On this date, exactly 15 years ago, the Brigham Young Cougars faced the Wyoming Cowboys in the inaugural WAC Championship game. The game was an overtime classic.
The game featured two high powered offenses. The Wyoming quarterback was leading the nation in total offense and passing yards per game.
BYU got on the board first with a 30-yard field goal 5:56 into the game. The field goal was set up by Chris Ellison intercepting the first of three passes the Cougars would pick off in the game.
BYU extended the lead to 13-0 at halftime with a Brian McKenzie touchdown run early in the second quarter, and another field goal with less than a minute to play in the half.
While the score looked right for Cougar fans, the game didn’t feel right at halftime. BYU didn’t look that sharp on offense. Tight end Itula Mili left the game with a blown out knee.
As the third quarter began, BYU lost control of the game. Wyoming got on the score board by returning a Steve Sarkisian fumble for a touchdown. The Cowboy defense shut out the Cougar offense in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Wyoming took the lead 17-13. BYU came to life and immediately answered with a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chad Lewis. That did little to take the wind out of Wyoming’s sails. Wyoming marched right down the field to retake the lead 25-20. Not even a bad snap on the extra point could stop Wyoming. The Cowboys turned it into two points.
For seven minutes, the score stayed that way. Time was running out on a BYU comeback. Wyoming, however, was in a tight spot. Facing a fourth down inside their own five-yard line, the Cowboys could punt the ball to the electric James Dye, or take a safety and use the free kick to pin BYU further back. Wyoming chose the safety.
The only problem with a safety was that it allowed for BYU to tie the game with a field goal. It was a race against time. Only 1:56 remained in the game. Could BYU move into field goal range that fast?
Not only did Sarkisian put BYU in a position to tie the game, he nearly ended the game in regulation. BYU reached the 3-yard line before calling timeout and kicking the game tying field goal as time expired. A fourth Ethan Pochman field goal in overtime won the game, 28-25.
BYU punter Alan Boardman played a terrific game out of the spotlight. He averaged 53.3 yards on his six punts with a long of 60 yards.
BYU moved up to #5 in the national rankings following this game.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
The game featured two high powered offenses. The Wyoming quarterback was leading the nation in total offense and passing yards per game.
BYU got on the board first with a 30-yard field goal 5:56 into the game. The field goal was set up by Chris Ellison intercepting the first of three passes the Cougars would pick off in the game.
BYU extended the lead to 13-0 at halftime with a Brian McKenzie touchdown run early in the second quarter, and another field goal with less than a minute to play in the half.
While the score looked right for Cougar fans, the game didn’t feel right at halftime. BYU didn’t look that sharp on offense. Tight end Itula Mili left the game with a blown out knee.
As the third quarter began, BYU lost control of the game. Wyoming got on the score board by returning a Steve Sarkisian fumble for a touchdown. The Cowboy defense shut out the Cougar offense in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Wyoming took the lead 17-13. BYU came to life and immediately answered with a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chad Lewis. That did little to take the wind out of Wyoming’s sails. Wyoming marched right down the field to retake the lead 25-20. Not even a bad snap on the extra point could stop Wyoming. The Cowboys turned it into two points.
For seven minutes, the score stayed that way. Time was running out on a BYU comeback. Wyoming, however, was in a tight spot. Facing a fourth down inside their own five-yard line, the Cowboys could punt the ball to the electric James Dye, or take a safety and use the free kick to pin BYU further back. Wyoming chose the safety.
The only problem with a safety was that it allowed for BYU to tie the game with a field goal. It was a race against time. Only 1:56 remained in the game. Could BYU move into field goal range that fast?
Not only did Sarkisian put BYU in a position to tie the game, he nearly ended the game in regulation. BYU reached the 3-yard line before calling timeout and kicking the game tying field goal as time expired. A fourth Ethan Pochman field goal in overtime won the game, 28-25.
BYU punter Alan Boardman played a terrific game out of the spotlight. He averaged 53.3 yards on his six punts with a long of 60 yards.
BYU moved up to #5 in the national rankings following this game.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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