Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO -- This week in Cougar Classic, we continue our countdown of the 13 most important wins in BYU history. No. 3 as decided by KSL viewers was a 1980 victory of the SMU Mustangs in the Holiday Bowl.
SMU's Craig James and Eric Dickerson completely dominated most of the game with a combined 335 yards and four touchdowns, including a 42-yard run by James to put the Mustangs up 45-25 with 3:58 left in the game.
Jim McMahon quickly found the end zone, cutting the lead to 45-31. With little time left, the Cougars recovered an onsides kick, marching down field for another touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.
After a failed onsides kick, BYU held SMU on three straight runs, forcing an SMU punt. Bill Schoephlin blocked the punt, putting the Cougars on SMU's 41 yard line with 13 seconds left to play. Following two incomplete passes, McMahon had one last attempt to win the game.
With a predictable Hail Mary throw, McMahon found Clay Brown amid three SMU defenders to score the game winning touchdown, beating SMU 46-45.
The Holiday Bowl was the first ever bowl win for the Cougars.
