Looking Back at a Century of BYU Football
By Jake Olsen
BYU Football has had a storied history of memorable moments, from jaw-dropping catches, famous hurdles, and some near impossible interceptions. From the Jake Oldroyd game-winners to the miracle catches and everything in between. Let's take a look at the past hundred years of BYU Football.
The one that comes to my mind first is the win against Utah in 2021. I remember standing in my dorm room, ready for another fierce battle that this rivalry usually provided. I remember the slow start and the way the game slowly ramped up.
BYU's Chaz Ah You intercepted a Charlie Brewer pass. This led to BYU punting and Utah getting the ball back. After the start of what looked like a promising drive, Tavion Thomas fumbled the ball and BYU's Isaiah Herron recovered it. BYU would then take advantage of the short field and set up Jake Oldroyd with a 37-yard field goal.
The game would continue in true shootout fashion. Eventually, Utah would be faced with a fourth down and two. Brewer would overthrow his receiver Britain Covey and Utah would turn the ball over on downs. BYU would kneel the ball down and end Utah's nine-game winning streak in the Holy War with a 26-17 win.
The 2015 game against Nebraska, known as the Miracle at Memorial is another notable game. I was not able to see the ending live but it is definitely up there. The way that Tanner Mangum was able to step in and replace Taysom Hill mid-game was incredible.
I remember how I came back to check on the game. Seeing the replay of Mangum's pass to Mitch Matthews was incredible. BYU almost lost this game after losing a big lead but they pulled of a last-second Hail Mary. It was a similar ending the next week in Provo with BYU when the Cougar defense stopped the Broncos on third down and forced a punt. BYU would then throw another Hail Mary on fourth and seven, following it up with a pick-six by Kai Nacua.
The biggest game in BYU History, in my opinion is the 1984 Holiday Bowl that led BYU to their only National Championship. A come-from-behind miracle featuring Robby Bosco's perfectly placed pass to Kelly Smith for a memorable ending to BYU's perfect season. The Cougars would then be voted the National Champions, with the legendary LaVell Edwards being informed leading up to the East-West Shrine game.
Controversy followed, including a comment about BYU playing a "Bo Diddly Tech" schedule. The only other game that compares is the 1980 Holiday Bowl where BYU, yet again, won the game with a Hail Mary miracle, overcoming a 45-25 deficit to win 46-45.
Of course, you cannot exclude BYU's first-ever win against Wyoming. While football has evolved since then, it is still good to remember the beginning of the wonderful BYU Football Program in 1922. A single touchdown decided the game, seeing the Cougars win 7-0. After a 0-3 start, BYU finished the year 1-5, kickstarting what would be a successful and beloved football team that would continue one century later.
I doubt those players imagined BYU Football taking off the way it did, but I'm sure they had high hopes for the future. To Coach Alvin Twitchell and the first-ever BYU Football team, thank you.
In conclusion, BYU Football has produced some memorable moments on the field. From the 1980 and 1984 Holiday Bowls to beating Utah and everything in between. BYU has seen some great players, from Robby Bosco and Jim McMahon to Jamal Williams and Taysom Hill, BYU has a lot to be proud of in this past century. Here's to another season of Cougar Football!
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