Greatest Bowl Comeback Ever? 1980 Holiday Bowl: BYU vs. SMU

Jim McMahon engineers an amazing comeback to beat SMU 46-45 in the 1980 Holiday Bowl. For hundreds of live college football games, sign up for XXL at CSTV.com

[@cbphoto87]

You can't beat a blocked punt and hail mary in the final 15 seconds, especially when it's capping off a 20 point comeback in the final 3 minutes. It simply won't ever be matched again. Period.

[@Hutchdh]

Punt Bama Punt guy #1 blocks two punts with just 3 minutes to play. Then guy #2 returns both punts for touchdowns to give Auburn a 1 point lead. Then on bama's last possession, guy #2 makes the game sealing pick with seconds left. It might not be a better comeback, but odd's wise it has to be less likely.

[@8MoneyIzmyMission8]

While that was incredibly lucky, it's not like that couldn't ever happen again. It's not impossible, just highly unlikely.

[@DREAMHippo9]

+David Hutchinson That was a 16 point lead, and only a 13 point lead with 10 minutes left. Much different than being down by 21 points with 2 and a half minutes left. Other than the novelty of the blocked punts it's not up there with alot of the miracle comebacks.

[@erictaylor5462]

Especially if God is on YOUR side. www.mormon.org/missionaries

[@TheWundaman71]

@@DREAMHippo9 wow you’re picky! It had one great TD pass, an onside kick recovery, another long pass down to the 1, then TD run, defense holds and forces a 3 and out with just over a minute to play. Then a blocked punt. Then a Hail Mary with 3 seconds remaining for the win. How much more thrilling does it have to be to qualify as a miracle comeback?! Maple Grove High School scored 3 TD in the final minute, which included 2 onside kick recoveries.

[@johndesalvo7738]

My dad and I were there, I was 9. We left early to get a head start on traffic. We have NEVER left a sporting event early since that night.

[@jarrettshakespear2258]

I'm sorry for your loss. That would hurt to miss it

[@benjamincook283]

I was about that age when I went to a Jazz-Nuggets basketball game in the 90’s. Jazz were down 34 at half (as much as 36 early in the 2nd half) and we nearly bailed like almost of the rest of the arena, but decided to stay since we’d already purchased the tickets and had driven 40+ miles for the game. Turns out we ended up witnessing the biggest comeback in NBA history, still to this day, so you just never know.

[@hyenas196987]

I saw this game on TV live when i was 10 years old. I didnt know at the time i was watching one of the greatest comebacks. This is the game that made the holiday bowl famous. After this game it seemed every game played in the holiday bowl was a nailbitter for years to come.

[@johncjudd4422]

"I saw this game on TV live when i was 10 years old." -- ditto.

[@bjdon99]

I like how the BYU mascot is helping dig players off the pile to see who caught the ball on the penultimate play.

[@stevencraven4897]

That year's Cosmo turned out to be a High School friend of mine. Looking forward to seeing him, and many others, at our 50th year reunion in a few weeks.

[@johncate9541]

To anyone who saw this game, it shouldn't have been a surprise when Jim McMahon won a Super Bowl five years later. This Holiday Bowl proved that he could beat a pro football team.

[@georgelinton5432]

The Bears were one of my favorite teams and when they drafted McMahon, I told my father the Bears ae going to win the Super Bowl.

[@njh18]

Is that a jab at SMU for paying off their players 😆

[@yaantsudnbesdai972]

It's funny since McMahon was such a "hotdog" in the 80s reviled to a great degree by both BYU players and coaches as well as Bear coaches. Ironically he was somewhat "anti-Mormon" even while attending BYU. He was hilarious and entertaining but very rude and offensive as well. Quite a player. When he wasn't injured he was a great underrated quarterback, but he spent most of his career injured unfortunately.

[@timlevis3630]

@@yaantsudnbesdai972 He was a Catholic. He also never really took the game in a serious way, he liked to party. In the end it took a toll on his career.

[@johncate9541]

@@njh18 I plead the Fifth.

[@albertmora4290]

Jim McMahon - my all-time favorite quarterback.

[@benbeus8919]

Without a doubt this is the most amazing come back ever in the college football bowl game. Awesome!

[@steeleboy09]

Oregon vs. TCU?

[@editnosmirc4489]

@@steeleboy09 he obviously posted this before Oregon vs TCU

[@jmatking09]

1:40 - "and for Brigham Young, it turns out to be the third fruitless trip to the Holiday Bowl." good call

[@Ghost4PF-]

1:40

[@jscorn]

I was there! 14 years old and remember how crazy the BYU fans were going. One of those moments you never forget.

