It all started in 1996. That year--the "Year of the Cougar," as it shall ever be known in my mind--was incredible.BYU went 14-1 that year; they recorded the most wins for any team in one season ever. 15 games! Can you imagine having four extra games on your schedule?
Here's how it worked out. First, the Cougars participated in the Pigskin Classic against Texas A&M. Second they got an extra home game that year because they played Hawai'i on the islands (every team that goes to Hawai'i gets an extra home game to offset the costs). Third, BYU played in the first-ever WAC championship game against Wyoming. And fourth, BYU played in the Cotton Bowl vs. Kansas State.
That's four games, in addition to an 11-game regular season schedule. 15 games total.
And BYU won 14 of them.
Amazing, right? No one in college football has matched that feat. BYU ended up ranked No. 5 in the final poll that year. They had an amazing team.
And yet there was one loss.
One blemish upon an otherwise sparklingly flawless season.
And it came against Washington.
The Huskies hurt us more than we'll ever realize on that September afternoon. They took away our undefeated season, a Bowl Alliance bid (which was a precursor to the BCS system) and a possible second national championship. There's no doubt in my mind that BYU was one of the best teams in the country that year, and yet one loss took all of our chances at greatness away.
The '96 Cougars, led by legends Steve Sarkisian, Shay Muirbrook, Chad Lewis, Itula Mili, Brian McKenzie, Omarr Morgan and Tim McIntyre, were my favorite team ever. I was glued to the TV every single Saturday to see foe after foe drop like flies at the feet of the mighty Cougars. BYU accentuated their dominance with a 31-17 pasting of Utah, in which BYU rushed for an astronomical 366 yards.
But still, that one loss to Washington...
The next year, 1997, The Huskies came to Provo. I, like many other fans, was eager to see BYU exact some revenge for their '96 upset. Instead I was subjected to a 42-20 Husky free-for-all in Cougar Stadium.
In '98 we returned to Seattle, only to lose again 10-20.
Three straight years of losing to Washington. I know it's not our fiercest or most historic rival, but as a little kid who was just maturing as a BYU fan, these events were traumatic. I quickly learned to hate Washington. They, to me, represented that final hurdle--that one step we just couldn't get over.
Finally in 1999 BYU beat Washington in Provo when Chris Hale caught the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter to cement the score at 35-28. Consolation, yes, but the damage had been done.
Now we stand at the cusp of another four-game, four-year series with the Huskies. And once again, Washington stands between us and what we all predict to be a great season.
Will BYU finally exorcise the demon that dwells in the soggy North West? Will I finally have some ammunition for my mission buddy who hales from Seattle and happens to be a huge Washington fan? Only twelve-and-a-half more hours to go until we all find out.
6 comments:
Nothing like a picture of a dead dog to get your blood boiling.
This is going to be a sweet win! We better pull one out this week end
I remember that '97 game vividly, my first as a BYU freshman. I remember what obnoxious pieces of crap those Washington fans were. I hope that Nixon knocks the white chocolate off of Locker at least once tomorrow!
I love the dead dog picture, you know how to motivate. I have always HATED the Huskies, but the year that sealed it for me was 2001. When the Beavs only had one loss, and yes it was against the dreaded Huskies. All because of the kicker. We actually played a pretty good game. If you recall that was the year we killed Notre Dame 41-9 in the Fiesta Bowl and finished #3. Oh how I miss Chad Johnson and TJ Housh.
Speaking of 96' a Mr. Brian McKenzie works for my grandfather. I was politely rubbing in how I was going to watch the game yet he would be working the whole weekend. He's still got huge guns!
It's not so much of the Huskies I hate but moreso having to deal with PAC10 officiatin. The media outcry over "The Call" or No Calls (pendin on how yer lookin at it) was expected.
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