Deseret News | BYU football: Y. survived a couple of close calls

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BYU football: Y. survived a couple of close calls

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I Remember | 12:30 a.m. July 13, 2009

BYU fans may remember Kyle Morrell for the "Immaculate Tackle" bringing down Rafael Cherry but I remember Kyle for that and many other memories like juking me out of my socks when he was a senior and I was a sophomore during 2-a-days in the summer of 1980.

Kyle was our star quarterback, free-safety, guard (basketball) and pitcher. He wore No. 7 on our football team then. His older brother Guy Morrell who starred at the UofU as a linebacker was a "guest" coach on the team during Kyle's senior year. To this day I don't know if I've ever met anyone who could motivate others like his brother could.

We won only 2 regular season games all year against our rival Bountiful (AWESOME GAME!) and Woods Cross but still managed to qualify for state playoffs. At a lowly 2-6 we went all the way to the State Championship (then 6-6) before losing to West.

I was proud to hear Kyle was drafted by Minnesota in the 4th round and that he became a starter. Without injuries he would have been around a loooong time.

Dan Maloy
Viewmont HS, Class of '83

Anonymous | 12:32 a.m. July 13, 2009

the second in an eight part series.....good lord

Thanks for filling in | 5:13 a.m. July 13, 2009

Great Article, looking forward to the next 6. Something great to read while we wait for football season to come

Comments continue below

Let it go | 6:29 a.m. July 13, 2009

I'm as big a Cougar fan as you'll find, but it's articles like this that I believe create problems today. Can we please move on and let these old men sit around and talk to each other and not have to relive the gray-haired days with them. We all know the stories, we cheered them when they happened and have read about them for years and years. It's time to let today's Cougars come out from under the shadow of the past and create their own reputation. I get so tired of hearing about the good ole days in Provo. Yippeee, Kyle made the greatest tackle ever....100 years ago!

1984 | 6:32 a.m. July 13, 2009

These types of articles just encourage more dwelling in the past. One of the biggest knocks against BYU fans is that we talk about 1984 too much. It's time for us to move on folks.

Re: Anonymous | 6:35 a.m. July 13, 2009

And I'm gonna make you read all of them. You don't have the ability to stop reading articles about BYU football, so the Deseret News is going to keep printing them. To add insult to injury, I heard that no BYU fans even read the paper. The entire target market is comprised of people with no ability to choose for themselves what they read...

DennyG | 6:49 a.m. July 13, 2009

History doesn't improve the present. It's like rubbing salt in an open wound. There are no Kyles in the program right now. Maybe never will be again. It seems we don't learn from our mistakes, we add to them with this kind of reporting.

Ouch | 7:07 a.m. July 13, 2009

One or maybe two articles is enough, but a series. Trust me. Only a few diehard will read these and the U will be frothing at the mouth. I don't blame them. I have read my last one. Give us a break. Nine of them. You have got to be kidding me. And the purpose is what????? We all remember it. We probably remember it better than you do. TO: Annonymous Right on. Plus if you remember the championship going to the Y was criticize because that year the Y really didn't have any competition to speak of. Forerunner of present situation. At least today the champion has to have played some real competition.)

Smitty | 7:47 a.m. July 13, 2009

I love these 1984 articles and I am a die hard BYU fan. I feel sorry for the rest of you complaining about them. You don't like them so don't read them. I was there at the time and remember all of the drama. I read about it them and I am reading about it now. I read several sections of the Deseret News every day. Part of me is always hoping there will be an article about BYU athletics.

DreamOn | 7:48 a.m. July 13, 2009

I too lived through the fall of 1984 and remember well this play. The observation of the announcers at the time was that it was one for the ages. Certainly, no other individual play hsa affected the course of events for and the dreams of cougar fans. Those who scorn the commemoration and remembrance of the past are not real fans or aficionados of BYU sports which means they do not have the same memories to remember. Remember, winning any football game, even a bowl game, is NOT the same as winning a National Championship!! Until your memories include a emotional season like the events of 1984; dream on.

re: Ouch | 7:50 a.m. July 13, 2009

Froth on... Go back to the Trib...

RE: Let it go, 1984 | 7:52 a.m. July 13, 2009

You two sure you're not Ute trolls? The greatest season in ANY BYU sport EVER--and you want to move beyond it? Just forget it ever happened?

Please. Any REAL BYU fan wants to get BACK to this undefeated season. That's not living in the past--it's trying to learn POSITIVE lessons from it. BYU's been there before. Trying to get back to it is no crime. Neither is celebrating it after 25 years. (Uh, hello, anniversary commemoration?)

Take it from someone who attended every home game in 1984--I'd love to see BYU do it again. "Let it go" and "1984," I'll gladly offer to take your season tickets off your hands when that happens. You won't want to be there for that, either, right?