[@cruzmoisesmendoza7434]

One the greatest moments in history and eye opening miracle in history of miracles.

[@jgarlanm]

For sheer quantity of scoring in the last five minutes AND a game-ending Hail Mary, this is my choice for greatest comeback ever. It's almost TOO unbelievable, like a made-for-TV-movie. Thanks for not giving up, Cougs!

[@MikeParody]

It should be a movie. If it would have been notre dame it would have been a movie by now

[@yaantsudnbesdai972]

I'm a life-long BYU fan, having resided in Utah most my life. I just watched this game, in its entirety, last night for the third time in my life. Amazing ending -- 20 point deficit erased in 4 minutes -- onside kick recovered and punt blocked, topped off by McMahon hail mary from 50 yards out AS TIME EXPIRED to tie the game -- the PAT won it by one point.

[@bewarethelocusts8558]

You're bren duped! All sports are rigged and scripted

[@CBrandonChapman]

Best part of this whole thing is at 3:26 when the mascot comes running in!

[@philliphall6250]

My brother and I saw this LIVE and freaked out! We had turned off the TV several times and came back and finish and were SO glad we did!

[@timtebowsleftarm5368]

Ray Scott called this Hail Mary five days after he called a Hail Mary game winner in the Browns-Vikings game. Just. Ridiculous.

[@steveprestegard5151]

Well, he was prepared for it. Of course, he'd been announcing for more than 30 years.

[@steveprestegard5151]

Ray Scott never yelled like that announcing Packers games.

[@stephenjackson7797]

I was at BYU as a student watching this on a big screen on campus because I couldn't afford a TV. I had seen BYU lose all their bowl games prior to this. This comeback is greater than the much more hyped Doug Flutie one that came a few years later.

[@Packey67]

This is the greatest game i ever watched!

[@thomjones44]

I remember watching that game with my dad & the two of us were in somewhat of a state of shock. It was a great game & it was really "AWESOME!" To say the least. Who knew that 4 years later BYU plays for & wins a national championship & BYU won the national championship in the Holiday Bowl. Who knew.

[@FavreianVengeance]

Anyone see the 30 for 30 on how much these SMU players were being paid? The joke was that Eric Dickerson would have to take a pay cut to play in the NFL. Beating these cheaters in this fashion is just that much more rewarding.

[@dostacos1]

FavreianVengeance but but but BYU didn't play any talent back in the day.

[@whatidahell8398]

What the video does not share is how Coach Edwards wanted the team to punt on their second to last possession and had in fact sent the punting team onto the field and McMahon told them to get off because he was not done fighting. It was then that he threw the hail Mary on the 4th down which led to the BYU win. I am NOT a fan of BYU (go Utes) but I have always been a fan of Jim McMahon. It was about time that BYU inducted him, he brought more fame to the BYU program than most.

[@joediesen1]

***** Exactly. Why would they punt down by 6 with 3 seconds left in the game? LOL.

[@rtibbitts18]

Joe D They were down 38 to 19 with 8 minutes to go when McMahon refused to punt. They threw a Hail Mary pass with 3 seconds left, down by six.

[@billcooke5387]

Whati DaHell: BYU did induct Jimmy Mac BUT ONLY after he finally graduated. That was the rule and he finally did it. Yes he was finally inducted into the ring of BYU greats. Was he the Greatest QB BYU ever had. Well Steve Young said of Jimmy Mac - You lifted BYU into raified air where we had never been before. Take if from there.

[@johnbrush4532]

+Bill Cooke Ty Detmer. best QB at BYU and in fact entire NCAA

[@texasmade0109]

What? This comment doesn’t even make sense. On their second to last possession he refused to punt, then threw the game winning Hail Mary? How would the game winning Hail Mary be on the SECOND to last possession lmfao what? lol

[@stewartberger7734]

Easily the best college football game ever. They meet again this year in the New Mexico Bowl

[@jeremymorgan9075]

BYU won by one point again too.

[@stewartberger7734]

@@jeremymorgan9075 Amazing

[@RBYU001]

An onside kick, blocked punt and Hail Mary. Yes that is the greatest comeback in college football!!!

[@snowbirdskier]

I've only ever seen the last few BYU drives, this was helped me see the whole story.

[@BeautifulRelaxationVideos]

I was at that game. By half-time a good size portion of the stadium was empty. Luckily I stayed until the end. I will never forget the excitement of that game.

[@elijahhodges4405]

This was the greatest game I have ever watched on television. Of course the LIV super bowl where Kansas City Chiefs came back to beat San Fransisco 49ers was special.

