The 1984 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University (BYU) in the 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Cougars were led by 13th-year head coach LaVell Edwards and played their home games at Cougar Stadium in Provo, Utah. The team competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference, winning the conference for the ninth consecutive year. The Cougars finished the regular season as the only undefeated team in Division I-A, and secured their first ever national title by defeating Michigan in the 1984 Holiday Bowl.
Quick Facts BYU Cougars football, Consensus national championWAC championHoliday Bowl champion ...
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More information Conf, Overall ...
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A number of pollsters and coaches were reluctant to name the Cougars as national champion, partly because they believed BYU's schedule was too weak. Only two of BYU's opponents won at least seven games. They had played only one ranked opponent all season, preseason #3 Pittsburgh, a team that would finish 3–7–1 and unranked. No other team in the WAC was even close to being their equal; the Cougars were the only team in the league with fewer than four overall losses. In the end, BYU was ranked number one in both major final polls, the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.[1] The team was named national champion by NCAA-designated major selectors of AP, Billingsley, Football Research, FW, National Football Foundation, Poling, UPI, and USA/CNN, while named co-champion by both National Championship Foundation and Sagarin (ELO-Chess).[2]
To date, the 1984 Cougars are the last team from outside a "power conference" to win a national title. It is widely believed that the various systems devised over the years with a view toward deciding the national championship on the field, with their emphasis on strength of schedule, make it extremely difficult for a team outside the power conferences to be considered for championship contention.[1]
More information Date, Opponent ...
Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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September 1 | at No. 3 Pittsburgh* | | | ESPN | W 20–14 | 40,263 |
September 8 | Baylor* | No. 13 | | | W 47–13 | 63,705 |
September 15 | Tulsa* | No. 8 | | | W 38–15 | 64,237 |
September 22 | at Hawaii | No. 6 | | | W 18–13 | 50,000 |
October 6 | at Colorado State | No. 7 | | | W 52–9 | 28,671 |
October 13 | Wyoming | No. 5 | | | W 41–38 | 64,839 |
October 20 | at Air Force | No. 7 | | ABC | W 30–25 | 30,469 |
October 25 | at New Mexico | No. 5 | | ESPN | W 48–0 | 19,227 |
November 3 | UTEP | No. 4 | | | W 42–9 | 62,530 |
November 10 | San Diego State | No. 4 | | | W 34–3 | 64,050 |
November 17 | at Utah | No. 3 | | KUTV | W 24–14 | 36,110 |
November 24 | Utah State* | No. 1 | | | W 38–13 | 65,580 |
December 21 | vs. Michigan* | No. 1 | | ESPN | W 24–17 | 61,243 |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
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More information Players, Coaches ...
1984 BYU Cougars football team roster |
Players |
Coaches |
Offense
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Defense
Pos. | # | Name | Class |
LB |
51 |
Ladd Akeo |
So |
DB |
22 |
Mark Allen |
Sr |
LB |
49 |
Marv Allen |
Sr |
LB |
31 |
John Bechtold |
So |
LB |
37 |
Alema Fitisemanu |
LB |
34 |
Kurt Gouveia |
Jr |
DL |
78 |
Larry Hamilton |
DB |
42 |
Steve Haymond |
DB |
2 |
Brian Hazelgren |
DE |
92 |
Jim Herrmann |
Sr |
LB |
57 |
Richard Hobbs |
DL |
96 |
Jay Huckaby |
DL |
77 |
Shawn Knight |
DL |
76 |
Tim Knight |
DB |
9 |
Rob Ledenko |
DL |
80 |
Ty Mattingly |
LB |
44 |
Jim McDade |
LB |
96 |
Jay McDonald |
DB |
5 |
Kyle Morrell |
Sr |
LB |
55 |
David Neff |
DB |
27 |
Kory Rasmussen |
So |
LB |
59 |
Steve Sanders |
DB |
5 |
Marc Sherman |
DB |
24 |
Shane Shumway |
DL |
76 |
Brad Smith |
DL |
65 |
Ken Smith |
DB |
25 |
Jeff Sprowls |
DB |
3 |
Rodney Thomas |
LB |
9 |
JC VonCollin |
LB |
41 |
Leon White |
Jr |
LB |
53 |
Cary Whittingham |
Jr |
DB |
14 |
Jeff Wilcox |
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Special teams
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- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
- Injured
- Redshirt
Roster Last update: 2017-Jan-01 |
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More information Week, Poll ...
