BYU coach LaVell Edwards and Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz speak at midfield following the Cougars’ victory on Oct. 15, 1994. The 2 groups meet once more Saturday in Las Vegas. Mark Philbrick, BYU Picture
BYU’s Jonny Harline makes a landing catch towards Notre Dame’s Chinedum Ndukwe in South Bend, Indiana, Oct. 22, 2005. The Cougars have been on the quick finish of the stick that day, however get one other crack on the Irish in Las Vegas this Saturday. Tom Good, Deseret Information
Beating the chances. It’s a quest that has captured the eye of mankind for the reason that starting of time. We love our Cinderella tales. Some are as massive as David taking down Goliath, whereas others are so simple as balancing the checkbook.
No. 16 BYU has a historical past of beating the chances and the Cougars will roll into Las Vegas on Saturday to problem Notre Dame at Allegiant Stadium (5:30 p.m. MDT, NBC) as a three-point underdog. Can BYU show the naysayers unsuitable and upend the favored Irish? It’s definitely in play.
That’s as a result of LaVell Edwards modified all of it when he took the top job 50 years in the past and BYU has been beating the chances ever since.
To wit ...
• When the nationwide energy applications have been operating the soccer, Edwards determined to throw it. He knew there was a distinction between the BYU athlete of his day and those at locations like Notre Dame. Energy soccer wasn’t going to work in Provo. He gambled on the move, beat the chances and gained 257 video games.
• Profitable a nationwide championship as a member of a non-power convention is an extended shot; just one crew has achieved it within the final 77 years. Quarterback Robbie Bosco and the Cougars defeated Michigan 24-17 within the 1984 Vacation Bowl to complete the season ranked No. 1 at 13-0. BYU beat the chances and gained the nationwide title.
• A quarterback from the Western Athletic Convention had by no means gained the coveted Heisman Trophy as the perfect participant in school soccer. BYU junior quarterback Ty Detmer threw for five,309 yards and 42 touchdowns in 1990 and upset No. 1 Miami. He beat the chances, and Notre Dame’s public relations machine, which was pushing its personal Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, to win the Heisman Trophy.
• The considered a BYU operating again successful the nation’s Doak Walker Award as the highest operating again within the nation is as far-fetched because the Cougars successful a nationwide championship or Heisman Trophy. Luke Staley rushed for 1,582 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2001, outperforming the studs at Wisconsin, UCLA and Tennessee. Staley beat the chances and gained the trophy.
• Not proud of the state of affairs within the Mountain West Convention, BYU determined to go unbiased in soccer in 2011. Whereas some questioned the long-term feasibility of the transfer, the Cougars rolled the cube, believing that they have been higher off with their very own tv companions (ESPN/BYUtv) and controlling their very own scheduling.
• BYU wager on an eventual P5 invitation and patiently waited for 11 years. A name from the Large 12 got here final September and the Cougars will be a part of the league subsequent July. BYU beat the chances of surviving as an unbiased.
• When the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world in 2019, BYU, dwelling free from the restrictions of a convention, managed its personal testing procedures and well being tips. Whereas most soccer applications have been opting out of the season, the Cougars declared they have been all in. Consequently, BYU turned a mainstay on ESPN, which was ravenous for programming. The Cougars completed 11-1 and quarterback Zach Wilson earned the No. 2 general choose within the 2020 NFL draft. BYU beat the chances of enjoying by the pandemic.
• Tyler Allgeier walked onto the soccer crew in 2018. Over the course of the following two years, he was moved from operating again to linebacker and again to operating again. Final season, as a redshirt sophomore, Allgeier rushed for 1,601 yards. He beat the chances and beat Staley’s single-season dashing report earlier than being chosen within the fifth spherical of the NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
Late Saturday afternoon, Notre Dame (2-2) will kick off towards BYU as essentially the most storied program within the historical past of faculty soccer. The Irish have gained 931 video games since 1887. They declare 11 nationwide championships, seven Heisman Trophy winners, and have had 522 gamers chosen within the NFL draft.
BYU has gained 607 video games since 1922. The Cougars have one nationwide championship, one Heisman Trophy winner and have had 149 gamers chosen within the NFL draft.
As independents, Notre Dame’s tv take care of NBC (estimated at $26 million) is twice what BYU makes from ESPN. These numbers will change as Notre Dame renegotiates with ESPN for a reported $60 million yearly and BYU joins the Large 12.
In the case of the nationwide scene, the Irish sometimes sing on the entrance stage whereas the Cougars are relegated to maintain its noise within the again — aside from Saturday when the 2 will carry out on the identical stage on the identical time.
It’s not shocking that Las Vegas lists Notre Dame as the favourite. They've the identify and the historical past to warrant the bias. However being the underdog shouldn’t deter BYU. The Cougars have an extended historical past of beating the chances.
Dave McCann is a contributor to the Deseret Information and is the studio host for “BYU Sports activities Nation Recreation Day,” “The Put up Recreation Present,” “After Additional Overview,” and play-by-play announcer for BYUtv. He's additionally co-host of “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com.
BYU’s Jonny Harline makes a landing catch towards Notre Dame’s Chinedum Ndukwe in South Bend, Indiana, Oct. 22, 2005. The Cougars have been on the quick finish of the stick that day, however get one other crack on the Irish in Las Vegas this Saturday.
Tom Good, Deseret Information