecutive season openers under Head Coach R.C. Slocum. BYU fans and coaches had revenge on their minds, remembering the embarrassing 65-14 loss to the Aggies in the 1990 Holiday Bowl. Senior quarterback Steve Sarkisian certainly put up a show for the BYU faithful at Cougar Stadium. Sark completed 33 of 41 passes for 536 yards and tossed 6 touchdowns, including a game winning throw to wide receiver K.O. Kealuluhi with just over a minute left in the game. This victory propelled the Cougars to a 14-1 record overall, a WAC title, and a Cotton Bowl victory over Kansas State.
1999: BYU 35, Washington 28
After suffering 3 consecutive losses to the Huskies in 3 years (including the 1996 heartbreaker which potentially cost the Cougars a shot at playing for an Alliance Bowl), BYU would not be denied a 4th time. This game was the debut of many things in 1999. For one, it was the debut of Washington Head Coach Rick Nuheisel. It was also the presentation of BYU’s new navy blue “bib” uniforms combined with a brand new offensive scheme led by offensive coordinator Norm Chow. In addition, it would be the first college football game played in 1999 on a Thursday night Prime-Time matchup nationally televised on ESPN. It would be one of three consecutive games called by College Gameday crew Mike Tirico, Lee Corso, and Kirk Herbstreit. BYU was definitely in the national spotlight, and didn’t disappoint it’s millions of viewers around the country. BYU quarterback Kevin Feterik was certainly poised in the new shotgun offense, as he passed for over 500 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a game winning touchdown pass to Chris Hale from 38 yards out with just over a minute remaining.
2001: BYU 70, Tulane 35 (BCA Classic)
BYU football entered a new chapter in 2001 with newly hired head coach Gary Crowton, who was making his debut against the Tulane Green Wave in the BCA Classic. On a hot summer day in Provo, the new offense led by Gary Crowton exploded. The Cougars scored 49 points in the first half, which included a 4 touchdown 2nd quarter. BYU running backs Luke Staley and Brian McDonald each had three touchdowns on the ground and 245 rushing yards combined. The offensive outburst produced 734 total yards, 30 first downs, and 10 touchdowns. The Cougars would go on to win 12 games that season, including an outright conference championship.
2004: BYU 20, Notre Dame 17
The Bronco Mendenhall led defense absolutely shut down Brady Quinn and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in the 2004 season opener. The Irish were held to just 11 total rushing yards on 21 carries. BYU wide receiver Todd Watkins made his thrilling debut as he showed off his dangerous speed in front of a sellout crowd in Provo. On BYU’s 5th offensive play of the game, quarterback John Beck hit Watkins on a 50-yard pass to set up the first touchdown of the game. The Cougars never looked back and held on for a 20-17 victory over the Irish. This Notre Dame team should not be underestimated. They would go on to upset #8 ranked Michigan the next week. Later in the season, the Irish would go on the road at #9 Tennessee and upset the Volunteers. Many players that played on this 2004 Notre Dame roster would advance to the NFL. This was a big season opening win for the Cougars.
2009: BYU 14, #3 Oklahoma 13
The BYU defense reacts after Oklahoma misses a field goal late in the game during the 2009 season opener.
In the brand new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, in front of a Nationally televised audience, and the first college football game of the season, BYU defeated #3 ranked Oklahoma led by Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. This was an OU team that played in the BCS National Championship game just 8 months earlier. They had returned most of their team from the year before. They were basically the home team, where the Sooner fans drastically outnumbered the BYU faithful. It was truly David vs. Goliath. I’m not sure if BYU fans realize how good this OU team actually was. I predict that if Bradford stayed healthy and OU won the game, they have a good chance of playing for a National Title again. I would have never bet my money or imagined in a million years that BYU would have won this game. It was impossible. BYU just doesn’t win these kind of games. This upset victory earned the Cougars a lot of national respect and paved the way for another successful season.
2010: BYU 23, Washington 17
Former BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian would make his return to Provo as the Head Coach of the Washington Huskies. In a very evenly matched game, the Cougar defense managed to contain and limit dual-threat quarterback Jake Locker to only 29 yards rushing. The BYU offense featured a two-quarterback system led by Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps. Both quarterbacks each threw for 131 yards and both led scoring drives to team up for the victory. Heaps, the Seattle native, was making his true freshman debut against the team that was number 2 on his recruiting list. The victory would give the Cougars their 3rd straight win over Washington and give head coach Bronco Mendenhall his 4th straight season opening victory.
2011: BYU 14, Ole Miss 13
The BYU Cougars opened their first season of Independence on the road in SEC country facing the Rebels of Ole Miss. It would also be the first ever meeting between the two teams. Offensive Coordinator Brandon Doman was making his coaching debut and struggled early on as he failed to convert any points after long, productive drives. With the Cougars down 13-0 with under 10 minutes left in the game, quarterback Jake Heaps led a BYU drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Ross Apo. A few plays later, the BYU defense capitalized on an Ole Miss 3rd down attempt, as Cougar linebacker Kyle Van Noy made a blind-siding, fumble-causing sack. Van Noy would then scoop up the ball and stumble into the endzone for the game winning touchdown with just minutes left in the game. The Cougars escape from the south with a huge season opening victory and would go on to finish their first year of indepence with 10 wins and a bowl victory.