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked ( ) = First-place votes | Week |
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
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AP | — | 13 | 8 (1) | 6 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 (3) | 4 (4) | 4 | 3 (11) | 1 (40) | 1 (34) | 1 (33) | 1 (38) |
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Coaches | — | 12 | 6 (1) | 4 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 (1) | 4 (1) | 3 (5) | 4 (4) | 3 (12) | 1 (30) | 1 (21) | 1 (24) | 1 (28) |
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At No. 3 Pittsburgh
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Cougars |
0 |
3 | 6 | 11 |
20 |
No. 3 Panthers |
0 |
0 | 14 | 0 |
14 |
|
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Scoring summary |
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| 2 | | BYU | Lee Johnson 37-yard field goal | BYU 3–0 |
| 3 | | Pitt | Bill Callahan 78-yard interception return (kick) | Pitt 7–3 |
11:35 | Pitt | Marc Bailey 1-yard run (kick) | Pitt 14–3 |
| BYU | Lakai Heimuli 12-yard run (pass failed) | Pitt 14–9 |
| 4 | | BYU | Lee Johnson 23-yard field goal | Pitt 14–12 |
1:37 | BYU | Adam Haysbert 50-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Bosco run) | BYU 20–14 |
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[3]
Baylor
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Bears |
7 |
0 | 0 | 6 |
13 |
• No. 13 Cougars |
21 |
13 | 7 | 6 |
47 |
|
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | BYU | Glen Kozlowski 2-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (kick blocked) | BYU 6–0 |
| BYU | David Mills 39-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Glen Kozlowski pass from Robbie Bosco) | BYU 14–0 |
| Baylor | Glenn Pruitt 28-yard pass from Tom Muecke (Jim Mueller kick) | BYU 14–7 |
| BYU | Glen Kozlowski 10-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 21–7 |
| 2 | | BYU | Kelly Smith 2-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 28–7 |
| BYU | Kelly Smith 23-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (kick blocked) | BYU 34–7 |
| 3 | | BYU | David Mills 15-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 41–7 |
| 4 | | Baylor | Ralph Stockemer 1-yard run (pass failed) | BYU 41–13 |
| BYU | Fred Whittingham 1-yard run (kick failed) | BYU 47–13 |
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Tulsa
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Golden Hurricane |
0 |
6 | 3 | 6 |
15 |
• No. 8 Cougars |
14 |
7 | 3 | 14 |
38 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | BYU | Vai Sikahema 89-yard punt return (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 7–0 |
| BYU | David Mills 7-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 14–0 |
| 2 | | BYU | Lakei Heimuli (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 21–0 |
| Tulsa | Jason Staurovsky 32-yard field goal | BYU 21–3 |
| Tulsa | Jason Staurovsky 30-yard field goal | BYU 21–6 |
| 3 | | BYU | Lee Johnson 25-yard field goal | BYU 24–6 |
| Tulsa | Jason Staurovsky 46-yard field goal | BYU 24–9 |
| 4 | | BYU | Robbie Bosco 33-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 31–9 |
| Tulsa | Ronnie Kelley 4-yard pass from Steve Gage (pass failed) | BYU 31–15 |
| BYU | Robbie Parker 3-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 38–15 |
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At Hawaii
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 6 Cougars |
3 |
9 | 0 | 6 |
18 |
Rainbows |
0 |
10 | 0 | 3 |
13 |
- Date: September 22
- Location: Aloha Stadium
- Game weather: Clear; 78 °F (26 °C)
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Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | | BYU | Johnson 46 yard field goal | BYU 3–0 |
| Q2 | | BYU | Johnson 36 yard field goal | BYU 6–0 |
| Q2 | | BYU | Kel. Smith 4 yard run (pass failed) | BYU 12–0 |
| Q2 | | HAW | Aguiar recovered blocked punt in end zone (Spelman kick) | BYU 12–7 |
| Q2 | | HAW | Spelman 33 yard field goal | BYU 12–10 |
| Q4 | | HAW | Spelman 17 yard field goal | HAW 13–12 |
| Q4 | | BYU | Kozlowski 25 yard pass from Bosco (pass failed) | BYU 18–13 |
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[4]
At Colorado State
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 7 Cougars |
21 |
17 | 7 | 7 |
52 |
Rams |
3 |
0 | 0 | 6 |
9 |
- Date: October 6
- Location: Hughes Stadium
- Game attendance: 28,671
- Game weather: Sunny; 64 °F (18 °C)
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|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | BYU | Lakei Leimuli 7-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 7–0 |