[@hansenkd]

I was there in person at age 9. My dad won a "pick the winner" contest from the local paper and took me since there were babies in the house and mom therefore couldn't go. We stuck it out when everybody was leaving. Got very excited after the game. Then got lost in downtown San Diego trying to find our way back to our hotel. But I can say I was there!

[@jeysterjr2]

Did anyone else get goosebumps?

[@AZsportshut]

Lots of great college games. Boise State vs Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl was great game. 1996 Tennessee vs Alabama. The Greatest Game Ever Played in the Swamp FSU vs Florida. The Miracle In Michigan. Or probably the most memorable Cal vs Stanford in The Play.

[@howardsmith9342]

There are lots of great games, and lots of great last-second, Hail-Mary, come from behind victories, but this was three TDs behind, with less than 4 minutes to play. BYU had lost every Holiday Bowl game up til then, so this one will live forever in our hearts!

[@shirlDLebaron]

Still gives me chills. 20 down late in the 4th qtr, an onsides kick and a blocked punt and a hail mary, yes it is the greatest comeback in terms of score and time.

[@kylemarsh9405]

being a byu fan i cant help but smile

[@sperew]

This honestly never gets old...I was 6 years old when they played this game and I can still remember my dad jumping up and down in our basement...so high he hit his head on the low ceiling. A true classic. Definitely gets my vote for greatest bowl comeback in history.

[@TheJerryw08]

This is such a great game.

[@paulsonj72]

Jacob Wang-Yes. James and Dickerson were the Pony Express backfield for SMU

[@hibob418]

Awesome post!! Incredible comeback on the old Miz-Lou network and Ray Scott with the play-by-play call. Thanks for uploading.

[@razacuts]

"I hope you're watching this game in color tonight ladies and gentlemen, it is played on natural grass!" HA

[@davidmedina2823]

I was at Grandmas for Christmas watching it on a black and white. I remember him rubbing it in...

[@angusrocks6464]

Wow. Don't know how I missed this one. Thanks for posting!

[@gregshoemaker1015]

as a mesa (Arizona) high school grad, I knew of vai when he played football and ran track at mesa high. loved following his career after the disappointing state loss my soph year his senior , hey vai say hi to your dad Lonnie for me.

[@dankuchar6821]

I play basketball with my good friends Scott Phillips for many years. He's an excellent athlete! I always saw him as the unseen hero of this game. Several touchdowns and the two-point conversion, along with some incredible key blocks and other great plays. Several players on that team went to the NFL.

[@BASavage81]

This game and the one with Doug Flutie are considered the best college comebacks and condidered in the top 3 of all time. Many players on these teams ended up with great careers in the NFL. fyi, The great LaVell Edwards wanted to punt on the last play. Jim McMahon and others on offense wouldn't leave the field and told Edwards "we aren't going to f@$%ing punt." The rest is history.

[@amanchabra8947]

The guy who blocked the punt at 3:00, Bill Schoepflin, just retired last week after decades of service in law enforcement in Colorado. I was there to film it as a member of our city's Community Relations Division, and when one of his fellow officers told the story that Bill was the guy that made that play for BYU, I was shocked! Very few people outside of his family and close friends knew how big a deal he was as a football player, or that he even played! I'm a member of the church who follows BYU football, and didn't even know that one of our officers in the building was a BYU sports legend. LOL!

[@79steelymatt]

I watched this game on a tv the size of a car in my friends downstairs game room what memories I was a big fan of the Pony Express and loved #19 Eric Dickerson and his goggles best game I have ever seen!!

[@cynthia7564]

I watched that game on TV from Salt Lake....that last play with 13 seconds left game me my first gray hairs, but WOW, what a thrill!

[@yuh3491]

I recognized some names like Jim McMahon who played for da Bears and Eric Dickerson who played for the Los Angeles Rams (at the time they were the Los Angeles Rams)

[@latinolawdog5067]

+Kevin Lukas Vai Sikahema (the guy returning the punt for BYU) was an All-Pro for the Cardinals for many years as well.

[@electricwaster]

Andy Reid was an offensive lineman for BYU

[@TheWundaman71]

This comment aged well! They’re the LA Rams again 😉😂

[@yuh3491]

@@TheWundaman71 lmao wtf, you just uncovered a comment I don't even remember posting

[@DP46561]

I've seen that last catch probably 100+ times in my life and it's still unbelievable.

[@MFeriante]

amazing!! BYU forever!!!!

[@rubblemp]

I just got goosebumps from watching this video, Awesome!

