A TD (touching day) for BYU greats

It was tough to tell which No. 14 was more emotional, Gifford Nielsen or Ty Detmer.

Both quarterbacks admitted the honor of having their jerseys retired touched them deeply and tugged at the heartstrings as their respective families and former teammates celebrated the day on a sellout of LaVell Edwards Stadium (64,585) Saturday in BYU's 20-7 win over Arizona.

"To see former teammates like Mike Chronister and Jeff Blanc and to have my family around me for this day is something that has profoundly touched me," said Nielsen, now a sports anchor in Houston.

"I don't get out here often enough, but it is touching to see my former teammates, have my wife, four daughters and my parents here to share in this," said Detmer.

Together, Nielsen/Detmer passed for 20,831 yards and 176 touchdowns in their college careers. They combined to set more than a hundred NCAA records.

The former All-Americans were feted during ceremonies at halftime where BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe formally recognized their achievements and presented each with a framed No. 14 jersey.

"These two are great ambassadors for Brigham Young University," said Holmoe.

Before kickoff, Nielsen approached BYU safety Corby Hodgkiss, who wears No. 14 and quietly told him to go out and "make some plays."

Hodgkiss looked at Nielsen, his eyes focused, and replied, "I will, I will."

Hodgkiss tipped two passes in the first quarter.

"These are marvelous young men," said their retired head coach, LaVell Edwards, at halftime before the crowd. "The true measure of what they have accomplished is how they have lived their lives. I am so proud to have been their coach."

While Nielsen's parents are both deceased, Detmer's mother and father were on hand for the ceremonies. Nielsen, who grew up on Cherry Lane near the stadium, left the season seats in the stadium's west side open and vacant. They belonged to his father Stan and his mother Louis, longtime Cougar fans and have been used by family members over the years.

"I just wanted them to be open for them and I felt they were here on this day," said Nielsen.

Detmer had a similar reflection.

"I remember when my dad first came to Provo and dropped me off, he looked up at the mountain and saw the 'Y' and said, 'If they just add a 'T' to it, they'll about have it right.' I think that turned up kind of prophetic," said the 1990 Hesiman Trophy winner.