| BYU | Kelly Smith 40-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 14–0 |
| BYU | Kelly Smith 41-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 21–0 |
| CSU | Steve DeLine 32-yard field goal | BYU 21–3 |
| 2 | | BYU | Robbie Bosco 2-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 28–3 |
| BYU | Kelly Smith 8-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 35–3 |
| BYU | Lee Johnson 38-yard field goal | BYU 38–3 |
| 3 | | BYU | Robert Parker 28-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 45–3 |
| 4 | | BYU | Richard Orr 17-yard pass from Blaine Fowler | BYU 52–3 |
| CSU | Bill Sherman 5-yard pass from Rod Trumper (pass failed) | BYU 52–9 |
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Wyoming
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cowboys |
7 |
13 | 18 | 0 |
38 |
• No. 5 Cougars |
14 |
7 | 12 | 8 |
41 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | BYU | David Mills 44-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 7–0 |
| BYU | Kelly Smith 6-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 14–0 |
| Wyo | Allyn Griffin 64-yard pass from Kevin Lowe (Andrew Cottingham kick) | BYU 14–7 |
| 2 | | BYU | Mark Bellini 9-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 21–7 |
| Wyo | Allyn Griffin 37-yard pass from Scott Runyan (Andrew Cottingham kick) | BYU 21–14 |
| Wyo | Oliver Davis 77-yard punt return (kick failed) | BYU 21–20 |
| 3 | | Wyo | Dave Evans 14-yard run (pass failed) | Wyo 26–21 |
| BYU | Lakei Heimuli 8-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (pass failed) | BYU 27–26 |
| Wyo | Jeff Westphal 1-yard run (pass failed) | Wyo 32–27 |
| BYU | David Mills 31-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (pass failed) | BYU 33–32 |
| Wyo | Kevin Lowe 61-yard run (pass failed) | Wyo 38–33 |
| 4 | | BYU | David Mills 14-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (David Mills pass from Robbie Bosco) | BYU 41–38 |
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- Robbie Bosco 29-44, 384 yards, 5 TD
- David Mills 7 receptions, 136 yards, 3 TD
Quick Facts External videos ...
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At Air Force
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 7 Cougars |
7 |
7 | 13 | 3 |
30 |
Falcons |
7 |
2 | 10 | 6 |
25 |
- Date: October 20
- Location: Falcon Stadium
- Game attendance: 30,469
- Game weather: Overcast, periods of snow; 36 °F (2 °C)
- Television network: ABC
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|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | AF | Jody Simmons 2-yard run (Carlos Mateos kick) | Air Force 7–0 |
| BYU | Mark Bellini 52-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | | AF | Safety, Mike Chandler tackled Robbie Bosco in end zone | Air Force 9–7 |
| BYU | Glen Kozlowski 22-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 14–9 |
| 3 | | BYU | Kelly Smith 56-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 21–9 |
| AF | Kevin Fleming 57-yard pass from Bart Weiss (Carlos Mateos kick) | BYU 21–16 |
| AF | Carlos Mateos 46-yard field goal | BYU 21–19 |
| BYU | David Mills 54-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (kick failed) | BYU 27–19 |
| 4 | | AF | Bart Weiss 2-yard run (run failed) | BYU 27–25 |
| BYU | Lee Johnson 27-yard field goal | BYU 30–25 |
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- Robbie Bosco 28-41, 484 yards, 4 TD, INT
At New Mexico
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 5 Cougars |
7 |
17 | 24 | 0 |
48 |
Lobos |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
- Date: October 25
- Location: University Stadium
- Game attendance: 19,277
- Game weather: Mostly cloudy; 50 °F (10 °C)
- Television network: ESPN
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|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | BYU | Glen Kozlowski 7-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 7–0 |
| 2 | | BYU | Lee Johnson 17-yard field goal | BYU 10–0 |
| BYU | Vai Sikahema 47-yard punt return (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 17–0 |
| BYU | Lakei Heimuli 2-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 24–0 |
| 3 | | BYU | Lakei Heimuli 33-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 31–0 |
| BYU | Lee Johnson 47-yard field goal | BYU 34–0 |
| BYU | Glen Kozlowski 10-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 41–0 |
| BYU | Glen Kozlowski 3-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Pete Rossi kick) | BYU 48–0 |
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UTEP
