1980 BYU Cougars football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1980 BYU Cougars football Western Athletic Conference WAC 11 12 12–1 6–1 LaVell Edwards 9th Doug Scovil 4th West Coast Fred Whittingham 2nd 4–3 Cougar Stadium WAC championHoliday Bowl champion Holiday Bowl W 46–45 vs. SMU The 1980 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University (BYU) for the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Cougars were led by ninth-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 their fifth consecutive conference title with a conference record of 6–1. After a season-opening loss to New Mexico, BYU ended on a 12-game winning streak, including a victory over SMU in the 1980 Holiday Bowl, finishing 12–1 overall and ranked 12th in the final AP Poll. The Cougars' offense scored 606 points during the season for an average of 46.6 points per game. They scored over 50 points in a game five times, including two games scoring over 70 points. Schedule 1980 AP September 6 l y New Mexico University Stadium Albuquerque, NM 21–25 16,840 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-heartbreak-lobos-ambus/158459293/ The Daily Herald Heartbreak! Lobos ambush Cougars September 7, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com September 13 w San Diego State Cougar Stadium Provo, UT ABC 35–11 36,178 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-mcmahon-byu-whi/158459411/ Wisconsin State Journal McMahon, BYU whip San Diego State September 14, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com September 20 w y y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI KBYU 28–3 71,496 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-brigham-young-boun/158459505/ The La Crosse Tribune Brigham Young bounces Badgers September 21, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 w y Long Beach State Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 41–25 37,152 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-cougars-club-49ers/158459598/ The Salt Lake Tribune Cougars club 49ers September 28, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com October 11 w y Wyoming Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 52–17 41,296 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-byu-buries-pokes-5/158459689/ The Billings Gazette BYU buries Pokes, 52–17 October 12, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 w y y Utah State Romney Stadium Logan, UT ABC 70–46 23,230 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-byu-scores-70-and/158459770/ The Los Angeles Times BYU scores 70, and gives up 46 October 19, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com October 25 w y 19 Hawaii Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI 34–7 49,139 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-gutsy-mcmahon-defense/158459908/ The Daily Herald Gutsy McMahon, defense stop Bows October 27, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 w 17 UTEP Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 83–7 36,251 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-cougars-blast-hapl/158460048/ The Salt Lake Tribune Cougars blast hapless Miners November 2, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 w y 13 North Texas State Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 41–23 36,583 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87937758/mcmahon-outsoars-eagles-with-40-50-464/ Honolulu Star-Bulletin McMahon outsoars Eagles with 40-50 – 464 and 3 TDs November 9, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 w 13 Colorado State Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 45–14 40,515 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-byu-strikes-quickly/158460181/ The Idaho Statesman BYU strikes quickly to top Colorado St. November 16, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 w y 13 Utah Robert Rice Stadium Salt Lake City, UT 56–6 30,520 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-cougars-storm-past-utes/158460304/ The Daily Herald Cougars storm past Utes, 56–6 for title November 23, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com November 29 w y y 12 UNLV Las Vegas Silver Bowl Whitney, NV 54–14 31,406 https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-idaho-press-byu-clobbers-nevlas/158452013/ South Idaho Press BYU clobbers Nev.