By Darin It was the ultimate showcase of the “Pony Express” offense versus the unstoppable will of a young quarterback named Jim McMahon. The 1980 Holiday Bowl in San Diego, pitting the #14 BYU Cougars against the #19 SMU Mustangs, was already a high-scoring thriller. But with under four minutes left, and trailing by 20 points, what happened next transcended competition and became known simply as the “Miracle Bowl.” Witness how one of the greatest comebacks in college football history unfolded, fueled by daring plays, defensive magic, and a dramatic Hail Mary that is still unbelievable today.
Article from Dec 20, 1980 The Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Game Summary
The date was December 19, 1980. This Holiday Bowl clash was instantly historic. The Cougars, led by future NFL star Jim McMahon, found themselves in a seemingly insurmountable hole against the explosive SMU team. The Mustangs had built a comfortable cushion, and the Cougars trailed 45-25 with only 3:57 left in the game. Most fans had already mentally marked this game as an SMU victory, but the BYU sideline refused to quit. The ensuing four minutes became a legendary blur of clutch execution and unbelievable luck. The Cougars recovered a pivotal onside kick and blocked a crucial punt, providing the short fields and extra possessions needed to rapidly narrow the margin. Trailing 45-39 with the ball at the SMU 41 on the final play, BYU quarterback Jim McMahon threw a Hail Mary pass, which somehow ended up in the arms of tight end Clay Brown. Kurt Gunther’s extra point split the uprights, winning the game 46-45.
Conclusion:
The 1980 Holiday Bowl remains the definitive college football comeback story. The “Miracle Bowl” was not just a victory; it was a testament to the never-say-die attitude of BYU and Jim McMahon. The dramatic final minutes—featuring the onside kick, the blocked punt, and the iconic, game-winning Hail Mary to Clay Brown—cemented this game’s place in sports history, inspiring countless improbable comebacks that followed and proving that no lead is safe until the clock hits zero.
