Deseret News | National champs: Cougars finished on top after going 13-0 in 1984

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National champs: Cougars finished on top after going 13-0 in 1984

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Re: BYU! | 3:30 a.m. | 12:32 p.m. July 12, 2009

Really, this is a BYU article, who really cares what a ute thinks anyways. Go enjoy your fond ute memories. Oh that's right, not too many to recall in the utes storied existence. Utes, trophy showcase room is as big as a hall closet.

Soccer Boy | 12:35 p.m. July 12, 2009

BYU won a National Championship? That's surprising...they hardly ever talk about it. Turn the page, that was a GENERATION ago. Championships won in the leather helmet days don't carry the same weight as current titles. YOU are the reason their is a BCS...no more paper champions!!

ttommiejo | 1:17 p.m. July 12, 2009

Twenty-five years, wow where did the time? It seems like it was only yesterday that you won the national championship.

Comments continue below

Congrats Cougs | 1:40 p.m. July 12, 2009

Through out the 80's and 90's I watched Cougar football ecstatically, having lived less than 2 miles from Cougar Stadium! Under Lavell they had a fantastic program. I never anticipated that Lavell's retirement would be as far sweeping as it has been. The stadium has since renamed itself Lavell Edwards Stadium and the program has declined into obscurity showing signs of life here and there. Put football back on the top of the list of priorities!

SGawrys | 2:15 p.m. July 12, 2009

I don't understand the folks from your state. I spent time in your state and was an athlete at BYU (BYU graduate). So, I competed against Utah and I did not particularly like them at the time either. But I still don't get logic of the two fan bases at all. For example, I love Tennessee. I have lived here 20 years and my wife was raised a UT fan. She bleeds orange. We hate Florida with a passion. BUT, when Florida plays outside the conference we rout for them. Why? Because we are SEC fans as well. And that is how SEC fans look at things.

You guys don't follow this same logic. I like BYU and follow them. But I am dang proud of what Utah has done for the conference during the last 5-6 years.

Bottom line is that when the subject of the BCS comes up we (you) should be united. When we play against each other then let the bashing continue.

WaspFan | 2:29 p.m. July 12, 2009

This is a "paper" championship at best.... The great news about the BCS format is we will avoid a repeat of 1984. BYU should do the right thing and send the trophy back to the NCAA's with a letter of apology for accepting in the first place. Will someone please remind me how many teams BYU played that year that finished the season ranked in the top 25???

How About This? | 2:42 p.m. July 12, 2009

All three teams that went undefeated (BYU 1984, Utah '04 and Utah '08) were legitimate. That 1984 team is likely to produce more pro players than any of the Utah teams. It produce Kurt Gouveia, Leon White and Lee Johnson who had very lengthy pro careers and a number that had shorter or less spectacular careers in the pros. It is no doubt on many levels that the Utah teams were better teams or played better schedules, especially the '08 team. Statistically speaking Urban's team might be really the best because it never had any close games on the season and needed no miracle finishes to beat anyone. But the BYU team in 1984 stands pretty tall as it did go undefeated and did produce a number of players that made the next level. One player that did play in the NFL and probably was one of the best college receivers I've ever seen was Glen Kozlowski, a junior on that team. Unfortunately, he suffered two knee injuries his senior year and never became the type of player he showed in much of his college career.

RE:WaspFan | 2:47 p.m. July 12, 2009

I'm guessing those championship trophies and rings referenced in the article were made of something other than paper. You can cry all you want but 25 years later, it's still official...and always will
be.

And don't brag too much about your current BCS system either. If it wasn't the laughingstock it is the state of Utah would be hoisting it's 2nd National Championship right now, this one up in Salt Lake.

So keep your tired old whiney, pouty, "the world isn't fair" attitude to yourself.

Re: WaspFan | 2:48 p.m. July 12, 2009

FYI--The NCAA actually doesn't give out a National Championship trophy for football. The one Florida got was from the BCS people who are not officially tied with the NCAA. It's a nice beautiful crystal football but does not look like any NCAA trophy I've seen. The AP also gives out some trophy I'm sure as they aren't apart of the BCS, like when they gave USC the trophy instead of LSU several years ago. The trophies BYU got in 1984 weren't NCAA either but came from the UPI and AP and maybe USA Today who maybe had a poll back then. So you see WaspFan and other like minded fans, BYU's National Championship is just as much a paper championship as Floridia's this year--in fact, both schools don't have a trophy to give back to the NCAA if one was to be demanded. It was my pleasure educating you all on the subject.

Optimist | 3:06 p.m. July 12, 2009

Invite the Broncos of Boise State to become part of the Mountain West 10.

