The Miracle Bowl
December 19, 1980 - One of the most dramatic comebacks in college football history happened on this day.
The third annual Holiday Bowl featured a lopsided matchup late into the game, as SMU led BYU 45–25 with under four minutes remaining.
Facing 4th-and-7 and trailing badly, BYU quarterback Jim McMahon refused to punt. He audibled at the line and hit Clay Brown for a 49-yard touchdown. BYU then recovered an onside kick, scored again, and recovered another onside kick.
With just seconds left, McMahon threw a short pass to Brown, who broke free and scored the winning touchdown. The extra point sealed a stunning 46–45 victory, completing one of the greatest comebacks in college football history.
