BYU football: The biggest upsets in Cougar history

2006: BYU 31 – No. 17 TCU 17

This game became the signature win of the early tenure of Bronco Mendenhall.

BYU football had yet to defeat a ranked opponent under Mendenhall, but that all changed in Fort Worth, Texas, this day.

John Beck abused the Horned Frogs’ defense, and snapped the longest active winning streak in the NCAA at the time (13 games).

Beck competed 23-of-37 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Micheal Reed snagged four passes four 69 yards and score, and Johnny Harline added three receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown.

The biggest play of the game may have come early in the second quarter, when David Nixon rushed TCU quarterback Jeff Ballard. Hitting him from the blindside, Nixon forced a fumble that BYU recovered. The Cougars promptly went on an 11-play, 82-yard scoring drive, giving themselves a 10-0 lead.

Mendenhall told Provo’s Daily Herald that the win was the “most significant” since he was hired, and perhaps the “best of (my) career.”