Allow Notre Dame to keep their separate contracts with NBC and have them join the Mtn. West 11.

Let one of the top teams from each of the other conference teams fight it out to see which one gets a chance to make up the final Big 12 of the MWC.

Let the MTN WEST Conference be the elite conference that nobody denies access to, for eligibility for championship games.

In the meantime, encourage Senator Hatch to intensify the fight for Trust Busting of the BCS.

Sue the BCS. Win every game we play against the BCS.

Be proud to be part of the MWC.

THEeyepatch | 3:15 p.m. July 12, 2009

Memories. I guess you better go back to '84. One thing I can't understand, why was a 6-5 Michigan team even in that game? BYU won the game, but they beat a unworthy adversary. Cheers.

get over it already-- | 3:28 p.m. July 12, 2009

BYU shouldn't have been the national champion in 1984 and Utah didn't deserve it last year. Their schedules are not hard enough, period!!!

BCS: Mission Accomplished | 3:31 p.m. July 12, 2009

BYU, Boise, Ball State, or anyone else with weak schedules will never win a national title playing a schedule similar to 1984.

Get A Life | 3:35 p.m. July 12, 2009

Come on, kiddies! It's just a game. When a bunch of guys do something remarkable, let them bask in it. 25 years later, it's still the same guys. BYU has had better teams. Utah has had better teams. Both have done impressive things. Only one has a national championship trophy. 25 years from now, the same will be true.

Joe | 3:36 p.m. July 12, 2009

The winner of any national title is not always the so called "Best Team." That is why sometime a Cinderella Story comes true. From out of nowhere someone rises up and keeps winning while the "Best Teams" - ah what's the word - oh yeah LOSE. You play each week - you win you move up. You lose you move down. BYU kept winning - others lost - Lots of other teams had chances to keep winning like South Carolina (who lost to Navy) - BYU moved into the number 1 spot after that loss. So you play - you win you move up. Bottom line - like it or not Ute Fans That Whine Too Much - Scoreboard - BYU won the National Title.

Joe | 3:36 p.m. July 12, 2009

Oh by the way - Utah should have played for the title this year and I hope you program gets better every year - Utah winning and BYU winning is good for both schools I hope Utah is 11-1 every year as long as the one is against BYU.

Together we are becoming the USC/UCLA or Ohio/Mich of the next twenty years. That game in November is going to continue to mean even more each year.

Just remember this - if BYU and Utah did not have to share talent and were just one team they would be in National Contention every year - We here are doing more split in two then most do with a whole. Good for the State, the MWC and most importantly each school.

Anonymous | 3:39 p.m. July 12, 2009

Re: BYU! | 3:30 a.m. | 12:32 p.m. July 12, 2009
Really, this is a BYU article, who really cares what a ute thinks anyways. Go enjoy your fond ute memories.

--------------
Utah 31 Bama 17...
Quest for Perfection: Accomplished

Skippy | 3:43 p.m. July 12, 2009

I am glad that the Utes finally were declared the national unofficial champions (BCS) too.
Go BYU.

hypocrites | 4:10 p.m. July 12, 2009

I love it how one little article comes out in the paper about BYU's national championship, and a ton of Ute fans tell BYU fans to quite dwelling on the past. I can't tell you how many articles I've read recently about Utah's past bowls and victories.

Hey "Joke" | 4:13 p.m. July 12, 2009

Twenty-five years from now, I will be really surprised if there is any mention in either Salt Lake paper of Utah's Sugar Bowl win. No matter the circumstances, your trophy will always say "Sugar Bowl Champion," and ours will still say "National Champion."

What if | 4:18 p.m. July 12, 2009

BYU's "miracle season" - national championship.

Utah's "miracle season" - STILL left wondering what if . . .

Nat. Champs- cinderalla style. | 4:51 p.m. July 12, 2009

This is truly one of the great football stories off all time. It is really a David vs. Goliath. When teams start to circle their calender in January when they play BYU, it's is the most amazing thing to go undefeated.

Great Memories- Thanks Cougs! It's a great story!

BigBYUFan | 5:24 p.m. July 12, 2009

Wasn't that michagan team the SAME michgan team that finished ranked #2 in 1985?

not a bad team by the end of 1984.

and the ONLY team WILLING to play BYU in a bowl game.

So what are going to do?

Bruce | 5:24 p.m. July 12, 2009

Great memories! I was 15 and remember hearing the news early Sunday morning.

Amazing.

Love those Cougars!!!!