[@dootdoot_17]

Although I wasn’t born until 27 years later, I still think this is the best sporting moment I have ever seen through my two eyes.

[@gopher3737]

wow, this game looked awesome. Anyone who actually watched the game live see if the receiver actually caught the touchdown pass at 2:02 mark? The SMU player was going crazy after the play. Can't believe BYU got an onside kick, then blocked a punt, then got a hail mary to win, haha

[@mrromantimothy]

I've lived in salt lake,and seeing the antique,black and white photos of Brigham Young and the leather heads,is quite moving.they would go anywhere to play anybody!that is rare in today's game,as the Bcs and the SEC have taken over the game,with a computer! and a coaches poll! a bias since there's way more east coast schools

[@Caml3]

Even in 2016 there was a playoff, Mr. Roman.

[@Benyan1763]

One of the absolute best comebacks ever!!

[@kakashi879]

That was a great comeback! Nice!

[@pubeonapipe]

Wow. I'm on an SMU or BYU fan but a big fan of college ball and I'm surprised I never knew about this game/comeback. That last second bomb was at least as amazing as Flutie's much ballyhooed TD bomb vs. Miami.

[@aaronsmith4768]

i got chills!

[@h2w25]

Somebody forgot to tell Jim McMahon SMU had a 99.9% Chance of winning according to ESPN’s win probability index Seriously though, What a team. Only loss was to an eventual 4-7 New Mexico team on opening day 25-21...coulda been national Champs as they basically blew out all other competition that year. What a comeback!

[@jameschilton9168]

What about the Vai Sikahema punt return?

[@T0PGadgeTRevieW]

this takes alot 0f Heart and dedication too do what BYU did

[@Southerncowboyz]

Ya know, if football was still that pure and energetic and guys played for the love of the sport like that today, I'd still watch.

[@drumline17]

i had never even heard of this game but wow...that was amazing

[@Gamebox27]

#9 was the greatest QB to lace the shoes at BYU. Dude would not give up. Against Craig James and Eric Dickerson no less.

[@Couchptato10]

wow, unbelievable. this is terrific!!!

[@robdizzle5280]

The music for this is perfect!!!

[@1234latitude]

mcmahon was sick. thats why chicago had the shuffle and the most dominant super bowl season in history.

[@strjfs]

One of the formative moments of my childhood. I watched that game on TV with my Dad who went to bed half way through the 4th quarter. I watched to the end and triumphantly roused my Dad to tell him what happened. Texas oil money lost to guts and lots of prayers on that night. The good guys do win on occasion--sometimes with the help of a miracle.

[@healthyandyoung]

i remember watching this over and over as a kid and thinking how byu always came from behind and won but it was actually just a tape of the same game that my family kept watching year after year cause they are byu fanatics lol

[@XJumpManReturnsX]

damn i had no clue there was a better comeback than the choke at doak

[@nittany1979]

First time I saw this, wish it showed that they were down 20 with 2:19 left in the game. What an incredible comeback!!!!

[@illwill4781]

I feel you on that! I I was born in 1981, so the first Super Bowl I watched was 21 in 1987, but I've known about da Bears because my Step Mom is a BEARS fan. One thing led to another on the internet and I watched the video. I couldn't imagine Rex Grossman being the new hero in Chicago...Nah it wasn't supposed to be. Jim McMahon what a winner..and a free spirit.

[@spike3888]

Wow, I remember watching this live at the Hilton. Forgot how amazing it really was.

[@BOMInsights]

Excellent point ... not sure why Flutie's hail mary is always highlighted as one of the great last second comebacks ... when you consider how far back BYU was in this game, this is a much greater comeback!

[@neklind]

That was just amazing :D

[@pickard72]

Wow! that was an amazing game...

[@mongoose704]

I can't say that this was the greatest comeback ever. There have been some mighty good ones. Michigan State erased a 35 point deficit in the final 24 minutes to win with 13 seconds left. But I could make a good argument for this. Good grief!

[@DrinkingWithTim]

I think the 2007 Insight Bowl was the biggest comeback in terms of point deficit in bowl game history. Texas Tech was down 31 points to Minnesota with about 22 minutes left in the game. Tech went on to score 31 unanswered points, which included a 50+ yard field goal to send the game into OT. Tech won it in overtime 45-38. That being said, down three scores with only 2 minutes left is the best comeback I can think of. Hats off to BYU. Great game.

[@bigandtallreturn]

Look at the talent on both these teams: Eric Dickerson (awesome RB in the '80s, the Adrian Petersen of his day), Craig James, Jim McMahon, Vai Sikahema... all of them went on solid careers in the NFL.

