Dec. 19, 1980

With SMU's Craig James running for 225 yards and three touchdowns and Eric Dickerson dashing for 110 yards and two touchdowns, the Mustangs are in complete control at the Holiday Bowl, holding a 20-point lead with less than three minutes left. But then BYU makes it interesting when junior quarterback Jim McMahon throws a touchdown pass and after an onside kick is recovered, the Cougars score again to cut their deficit to 45-39.

SMU fails to run out the clock and its punt is blocked, giving BYU the ball on SMU's 41-yard line with 18 seconds left. After two incompletions, McMahon, who already has passed for 405 yards, throws a Hail Mary.

BYU's prayers are answered when 6-foot-3, 230-pound tight end Clay Brown outleaps SMU's defensive backs for the ball in the end zone. Kurt Gunther's extra point gives BYU the incredible 46-45 victory.