Two Sides To Every Story

It has been said there's two sides of every story much like a coin toss. With a tradition rich history as the Cougs football story has there are numerous games to pick and choose from the good and the bad ones. Having such a tradition and so many to choose from made the selections rather difficult. Listed below were 5 from each category (ones incredibly memorable and ones that hurt the most) chosen.



GOOD (84 Holiday Bowl-BYU24 Michigan17) This particular matchup lived up to all the drama and excitement. Robbie Bosco was forced to the sideline with an injured knee and ankle. However, late in the game Bosco came back playing despite the injury and tossed a 13 yd pass to Kelly Smith with 1:23 remaining making it 24-17. Two plays later Marv Allen up intercepting a pass securing the perfect season #1 ranking and nationship championship.
BAD (03 Season-Utah3 BYU0) Definately left a bitter taste in the mouth of true blue fans and was truly hard to swallow. Not only was the Cougs scoring streak on the line but it had to be snapped by the school up North.

GOOD (80 Holiday Bowl-BYU46 SMU45) A tale of two tales. The first clearly owned by the Mustangs and the pony express (Craig James & Eric Dickerson) that lasted nearly all four quarters. Most fans either turned off the tv sets or left the stadium. What resulted in the final four minutes can only be described as the Miracle Bowl. It may have been the most exciting bowl game ever with the Cougs scoring 21 in the final 2:33 ending with a Jim McMahon hail mary pass of 41 yards caught by Clay Brown as time expired.
BAD (90 Holiday Bowl-Texas A/M65 BYU14) Led by QB Bucky Richardson and All American RB Darren Lewis Texas A/M were out to show they belonged among the elite. The Cougs came in not fully physically ready. Both DBs Tony Crutchfield and Norm Dixon weren't able to suit up including Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer playing with a shoulder seperation. Aggie players had it out for Detmer with the game even out of hand when William Thomas applied a crunching sack on Detmer's shoulder. This became ugly and personal but was somewhat rectified when in 96 the Cougs had another shot at A/M and won 41 to 37.

GOOD (94 Season-BYU21 Notre Dame14) Despite playing at the house that Rockne built the Cougs were not awestruck in South Bend. John Walsh threw for over 200 yards and Jamal Willis went for over 150 all purpose yards. That day the Cougs played like champions.
BAD (88 Season-Utah57 BYU18) Anytime you get absolutely mauled (probably the worst of the Holy War series) by a school especially your rival team up North its hard not to have a bitter taste. If there was a consolation the Cougars did win the Freedom Bowl two weeks later in Anaheim over Colorado.

GOOD (96 Cotton Bowl-BYU19 Kansas St15) In keeping the nations longest winning streak alive the Cougs had to come from behind. It was BYUs first ever New Year's day appearance. KSU drove nearly the length of the field before the Cougs defense stood strong with an Omarr Morgan interception securing the victory.
BAD (05 Season-TCU51 BYU50 in OT) How can an offense score 50 points and still NOT win the ballgame? Absolutely amazing. Controversial call or not the BYUs defense should have never put themselves in such a situation to decide a game.

GOOD(90 Season-BYU28 Miami21) With two heavyweights trading jabs the Cougs were able to outlast the defending national champs who went into this matchup ranked #1. Despite 6 turnovers in the contest Ty Detmer likely vaulted his name to the Heisman forefront (at the time) with the victory including a future induction into the College Football Hall Of Fame as one of the NCAAs most prolific passers ever.
BAD (91 Season-SD State52 BYU52) The game that never ended in Jack Murphy Stadium. Over 1,462 total yards of offense resulted. Freshman Darnay Scott had 8 REC for 243 yards while Marshall Faulk ran for 119. Ty Detmer was never better facing a 45-17 third quarter deficit in a game as the Cougs played without the services of 2 of its top 3 CBs. With the help of Jamal Willis and Detmer instincts the BYU were able to bounce back strong to tie the game.