RE: All Utes | 5:54 p.m. July 12, 2009

At least there is no dispute about Utah's best season. They were, at best, #2. Which is where they belong. Always #2! They take a backseat to the Cougars in the state of Utah. Get used to it. #2 is pretty good. I've always thought the Utes were "pretty good."

Dispute all you want... just show us a trophy that says "national champions." Until then, just keep flashing us the "$$$$$'s" for the BCS game. I have never scanned through college football history to see who the Sugar Bowl champs are each year. At least once a year though, I do go back and scan past national champions and I spot the Cougars there with the other great teams in college football... USC, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Florida, Miami... I haven't spotted Utah though. You're not part of that crowd. You're still #2 - a second tier program.

Colorado Cougar | 6:17 p.m. July 12, 2009

Re Re: Colorado Cougar: Yes, the Y did lose to UTEP in '85, but note that the Y didn't win the National Championship in '85. The point was simply, and adequately, made that BYU COULD (doesn't mean the WOULD) have beaten Washington in '84.

BTW, if I recall correctly, UTEP had the Y's coaches phones bugged at the hotel, which surely enabled the Miners to pull off a huge upset in El Paso. Thanks for your pointless counterpoint.

Re: WaspFan @ 2:48 pm | 6:50 p.m. July 12, 2009

Thanks for the trophy breakdown. You wasted valuable time giving us all a trophy summation. Still waiting to hear how many teams BYU played that year who finished in the top 25?

Seattle Cougar | 7:02 p.m. July 12, 2009

Michigan back in '84 had been ranked in the top 10 before they lost their quarterback. That's when they started losing, yet with weeks to prepare before playing BYU in the Holiday Bowl, they weren't that bad.

The Utes last year deserved a chance to play for the National Championship. They did, however, have some fortunate circumstances happen during their season. They should thank the TCU frosh kicker for pretty much giving the game away at Utah. The OSU game was also a play away from being a loss for Utah. The wins at Air Force and UNM were also not convincing. Alabama got knocked in the mouth before they knew what was up in the Sugar Bowl.

Congratulations to the Utes for an amazing 2008 season. In most cases it takes some favorable circumstances to go undefeated.

Re: Colorado Cougar | 7:09 p.m. July 12, 2009

I wouldn't call that a pointless counterpoint. If you're going to claim your '84 trophy as validation you were the best team in the country by pointing to your victory over Washington in '85, I think it's highly relevant that your '85 team couldn't muster a W vs the worst team in the WAC THAT SAME YEAR.

Funny, I never heard ANYTHING about UTEP coaches bugging phones before. Did UCLA and Ohio St. bug your phone too? What about the Baylor coaches in '83? Sounds like classic zoobie "they cheated" whining to me.

re: RE: All Utes | 7:15 p.m. July 12, 2009

"...just show us a trophy that says 'national champions.'"

Are tdS fans really THAT DENSE? We can't show you our Nat'l Championship trophy since taking it out of our trophy case would constitute THEFT. It's illegal. You'll just have to come up to SLC and visit the Utah trophy case in order to see it for yourself.

It's real shiny!

Bring your camera with you and take pictures. You'll be amazed. You'll actually find more trophies in OUR case than the one down in the Bubble.

Anonymous | 7:19 p.m. July 12, 2009

"Michigan back in '84 had been ranked in the top 10 before they lost their quarterback."

Preseason rankings mean nothing. All that showed was that Michigan was as overrated in '84 as West Virginia and Clemson in 2008.

Funny | 7:21 p.m. July 12, 2009

It's funny how everyone likes to point out how bad Michigan was in 1984 and say how wonderful Utah was this year. If memory and record books serve me right the Michigan team that Utah barely beat this year (25-23) was one of if not the worst team Michigan had ever fielded. BYU beat a 6-5 Michigan team and Utah beat a 3-9 Michigan team. Which is the more laughable accomplishment?

Whether or not you like it each BYU player can actually show you a ring that says National Champions and it's in the record books.

re-good stuff | 7:22 p.m. July 12, 2009

i liked what you said. im a die hard utah ute fan. but i have to admit. there wasnt luck involved in these two season. yeah the tcu game the kicker missed 2 chip shots. but dont forget the U had to drive down and score twice. that takes a good team to be able to do that. same with byu in 84. they didnt get lucky in games. they just executed the way they needed to. good job to both schools for their success

re: BigBYUFan | 7:27 p.m. July 12, 2009

"Wasn't that michagan team the SAME michgan team that finished ranked #2 in 1985?"

