BYU's photo finish | Deseret News

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SEPT. 3 — BOSTON COLLEGE 20, BYU 3: Cougar quarterback John Beck looks for receivers in a passing play against Boston College. In the inaugural game of the Bronco Mendenhall era, the Cougars fall to the 22nd-ranked Eagles. The loss is BYU's first season-opening home loss since 1997. The Cougars muster a mere 35-yard field goal by Jared McLaughlin in the third quarter, with the sole score set up by a blocked punt by Bryan Kehl.

Jason Olson, Deseret Morning News

Summary

Five weeks into the first season under first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall, the BYU football team suffered through a rare home-opener loss, a 1-3 mark and no victories over Division I-A competition. A fourth consecutive losing season looked quite possible.

But the Cougars righted the ship for their first winning season and bowl invitation in four years, although a couple of blemishes came via a lopsided loss at Notre Dame and another heart-wrenching loss to rival Utah in the regular-season final.

As BYU prepares to face California in today's Las Vegas Bowl, here's a quick look back — via representative photos — at the Cougars' 2005 regular season:

2005 BYU football

Sept. 3 Boston College 20, BYU 3

Sept. 10 BYU 45, Eastern Illinois 10

Sept. 24 TCU 51, BYU 50 (OT)

Oct. 1 San Diego State 31, BYU 10

Oct. 8 BYU 27, New Mexico 24

Oct. 15 BYU 24, Colorado State 14

Oct. 22 Notre Dame 49, BYU 23

Oct. 29 BYU 62, Air Force 23

Nov. 5 BYU 55, UNLV 14

Nov. 12 BYU 35, Wyoming 21

Nov. 19 Utah 41, BYU 34 (OT)

Dec. 22 vs. Cal @ Las Vegas Bowl