[@oAkimboDutchiesX]

Vai Sickahema is on NBC10 in philly now. watch em all the time hahah

[@PunkProfess0r]

LOL! Watch Lavell Edwards throw the little kid off of him at 3:50. "Damn, kid, get the hell off of me..."

[@Ztevie92]

just one word: amazing.

[@GeoAce777]

McMahon at 2:23 followed by the cheerleader and then the mascot at the end, lots of emotion in these images. People forget about the extra point to actually seal the win. Make no mistake, it was McMahon sparked the BEST comeback EVER in college football. I believe he yelled at his teammates that 'this game is not over!'

[@addy1231]

Bills Vs Oilers IS the greatest comeback of Football history! gr8 video

[@plusEV]

BYU was down 20 with 2:19 left. The punt block was epic. SMU certainly wins if they take a safety instead of trying to kick it.

[@rgthemoney17]

Great music choice at the end.

[@dannyfootball3608]

It might seem like a random thing to notice, but I love how animated the officials are with their signals. Referees today act like robots.

[@splifster88]

Jim McMahon doesn't get enough credit. he was good.

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

Jim McMahon was a good quarterback when he made the effort. This comeback is no surprise.

[@abrambook8999]

He was a good quarterback, period. Would have been an NFL legend had he stayed healthy.

[@davidmorem]

Incredible!

[@nathangiles7900]

This makes me happy

[@fairnorth]

I remember watching this game. All I remember is the wild comeback by BYU and Jim Mcmahon's touchdown pass to Clay Brown. A fantastic ending. I thought that this was the best bowl game that year. But I did not remember the sensational day that Eric Dickerson and Craig James had.

[@GeneticRealityFilms]

The NFL will never have Epic moments like this...ever

[@TheCenValley]

I remember watching this live and knowing right then that an historic comeback

[@davidmills9685]

i remember watching this and byu was being tarred and featheard on this game so i went out to make a pepsi run and came back and the smu cheerleaders and team were poppin g champagne corks on bottles thinking they had the game that was there biggest mistake early celebrating thats when the tables turned on them.

[@micheleann2823]

byu like stanford known as qb's school

[@m1sterhockey]

Legendary Ray Scott with the call.

[@electricwaster]

People forget that Andy Reid was an offensive linemen for BYU

[@gunit094]

AMAZING

[@paginabook]

I did watch this on a little black and white TV in Nor Cal in 1980. haha

[@micheleann2823]

byu had some great qbs pay starting with virgil carter, marc lyons, rick jones, bill august, gary sheide, gifford nielsen, marc wilson, jim mcmahon, steve young, robbie bosco, steve lindley,bob jensen, sean coveym ty detmer, john walsh, steve sarkisian, kevin feterik, brandon doman, john beck, max hall, jake heaps, riley nelson, taysom hill the cureent now he will be junior this season,and then after him hunter moore 2014 freshmen or billy green 2014 soph

[@blairchristensen1965]

That's just a list of ALL the quarterbacks - not just the great ones. Shiede? Yes. Neilsen? Absolutely. Wilson? NFL. McMahon? Superbowl ring. Young? Superbowl rings. Bosco? National Championship. Then you can skip until you get to Detmer: Heisman. Skip a few more 'til Sarkisian and skip Feterik. Doman was good, Beck and Hall were also good. Heaps never made the hype and Nelson was all run, no pass. Hill has gotten much better, but he won't be in the "great" list without a 10-win season and a bowl win.

[@billcooke5387]

michele ann : I knew some and a running back personally. Some early ones after Carter I never heard of. My years were the Shiede to near the end of Marc Wilson. Still a great list of "And they Came to Pass" A DVD on the BYU great QBs. BYU went to the air as they did not have great running backs. And win they did. Best thing Coach Edwards did and with some fantastic Off Coaches one of them being Mike Holmgren of Green Bay Fame.

[@stratsound4505]

Wow, at :47 Dickerson gets knocked for a crazy flip!

[@awabob]

The 'stupid little kid' was a team trainer named Mel, who's main job was to run onto the field after a kickoff and grab the tee. Legend has it he spent the entire halftime trying to tear a phone book, finally did it, and told the team to never give up. If it's true it's a great story. What makes this the greatest comeback is that that 45-25 scoreboard flash was with 4:07 left in the game. They did'nt have the whole 2nd half to 'get back in the game'. They just put up 3 TD's.

[@kitkatsyay]

beautiful

[@bobolob]

Natural Grass. Not enough of those these days. And this wasn't a choked game as much as both teams were just that good. Great!