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PROVO — BYU's meeting with Virginia on Saturday won't be the first. These two schools have a history that goes back to 1987.
The Cougars and Cavaliers first faced each other in the 1987 All-American Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama on Dec. 22, 1987.
Sean Covey attempted 61 passes and threw for 394 yards, and Fred Whittingham scored two touchdowns, but BYU lost to Virginia 22-16. The teams would meet again 12 years later in Provo.
The second game turned into a shootout with both teams combining for 907 yards of total offense.
BYU was burned by future NFL running back Thomas Jones who rushed for 210 yards and two touchdowns. The Cougars fell behind 28-6 in the 2nd quarter. They would rally within five points of the Cavaliers in the 3rd quarter, but could never close the gap. Virginia won the game 45-40.
The trend continued at Virginia the next season when the Cougars traveled to Charlottesville on Sept. 2, 2000, trailing 21-0 at the half.
- BYU (0-0) at Virginia (0-0)
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013
- Time: 3:30 EDT
- Site: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Va.
- TV: ESPNU
- Radio: Cougar IMG Sports Network
- Series Record: Virginia leads 2-1
- Last Meeting: 2000 (BYU 38-35)
- Kickoff Weather: Isolated t-storms, temps in the mid 80s
BYU already lost their opener to Florida State and another cross-country trip seemed to be taking its toll.
The Cougars got back into the game with three touchdown runs by Brian McDonald, but they still trailed 35-21 after Virginia running back Antwoine Womack broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run.
The Cougars kept fighting and quarterback Bret Engemann led a rally. He connected with tight end Doug Jolley for a 6-yard touchdown with 8:15 left. After the extra point, BYU trailed by just seven points.
The defense then stepped up with a big play. Virginia chose to go for it on 4th-and-1, and the BYU defense stopped them short of a first down.
Engemann, who threw for 447 yards, found Margin Hooks in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown with 52 seconds left. A desperation field goal attempt by Virginia was wide left and the game went to overtime.
Once again, the BYU defense stepped up with a big play when Tyson Smith intercepted a pass by Dan Ellis.
All BYU needed was a field goal to complete the comeback. BYU running back Marcus Whalen broke a 17-yard run on the Cougars overtime possession setting up a short field goal attempt. Owen Pochman kicked the ball through the uprights giving BYU a 38-35 come-from-behind win.
