Top 10 Most Memorable Plays of BYU Independence

It was tough, but we narrowed down the long list of amazing BYU plays during the independence era down to the top 10 most memorable plays to us. Did we leave any of your most memorable plays off the list? Let us know which plays will stand out in your mind forever.

[@spencerhiginbotham7538]

10:05 You especially know it's a good play when Bronco Mendenhall celebrates if it's an offensive play. Aside from this one, his two biggest celebrations that I remember were after the goal line stand against Boise St in 2012 and after the 4 down stop against Cal in 2014.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

So true!

[@outdooraddictionpa8218]

BYU guys huge the ref last play. Haha awesome

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

I do love that.

[@Jace28142]

I love these wonderful memories! On to many more with the Big12💙

[@thetraveltwins4554]

Nice work on this man

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Thank you! Can't believe people are so watching this one.

[@connerbitnoff5181]

“Future BIG 12 foe, Arizona!” 🤣

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

I guess it wasn't a joke after all. 😁

[@skylersadventures]

Welcome to the big 12 glad to have you

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Thank you! Who's your school?

[@outsideview9052]

You should mention how Hooks went over and hugged the ref after that Nebraska win.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

You're right, major oversight on my part. 😂

[@MikeParody]

One of my favorite all time reactions…second only to Riley Nelson high giving the reff

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Another awesome moment.

[@howardsmith9342]

That was Terenn Houk, was it not?

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Yes, and I was worried it would result in some sort of penalty and extend the game somehow 😅

[@bobarmstrong1161]

My favorite was the "Immaculate Reception" against Utah.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Yes, that is amongst the top BYU plays all time! Unfortunately, it was still during the Mountain West days and therefore didn't qualify.

[@clintjohnson5914]

well presented!! thanks for putting this together

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Thank you!

[@Paysoncougarfan.7885]

The Nacua first play touchdown against UCF is up there as a great play.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

What a way to start the season!

[@outsideropinion6561]

USF

[@Paysoncougarfan.7885]

@@outsideropinion6561 oops 😬

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

I knew what you meant 😁

[@outsideropinion6561]

Solid vid, man

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Thank you!

[@Scott-kc5fg]

Many of these plays wouldn’t be possible without the Mountain West scheduling founding member BYU.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

True. Which I think is why BYU still has an away game against Wyoming on the schedule.

[@wbball15]

Lego version of Lincoln Miracle is hilarious. It includes the ref hug

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

I've seen that, very hilarious. Quality stuff!

[@MikeTerry1969]

Small correction, they were 5-0 against the PAC in 2021, not 7-0. Great vid!

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Great catch, I misspoke. They played 7 P5s.

[@kenangardner3152]

I was in the stadium when BYU was playing ASU and it sure was loud in there

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

That would've been awesome. It's gotten so much louder than when I was there.

[@spencerhiginbotham7538]

There are multiple reasons Boise St fans have no business disputing the catch: 1. It was the correct call. 2. It should've been pass interference. 3. The real disputable play in this game was the last play of the first half, which should've been a BYU touchdown.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Amen 👏

[@AnnuitCoeptis12]

One more honorable mention…the pick that won the game in Provo that went into overtime against USC in 2019!

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

That was an awesome play!

[@spencerhiginbotham7538]

6:00 "Future Big 12 foe Arizona, just kidding." That aged well.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Haha, yeah it did.

[@DanielA-iz1eg]

6 minute mark : "Arizona, future big 12 foe, haha just kidding" = Prophecy

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

I need to edit out the "just kidding". 😁

[@stevencraven4897]

Attention - BYU fall sports that are NOT football: BYU Men Cross Country - ranked 3rh in preseason coaches poll; BYU Women Cross Country -- ranked 5th in preseason coachhes poll; BYU Women's Volleyball - undefeated andd raned 8th; BYU Women's Soccer - undefeated (including a shutout of then #1 ranked UCLA) - unanimously ranked #1 in coaches poll.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Yes, we have some amazing teams ready to compete in the Big 12 and nationally right away. Good time to be a Cougar!

[@stephenclark9602]

Beck to Harline!

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

Yes, that's possibly the all time number 1 play, but it was before independence.

[@terryherrera5252]

Should have done too 50 !!!

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

50 plays? Any suggestions of which ones I left off?

[@BigRedVan]

"Just kidding" 😂. This play goes down in my memory, I remember being particularly stressed at the end of this game lol: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpiloY2eetqBhcU

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

That was a clutch play!

[@tedtrowbridge7407]

How about a list of BYU's best (most important) games probably led by Ty Witmer's BYU victory over #1 Miami....

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

That's a good topic. I'll have to think about this one and do some homework.

[@loumos8364]

I hate that people say BYU and Boise are rivals. I mean, BYU only has One Big Rival and One Small Rival, which would be UTAH and UTAH ST. It's unlikely that BYU and Boise are going to see each other again for many many years and if the SEC and BIG10 do what everyone thinks they are trying to do then any school in the ACC and Big12 is going to become the DIV1-B League and BIG10 and SEC Schools will be the DIV1-A League with the G5 being relegated to the FCS level, making the idea of BYU vs Boise even more non-existent than it already is.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

I loved the rivalry when we were playing. It really only extended to football, but I'd argue it was better than the rivalry with Utah St over that same period. But it's hard to consider it a rivalry going forward unless since they won't be playing for the foreseeable future, as you mentioned.

[@michaelhopkins5087]

And no good memories in the big 12. Mediocre at best when they join.

[@saturdayswarriorbyu]

It's pretty normal for schools making the jump to struggle a little. It's also a retooling year. But with so much parity in the conference, there's no reason BYU can't do well, at least in time.

[@davidmitchell3728]

Probably true, but mediocre is actually good when entering a P5 conference for the first time. Considering we’ll be playing *probably* the toughest schedule we’ve ever had plus replacing much of the team through transfers and whatnot, sitting right in the middle of the Big 12 would be an accomplishment