Nope. That was a DIFFERENT Michigan team. Was the '85 cougar team that lost to UTEP, UCLA, and Ohio St. the SAME tdS team as the one who ran the table against the 104th (out of 108) ranked SOS? Well? Was it? Bosco was a Senior QB that year. Why didn't they go undefeated and win the NC? Is it because their SOS in 1985 was more challenging than their '84 schedule? The tdS can't win the big game, and they didn't HAVE any big games in '84. They faced NO teams finishing in the polls in '84. Could it be that teams are different from year to year? Could it be that graduation of Seniors and the development of underclassmen prevent the same teams from winning the NC every year?

@ 5:54 p.m. | 7:36 p.m. July 12, 2009

The Utes only take a back seat to the cougars in Provo. Everywhere else throughout the country, UTAH carries the banner for the MWC.

And TCU takes a backseat to the Utes.

And Boise St. takes a backseat to TCU.

Fresno St. and Navy STILL have more wins over BCS opponents than the "why?". Hawai'i has still played in more BCS Bowls than you as well.

I guess cougs have been bumped all the way to the back of the bus.

Sad, sad, delusional zoobs!

yewts are crying | 7:37 p.m. July 12, 2009

whether BYU earned the NC, or even deserved the NC in 1984 doesn't matter.. they are on the books as the 1984 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. The yewts will cry like the babies they are because they will NEVER be on the books as a National Champion. Cry babies, cry babies... whine, whine, whine.

Get over yourselves yewts! We just don't care about your past and we aren't afraid of your future. We are Cougars. We can laugh at your childish tantums.

GO COUGS!!!!

25 years later | 7:43 p.m. July 12, 2009

BYU still has the only national championship in football from the state of Utah. BTW, Utah has a good year once every 4-5 years. BYU has long dominated conference championships. ute fans should quit whining like whittingham did after the 2006 game and start recruiting. Boy, the utes are getting killed in recruiting by BYU.

GUTLESS | 7:51 p.m. July 12, 2009

The "REDEST TEAM" (MOST CONSERVATIVE) from the "REDEST STATE" (MOST CONSERVATIVE) complaining and whining about LACK OF ACCESS to another trip to the big one.

LOL

The BCS represents all that is GREAT and GOOD about CAPITALISM.

WEALTH is centered in the hands of a few.

He who has the gold makes the rules.

PERFECT!

Re: Funny | 8:07 p.m. July 12, 2009

"BYU beat a 6-5 Michigan team and Utah beat a 3-9 Michigan team. Which is the more laughable accomplishment?"

The tdS' W was the more laughable. Why?

(1) The tdS beat Michigan in the Holiday Bowl. That's in San Diego. The Utes beat the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Edge: Utah
(2) The tdS beat an unranked 6-6 Michigan team, by only 7 points, and needed a late 4th Qtr rally to do so. The Utes beat THEIR bowl opponent, a 12-1 4th ranked SEC team (Alabama) in convincing fashion. And by Halftime no less. Edge: Utah

6-5 Michigain team | 8:08 p.m. July 12, 2009

So how is beating a 3-9 Michigain team by 2 points better than beating a 6-5 Michigain team in the National Championship.

Re: Seattle Cougar | 8:14 p.m. July 12, 2009

"[the Utes] should thank the TCU frosh kicker for pretty much giving the game away at Utah."

Did you even WATCH that game? That frosh kicker, as well as the entire TCU team, can thank the referees for even keeping that kicker in the game with all those Pass Interference (offensive AND defensive) calls they got away with. If you watched the game on TV, you would have heard the color analysts going on and on about those missed calls.

We went ahead and beat them ANYWAY. THAT's why we were the best team in the conference last year.

Howard S. | 8:18 p.m. July 12, 2009

"When we get together, it's like we've never been apart. It's like it's 1984."

Sort of reminds me of the collective Cougar Nation. The Nation lives in 1984.

That legacy will never get BYU to BCS bowl, much less win one.

Re: 6-5 Michigain [sic] team | 8:20 p.m. July 12, 2009

I already told you. We beat them in an AWAY game. Jack Murphy Stadium is like a HOME game for the tdS.

Besides, if you want to compare apples to apples, you would have to compare BOWL opponents, since Michigan was your Bowl game. Our Bowl opponent was 4th ranked Alabama (12-1). THAT RIGHT THERE trumps yours. Going further, we didn't need any 4th Qtr rally to beat our superior opponent. We beat them by Halftime.

National Championship | 8:29 p.m. July 12, 2009

The 1984 BYU is way better than the Utes of 2004 and 2008. Both of those Utah teams barely beat anyone. And if you look at each of our 1984 games, we blew everyone out. And in the Holiday Bowl, we beat MICHIGAN!!! And check out all of the ranked teams we beat! And now with Jake Heaps, we will probably win 2 more!

