However, the Cougars, led by the charismatic quarterback Jim McMahon, refused to surrender. BYU scored quickly, recovered an onside kick, and then blocked a punt to ignite a furious comeback. With time dwindling, the Cougars faced a daunting challenge: trailing 45-39 with the ball on the SMU 41-yard line. In a desperate gamble, McMahon launched a Hail Mary pass towards the end zone. Miraculously, the ball found its mark, landing in the waiting arms of tight end Clay Brown. The ensuing extra point proved to be the difference, as BYU completed an astonishing comeback, securing a 46-45 victory in one of the most dramatic finishes in bowl game history.