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Miners |
0 |
3 | 0 | 6 |
9 |
• No. 4 Cougars |
14 |
7 | 21 | 0 |
42 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | BYU | Glen Kozlowski 24-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 7–0 |
| BYU | Adam Haysbert 4-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 14–0 |
| 2 | | BYU | Mark Bellini 11-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 21–0 |
| UTEP | Hugo Castellanos 27-yard field goal | BYU 21–3 |
| 3 | | BYU | Lakei Heimuli 13-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 28–3 |
| BYU | Kelly Smith 12-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 35–3 |
| BYU | Adam Haysbert 6-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 42–3 |
| 4 | | UTEP | Robert Moore 3-yard run (pass failed) | BYU 42–9 |
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San Diego State
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Aztecs |
3 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
3 |
• No. 4 Cougars |
14 |
10 | 3 | 7 |
34 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | SDSU | Chris O'Brien 27-yard field goal | SDSU 3–0 |
| BYU | Glen Kozlowski 17-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 7–3 |
| BYU | Kelly Smith 40-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 14–3 |
| 2 | | BYU | Lakei Heimuli 2-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 21–3 |
| BYU | Lee Johnson 42-yard field goal | BYU 24–3 |
| 3 | | BYU | Lee Johnson 32-yard field goal | BYU 27–3 |
| 4 | | BYU | Glen Kozlowski 9-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 34–3 |
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At Utah
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
BYU at Utah
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 3 Cougars |
7 |
3 | 7 | 7 |
24 |
Utes |
7 |
0 | 7 | 0 |
14 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 8:54 | UTAH | Moloani Hola 1 yard run (Andre Guardi kick) | Utah 7–0 |
| 1 | 2:41 | BYU | Adam Haysbert 11 yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | 0:02 | BYU | Lee Johnson 19 yard field goal | BYU 10–7 |
| 3 | 8:11 | BYU | Glen Kozlowski 19 yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 17–7 |
| 3 | 1:35 | UTAH | Thomas Beard 11 yard pass from Mark Stevens (Andre Guardi kick) | BYU 17–14 |
| 4 | 7:26 | BYU | Kelly Smith 4 yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 24–14 |
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[5]
Utah State
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Aggies |
0 |
7 | 6 | 0 |
13 |
• No. 1 Cougars |
10 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
38 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | BYU | Lakei Heimuli 8-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 7–0 |
| BYU | Lee Johnson 22-yard field goal | BYU 10–0 |
| 2 | | BYU | Vai Sikahema 2-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 17–0 |
| USU | Tracy Duckworth 3-yard pass from Gym Kimball (Willie Beecher kick) | BYU 17–7 |
| 3 | | USU | Willie Beecher 26-yard field goal | BYU 17–10 |
| BYU | Mark Bellini 19-yard pass from Robbie Bosco (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 24–10 |
| USU | Willie Beecher 46-yard field goal | BYU 24–13 |
| 4 | | BYU | Lakei Heimuli 4-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 31–13 |
| BYU | Vai Sikahema 26-yard run (Lee Johnson kick) | BYU 38–13 |
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[6]
[7]
Vs. Michigan (Holiday Bowl)
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Wolverines |
0 |
7 | 7 | 3 |
17 |
• No. 1 Cougars |
0 |
10 | 0 | 14 |
24 |
- Date: December 21
- Location: Jack Murphy Stadium
- Game attendance: 61,243
- Game weather: Clear; 51 °F (11 °C)
- Television network: ESPN
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|
Scoring summary |
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| 2 | | BYU | Kel. Smith 5 yard run (Johnson kick) | BYU 7–0 |
| MICH | Rogers 5 yard run (Bergeron kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| BYU | Johnson 31 yard field goal | BYU 10–7 |
| 3 | | MICH | Perryman 10 yard pass from Zurbrugg (Bergeron kick) | MICH 14–10 |
| 4 | | MICH | Bergeron 32 yard field goal | MICH 17–10 |
| BYU | Kozlowski 7 yard pass from Bosco (Johnson kick) | Tie 17–17 |
| BYU | Kel. Smith 13 yard pass from Bosco (Johnson kick) | BYU 24–17 |
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[8][9]
The following were selected in the 1985 NFL draft.
More information Player, Position ...
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"Awards". www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.