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PROVO -- This week in Cougar Classic, we continue our countdown of the 13 most important wins in BYU history. No. 4 as decided by KSL viewers was a 1997 victory of the Kansas State Wildcats in the Cotton Bowl.
BYU started the game out strong after a safety and field goal gave the Cougars a 5-0 lead in the first quarter. However, Kansas State had different plans as their quarterback Matt Kavanagh connected with his receiver on a Hail Mary pass for a touchdown to put the Wildcats up 7-5 going into halftime.
The Wildcats would extend their lead in the third quarter when Kavanagh connected with Kevin Lockett for a 72-yard touchdown.
BYU trailed 15-5 entering the final quarter, but that's when BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian took control of the game.
Sarkisian quickly shot off a deep pass, finding James Dye for a touchdown, closing the gap to three points. In the final minutes of the game, Sarkisian found Kealaluhi for a touchdown pass, putting the Cougars up 19-15.
As the Wildcats marched their way down field, Omarr Morgan came up with a huge defensive play, intercepting Kavanagh's pass and securing a BYU victory.
After the game, Sarkisian said: "Our defense won this football game for us; they gave us a chance. [Kansas State] gave us no respect and we hammered them in the fourth quarter. I have no respect for that football team."