Relax | 7:55 a.m. July 13, 2009

I will read them all. Keep them coming. Good stuff.

re: Let it Go | 7:55 a.m. July 13, 2009

"I'm as big a Cougar fan as you'll find" is code for "My favorite color is crimson". Look up the definition of "fan". A "fan" does not "let it go".

Funny | 8:09 a.m. July 13, 2009

I don't remember the play or the player's name. IT WAS 25 YEARS AGO! Weren't they using leather helmets and playing in black and white back then? Did it even resemble the game we call football today? I don't know - I wasn't around. Maybe I'll ask my grandpa.

Re: Re Let it go, 1984 | 8:12 a.m. July 13, 2009

If that is the best season of BYU sports, ever...than you're program is lame. You were undefeated, but the records of your opponents was horrible, and you beat a 6-5 Michigan team. It's cool that you won the so called championship, even though there wasn't a true championship...more like you finished #1...(again, against a 6-5 team). But look, if that's the best season BYU will ever have, than that's cool. Good job and keep citing it. Since when was the good ole days, and no challenges, considered to produce the best of something. That's not what our church teaches.

Who cares! | 8:23 a.m. July 13, 2009

I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep over what the yewts think or care about. Keep the articles coming.

It's fun to remember... | 8:23 a.m. July 13, 2009

which is about all we can do in the middle of July so get over it. We'll all be happy when real football starts, but nobody is forcing ewe to read it. I'd say an 8 part story for the 25 year anniversary of the National Championship is about right. Keep it coming.

Here's a summary of the Yewt posters various forthcoming comments:

1) Some variation on "1984 was a long time ago, and so it's irrelevant." Even though we all read the article.
2) Some comment about how the U's 2004 and 2008 teams were so much better, and BYU is pathetic for dwelling on the past.
3) Some comment about how BYU didn't deserve the NC because of a weak schedule. I think it's hilarious how Ute fans hypocritically use the same arguments the BCS uses against the non-BCS with a straight face.
4) Acknowledging the hypocriticism in line 3 above, some Utes pose as outsiders from some BCS school saying how pathetic BYU fans are for pretending to be elite. As if Texas and Ohio State fans cruise the Desnews every day to comment on BYU articles. lol.

Seriously | 8:25 a.m. July 13, 2009

Well, I guess the zoobs have something to cheer about now. They can all look back in pride at 1984 when half of them weren't even born and beam proudly about there undefeated season. Oh, BTW the Utes have done that twice in the last five years. This has to be the brain child of Dick Harmon. Real great sports reporting. Obviously, newspaper space isn't as valuable as it used to be. Yawn.

Knowwhat | 8:27 a.m. July 13, 2009

Greatest defensive play in BYU history was 25 years ago. It has been nothing but downhill on defense since then. "One for the ages was I believe a quote by Mr. Impartiality himself, Paul James. I grew up a BYU fan, family had season tickets, relatives played at BYU, I could wait for BYU games, now I can't wait tell they are over.

jefe57 | 8:50 a.m. July 13, 2009

84 was great. Kyle Morrell's tackle was inspiring. BYU will always have 84 and no one can take it away. It was 25 years ago. I mean no disrespect to the 84 team, but it's time to move on. I just wish BYU could currently play defense like it did in 84 and 96.

Re: Knowwhat | 9:02 a.m. July 13, 2009

Assuming that is a real quote from Paul James, what is the exact date of it?

Because there were alot of BYU fans, not just Paul James, who were saying the same things during the Gary Crowton era.

Anyone who says that now, after three straight winning seasons, is merely a Ute troll posing as a BYU fan.

Just sayin'.

Scoobie | 9:03 a.m. July 13, 2009

Jeff Call
You need to check your facts as well as DreamOn The 1984 Championship was a result of the 1983 season. The Holiday Bowl against Michigan was Dec. 27, 1983. That's the whole reason we have the BCS mess to begin with... A National Championship to an unknown team from the Rockies...who played a bowl game in some podunk little Bowl in San Diego in December and not the Rose,the Sugar,or the Orange, on New Years Day. To them we violated their Holy Traditions.

Great to be a Cougar! | 9:04 a.m. July 13, 2009

Great play. Great memories. Great years to come.

Tradition! Spirit! Honor!

Go Cougs!!!

Dave | 9:13 a.m. July 13, 2009

At least this 8 part series will finally give you Zoobs something to cheer about even if it was a couple of generations ago and nobody else really cares.

this article... | 9:26 a.m. July 13, 2009

is the highlight of the 2009 season as well, you might as well enjoy it, the rest of the season will be a painful experience-

loyal reader | 9:42 a.m. July 13, 2009

I'm with anonymous at 12:32 a.m.

