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The Brigham Young Cougars fans knew this day was coming. Their feelings were mixed. They knew Ty Detmer couldn’t stay forever. Yet, they never wanted him to leave. The Detmer era had been surreal. Nevertheless, on November 23, 1991, versus the Utah Utes, Detmer played his final home and regular season game as a BYU Cougar. What did the fans want to see in his final game? Nothing special, a typical Detmer game would suffice.
A typical Detmer game, however, was rather atypical and special. It included passing for 300+ yards, throwing 3 or more touchdown passes, playing very efficient, sitting down early, and breaking a few records.
Detmer didn’t disappoint.
He passed for 378 yards. He threw 5 touchdown passes, and ran for another. He had a pass efficiency rating of 214.7. He took a seat early in the 48-17 win. He turned something bad into something good (Utah led 10-0). He even managed to break some records that he had not yet broken.
Detmer tossed a 97-yard touchdown pass early in the game for a new school record. He finished the season with over 4,000 yards passing for the third straight year for a new NCAA record. This was his seventh game with 5 touchdown passes or more, which was probably another new NCAA record.
Detmer reached a few milestones for his career totals as well (actual totals in parentheses).
15,000 yards passing (15,031)
120 touchdown passes (121)
130 touchdowns responsible for (135)
The cherry on top was the fact that Detmer became the first BYU quarterback to beat Utah three times as a starter.
It was vintage Detmer. The game could not have been scripted and turned out any better. The win secured another WAC Championship and Holiday Bowl berth. BYU could have played an opponent other than Utah for the final game, just like 1988, 1989, and 1990. BYU could have played the final game of the season on the road, just like 1988, 1989, and 1990. Detmer’s stats were gaudy. Detmer had to lead a comeback, but the game was far from being a nail biter.
Detmer had enjoyed a storybook career at BYU, and it was given an appropriate storybook ending.
Ty’s Take
It was kind of an emotional time; the last time you play in Cougar Stadium. You want to do well and finish on top. It was a big win, especially against Utah. We were coming off the tie with San Diego State, so we knew we had a piece of the conference championship. It was just a game to go out there and it was almost like icing on the cake: a chance to play Utah at home for the outright conference championship. I was excited to be playing the game, and was a little emotional knowing it would be the last time I would be out there.
10. The Essence of Ty Detmer
9. BYU Retires Ty Detmer's Jersey
8. Down, But Never Out
7. Unstoppable and Unprecedented
6. First Career Start
5. Final Home Game
4. Winning The Starting Quarterback Job
3. Joining the BYU Quarterback Club
2. Beating the Best--#1 Miami
1. Winning the Heisman Trophy
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
The Brigham Young Cougars fans knew this day was coming. Their feelings were mixed. They knew Ty Detmer couldn’t stay forever. Yet, they never wanted him to leave. The Detmer era had been surreal. Nevertheless, on November 23, 1991, versus the Utah Utes, Detmer played his final home and regular season game as a BYU Cougar. What did the fans want to see in his final game? Nothing special, a typical Detmer game would suffice.
A typical Detmer game, however, was rather atypical and special. It included passing for 300+ yards, throwing 3 or more touchdown passes, playing very efficient, sitting down early, and breaking a few records.
Detmer didn’t disappoint.
He passed for 378 yards. He threw 5 touchdown passes, and ran for another. He had a pass efficiency rating of 214.7. He took a seat early in the 48-17 win. He turned something bad into something good (Utah led 10-0). He even managed to break some records that he had not yet broken.
Detmer tossed a 97-yard touchdown pass early in the game for a new school record. He finished the season with over 4,000 yards passing for the third straight year for a new NCAA record. This was his seventh game with 5 touchdown passes or more, which was probably another new NCAA record.
Detmer reached a few milestones for his career totals as well (actual totals in parentheses).
15,000 yards passing (15,031)
120 touchdown passes (121)
130 touchdowns responsible for (135)
The cherry on top was the fact that Detmer became the first BYU quarterback to beat Utah three times as a starter.
It was vintage Detmer. The game could not have been scripted and turned out any better. The win secured another WAC Championship and Holiday Bowl berth. BYU could have played an opponent other than Utah for the final game, just like 1988, 1989, and 1990. BYU could have played the final game of the season on the road, just like 1988, 1989, and 1990. Detmer’s stats were gaudy. Detmer had to lead a comeback, but the game was far from being a nail biter.
Detmer had enjoyed a storybook career at BYU, and it was given an appropriate storybook ending.
Ty’s Take
It was kind of an emotional time; the last time you play in Cougar Stadium. You want to do well and finish on top. It was a big win, especially against Utah. We were coming off the tie with San Diego State, so we knew we had a piece of the conference championship. It was just a game to go out there and it was almost like icing on the cake: a chance to play Utah at home for the outright conference championship. I was excited to be playing the game, and was a little emotional knowing it would be the last time I would be out there.
10. The Essence of Ty Detmer
9. BYU Retires Ty Detmer's Jersey
8. Down, But Never Out
7. Unstoppable and Unprecedented
6. First Career Start
5. Final Home Game
4. Winning The Starting Quarterback Job
3. Joining the BYU Quarterback Club
2. Beating the Best--#1 Miami
1. Winning the Heisman Trophy
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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