–Las Vegas November 30, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com December 19 w y y 14 SMU 19 San Diego Stadium San Diego, CA Holiday Bowl Mizlou 46–45 50,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-last-play-td-lifts/158460426/ The Arizona Republic Last-play TD lifts BYU to 46–45 Holiday victory December 20, 1980 November 4, 2024 Newspapers.com1980 Brigham Young Cougars Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 4, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/brigham-young/1980-schedule.html Game summaries San Diego State San Diego St at BYU San Diego St 0 3 0 8 BYU 7 14 14 0 Saturday, September 13 Cougar Stadium, Provo, Utah 36,178 Source: Palm Beach Post yes 1 BYU Brown 17-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 7-0 2 SDSU Corral 47-yard field goal BYU 7-3 2 BYU Phillips 17-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 14-3 2 BYU Davis 15-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 21-3 3 BYU Lacey 12-yard blocked punt return (Gunther kick) BYU 28-3 3 BYU Brown 80-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 35-3 4 SDSU Kofler 4-yard run (Corral kick) BYU 35-11 yes Long Beach State Long Beach State at BYU Long Beach St 0 6 13 6 BYU 21 7 0 13 Saturday, September 28 Cougar Stadium, Provo, Utah 37,152 yes 1 BYU Lane 5-yard run (Gunther kick) BYU 7-0 1 BYU Jones 20-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 14-0 1 BYU Braga 28-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 21-0 2 LBS Duddridge 25-yard pass from Starkey (run failed) BYU 21-6 2 BYU Davis 2-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 28-6 3 LBS Wilson 1-yard run (pass failed) BYU 28-12 3 LBS Wilson 1-yard run (Petrosian kick) BYU 28-19 4 BYU Lane 1-yard run (Gunther kick) BYU 35-19 4 BYU Lane 13-yard pass from McMahon (kick failed) BYU 41-19 4 LBS Johnson 12-yard pass from Starkey (pass failed) BYU 41-25 yes BYU: Jim McMahon 339 Yds passing Palm Beach Post. 1980 Sept 29. Wyoming Wyoming came into the contest with a wishbone attack that was fourth in the nation in rushing and sixth in total offense at 450 yards per game while BYU featured the nation's second best passing squad behind Jim McMahon, the best statistical passer in the country. McMahon finished 22 of 31 for 408 yards and four touchdowns, his fourth straight game over 300 yards to keep his number one ranking. Wyoming attempted to rush seven and eight at McMahon but the offensive line and backs, normally featured in the passing game, did a superb job blocking. McMahon was never sacked as Nick Eyre, Lloyd Eldredge, Bart Oates, Calvin Close and Ray Linford dominated the line of scrimmage for the Cougars. With the Cowboys committing to the pass rush, McMahon threw at will to targets Dan Plater (8 receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown), Lloyd Jones (5/120, TD), Bill Davis (7/143, TD) and Clay Brown (2/61, TD), who faced one-on-one coverage and exploit this advantage. Meanwhile, BYU's defense was also strong, consistently getting into the Wyoming backfield and limiting the wishbone options for a team that came in averaging 323 yards on the ground. With the defensive line of Glen Titensor, Mike Morgan, Chuck Ehin, Pulusila Filiaga and Brad Anae shutting down the run, all the likes of Glen Redd, Kyle Whittingham, Bob Prested and Ed St. Pierre had to do was clean up. The game was decided in the first quarter as BYU scored on two of its first three possessions and Wyoming gained 30 yards rushing in four. By halftime, BYU led 17-3 and the Cowboys had only increased their rushing total to 42. "I've never seen a team compare with BYU throwing the football and I don't believe we've seen anyone physically as tough. BYU is much stronger than we are", Wyoming head coach Pat Dye said. Dye continued, "McMahon is a great quarterback. We knew the four-man rush wouldn't get to them, so we tried different things. Today, a four-man rush or a seven-man rush didn't make any difference." "Y. football stock up again." The Deseret News. Bill Ewer. 13 Oct 1980. At Utah BYU Cougars 2; text-align:center collapsed #13 BYU Cougars (9–1) at Utah Utes (6–2–1) November 22, 1980 BYU 7 14 21 14 Utah 0 0 0 6 Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah 30,520 Light rain, 42 F C Box Score First quarter BYU – Eric Lane 1-yard run (Kurt Gunther kick). BYU 7–0. Second quarter BYU – Jim McMahon 7-yard run (Kurt Gunther kick). BYU 14–0. BYU – Clay Brown 5-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kurt Gunther kick), 1:47. BYU 21–0. Third quarter BYU – Eric Lane 11-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kurt Gunther kick). BYU 28–0. BYU – Eric Lane 1-yard run (Kurt Gunther kick). BYU 35–0. BYU – Clay Brown 76-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kurt Gunther kick). BYU 42–0. Fourth quarter UTAH – Hilria Johnson 1-yard run (pass failed). BYU 42–6. BYU – Steve Carlsen 1-yard run (Kurt Gunther kick). BYU 49–6. BYU – Scott Pettis 5-yard run (Kurt Gunther kick). BYU 56–6. Top passers BYU – Jim McMahon – 21/34, 399 yards, 3 TD, INT UTAH – Ricky Hardin – 19/31, 258 yards, 2 INT Top rushers BYU – Scott Pettis – 4 rushes, 81 yards, TD UTAH – Tony Lindsay – 22 rushes, 93 yards Top receivers BYU – Clay Brown – 5 receptions, 184 yards, 2 TD UTAH – James Teahan – 7 receptions, 92 yards BYU clinched its third straight Holiday Bowl berth and its fifth straight Western Athletic Conference title with the victory over their in-state rivals. Jim McMahon completed 21 of 34 passes for 399 yards, an NCAA record tenth straight game over 300 yards passing. McMahon also broke San Diego State's Dennis Shaw's 1969 single-season touchdown pass record of 39 with his first scoring toss and later surpassed Shaw for most total touchdowns in a single season (45). "Brigham Young Crushes Utah." Ocala Star-Banner. 1980 Nov 23 "BYU breezes." Eugene Register-Guard. 1980 Nov 23. right 1980 BYU at Utah – Highlights Holiday Bowl Holiday BowlSMU vs. BYU SMU 19 10 9 7 BYU 7 6 6 27 December 19 Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California 50,200 yes 1 SMU Eric Dickerson 15-yard run (Eddie Garcia kick) SMU 7-0 1 SMU Craig James 45-yard run (Eddie Garcia kick) SMU 14-0 1 SMU Safety, centered out of end zone SMU 16-0 1 SMU Eddie Garcia 42-yard field goal SMU 19-0 1 BYU Clay Brown 64-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kurt Gunther kick) SMU 19-7 2 SMU Craig James 3-yard pass from Lance McIlhenny (Eddie Garcia kick) SMU 26-7 2 SMU Eddie Garcia 44-yard field goal SMU 29-7 2 BYU Vai Sikahema 83-yard punt return (pass failed) SMU 29-13 3 SMU Eric Dickerson 1-yard run (pass failed) SMU 35-13 3 BYU Clay Brown 13-yard pass from Jim McMahon (pass failed) SMU 35-19 3 SMU Eddie Garcia 42-yard field goal SMU 38-19 4 BYU Scott Phillips 1-yard run (pass failed) SMU 38-25 4 SMU Craig James 42-yard run (Eddie Garcia kick) SMU 45-25 4 BYU Matt Braga 15-yard pass from Jim McMahon (pass failed) SMU 45-31 4 BYU Scott Phillips 1-yard run (Scott Phillips pass from Jim McMahon) SMU 45-39 4 :00 BYU Clay Brown 41-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kurt Gunther kick) BYU 46-45 yes My Favorite Bowl Games. https://web.archive.org/web/20130309201722/http://www.mmbolding.com/bowls/Holiday_1980.htm 2013-03-09 Retrieved December 26, 2012.CougarStats. Retrieved December 26, 2012 Personnel 1980 BYU Cougars f 57 Fr Robert Anae OG C y 85 Sr Clay Brown Clay Brown (American football) TE y 88 Sr Bill Davis WR 72 Sr Nick Eyre T y 2 Fr Bruce Hansen Bruce Hansen (American football) RB y 95 Fr Gordon Hudson TE y 36 Sr Eric Lane Eric Lane (American football) RB y 52 So Trevor Matich C y 9 RJr Jim McMahon QB y 50 So Bart Oates C y 64 Sr Andy Reid T y 23 Fr Vai Sikahema RB y 8 Fr Steve Young QB y 93 Jr Brad Anae DE 78 So Chuck Ehin DT y 46 So Tom Holmoe DB y 66 Fr Doug Kellermeyer DT yes 77 So Mike Morgan DE 41 Sr Glen Redd LB y 47 Fr Todd Shell LB y 59 Jr Kyle Whittingham LB y 10 Fr Lee Johnson K y Lee Johnson (punter) https://byucougars.com/sports/football/roster/season/1980 *LaVell Edwards Norm Chow (WR) Dick Felt (DB) Roger French (OL) Garth Hall (RB) Mel Olsen (JV) Tom Ramage (DL) Doug Scovil (OC/QB) Fred Whittingham (LB) References BYU Category:BYU Cougars football seasons Category:Western Athletic Conference football champion seasons Category:Holiday Bowl champion seasons BYU Cougars football