Why? | 8:30 p.m. July 12, 2009

If the tdS is such a vaunted program, how come they only have had only ONE undefeated season? The tdS has played a LOT of creampuff schedules. Shouldn't they have gone undefeated at least twice by now? The Utes have just this decade alone, and 7 in their history.

If the tdS NC Trophy is so valid, why haven't they been able to come even CLOSE to replicating that feat? The BCS, the system that keeps non-BCS teams out wasn't in effect until 1998. What happened between 1985 and 1997? Why no undefeated teams?

This year, the tdS actually has a schedule to be reckoned with. How many tdS fans, when faced with a schedule with the likes of Oklahoma and Florida St, along with highly touted Utah and TCU teams, REALLY BELIEVE they'll go undefeated THIS year? And 3 of those 4 teams are at HOME! How many tdS fans REALLY BELIEVE they'll go undefeated at HOME in 2009? Answer: Only the zoobiest of zoobies. Because EVERYBODY ELSE KNOWS the tdS can't win the big game. Much less 4 big games.

Utah Fan | 8:54 p.m. July 12, 2009

Yup. It never fails. Any article about BYU or Utah football always turns into the amazing irony: BYU fans telling Utah fans that two undefeated seasons and two BCS bowl victories in only five seasons is nothing to be proud about.

Of course the BYU fans fail to realize the hilarious irony of that: BYU is trying to accomplish an undefeated season and win a BCS bowl itself. Then, if (and that's a big if) BYU accomplishes that, it will be a big deal. But since Utah did it twice in five seasons, BYU fans think it isn't anything impressive. Yet they are hoping to do it themselves.

Funny, funny, funny.

Personally, I would not worry about Utah when thinking about the '84 National Championship. Just enjoy the history. It is fun to look back, even for a Utah fan.

Re: Re WaspFan @ 2:48 | 9:09 p.m. July 12, 2009

The main point of my wasting my time (I suppose) was to educate that neither the BCS nor the system they had in 1984 is a NCAA sanctioned National Championship. When Florida won the BCS Championship game did they receive a NCAA trophy? No! The BCS is an organization put together by the elite conferences, that's it, nothing really more. The only true NCAA football championships exist at the lower divisions where they do something marvelous called a TOURNAMENT! BYU was recognized by several (media) organizations as National Champions while Florida was recognized by the BCS and other (media) organizations. Bottom line, each was a beauty contest with different rules. Only when the NCAA comes up with a 16 team tournament where all 11 conferences can send a champion representative from their league as well as the top five other at large teams from whatever conference, can we really say a true NCAA champion exists. So again, let's praise BYU and Utah's two undefeated teams for their remarkable achievement in the history of beehive football, what each did was a huge accomplishment.

Nic | 9:40 p.m. July 12, 2009

You win some you lose some. Both schools have had great teams in the past, no doubt. Let's look ahead and see what they will do this year.

re: National Championship | 9:51 p.m. July 12, 2009

"The ‘84 BYU is way better than the Utes of ‘04 and ‘08. Both of those Utah teams barely beat anyone. And if you look at each of our ‘84 games, we blew everyone out."

BYU 1984:

BYU 20
Pitt. 14
[Pitt finished 3-7-1];

BYU 18
Hawai'i 13
[UH finished 7-4];

BYU 41
Wyoming 38
[UW finished 6-6];

BYU 30
Air Force 25
[AFA finished 8-4];

BYU 24
Utah 14
[UU finished 6-5-1];

BYU 24
Mich. 17
[UM finished 6-6];

Number of ranked teams BYU beat: 0
Teams now members of BCS conferences: Pitt*, Baylor** [5-6], Michigan

*Pitt was an Independent in '84
**Baylor was a member of the now-defunct SWC

Utah 2004:

Utah 49
Air Force 35
[AFA's 14-pt loss was the closest game Utah played all season]

Number of ranked teams: 1 [#25 Pittsburgh]
BCS teams: TX A&M [7-5], Ariz. [3-8], No. Carolina [6-6], Pitt

Utah 2008:

Ranked opponents: 4 [#25 BYU, #18 Oregon St, #7 TCU, #6 Alabama]

Add'l BCS team: Mich. [3-9]

# of BYU seasons that can hold a CANDLE to '04 or '08 Utah: N/A

re: Nat. Champs-cinderella style | 9:57 p.m. July 12, 2009

"This is truly one of the great football stories off all time. It is really a David vs. Goliath."

Which of opponents in 1984 did you consider the "Goliath"? In which game were you "David"? Was it vs. 6-5 Tulsa? 5-6 Baylor? 3-7-1 Pitt?

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