Sierra Blue | 9:46 a.m. July 13, 2009

I find it amusing that Ute fans read articles about BYU at all. Guess they don't have anything better to do with their time.

I find it particularly amusing that the Ute fans then complain when these articles are written. I guess they don't believe BYU fans have a right to read about their own team, its accomplishments and glory.

It is doubly amusing that they then complain loudly that a series of articles will be written about the '84 championship team.

But I promise you one thing. They will still read the last article in the series and post their negative diatribe.

I wonder if perhaps that might be a sign of mental instability?

Bryan | 9:47 a.m. July 13, 2009

Dave, who cares if nobody else really cares? I have been a BYU fan for over 40 years and if they did an 8 part story on Eldon "the phantom" Fortie, I would read it too. If you don't like it, don't read it. Seems your just a BYU hater and not a Ute fan after all.

RE: Utes | 9:49 a.m. July 13, 2009

I love the articles. they are interesting. I am surprised at the angst from the Ute sidelines. Nobody is making you read the articles. It is the anniversary of a great event. In 25 years I wouldn't mind if there was an article about how the Utes beat Alabama.
Remembering the great event is not living in the past. It is enjoying a great moment that won't happen to any BCS non-AQ team again unless the BCS is changed.
Go Cougs!!!

Quest for Perfection 2.0 | 9:50 a.m. July 13, 2009

Man! What a thriller this game must have been, BYU vs Hawaii! Cougars versus Rainbows for all the glory!

go figure | 9:59 a.m. July 13, 2009

I never could understand how BYU would beat one good team and then lose to a lesser opponent:

1984 Pitt - Win Hawaii - almost loss
1985 Washington - Win UTEP - loss
1990 Miami - Win Oregon - loss
2009 UCLA - blowout TCU, Utah - losses

This is has been a horribly inconsistent program over the years. We have never played like we deserved to be a top tier program.

Utah Fan | 10:05 a.m. July 13, 2009

Relax people. If you don't like the articles, then don't read them, whether you are a BYU fan or Utah fan or other.

While, I am a Utah fan, I don't mind at all reading about BYU games in the past. It brings up a few interesting memories.

If these articles about old games bother you, you've got some issues in your life to work out.

David | 10:08 a.m. July 13, 2009

I can't believe that their are those out there that don't like articles such as these. One can learn so much from the successes or failures of the past. If you don't understand the past you are setting ourself up for failure in the future. We can learn so much from these successes. I know that Coach Bronco uses this game situations, these players from the past as bench marks for our team today. Why else would he have them come and talk to the team before home games if the legend of who they are and what they accomplished while wearing BYU blue would stand to motivate the current team to reach for the bar, crush it and in turn create "the new" Kyle Morrell tackle or Clay Brown catch for future team. If we don't learn from the past we are doomed for the future!

RE: Knowwhat | 10:21 a.m. July 13, 2009

No, it was not Paul James that said "one for the ages" since Paul didn't do BYU TV games. I think this comment was made by an unknown local KSL sports broadcaster named Jim Nance. And to all the Ute Fans, you will read the same kind of things in a few years about the original BCS-busting team, so just let it go and if you don't care, don't read it. It's not worth getting all hot and bothered about. You'll have your time, don't worry about it.

RE: Go Figure | 10:23 a.m. July 13, 2009

Inconsistent in terms of 22 conference championships since 1976? huh?

Get a Grip... | 10:24 a.m. July 13, 2009

Ute and Cougar fans that are complaining about these articles! They are NOT going to do write these articles every year! This is the 25th Anniversary of the BYU national title! For those Ute fans posing as BYU fans, get a clue and DON'T read BYU articles! It's quite simple... when you see "B.Y.U." in the headline of an article, simply scroll past it to one about the Utes. Your hatred for everything BYU grows really old, really quick! I hate the Utes, but I don't go on their articles and tell them how lame it is that they've had only two great seasons in their ENTIRE history, and that it just so happens that those two seasons were in the past five years (I don't know if that's great or more embarrassing?). Okay, okay, I'll give the Utes 1994 as a good season as well, but c'mon, you lost to New Mexico that year! Some Utes act like BYU's greatest years are over, but newsflash folks BYU finished the last THREE seasons ranked and with 10 plus wins!! Cougars are BACK!!! Utes=inconsistant!

1984 | 10:30 a.m. July 13, 2009

I'm enjoying the black and white still photographs of BYU football from an age gone by. Now all we need are a couple of rocking chairs on the veranda and some tall drinks of lemonade. Nothing better than nostalgia - thinking about when BYU football mattered.

RE:RE:Knowwhat | 10:31 a.m. July 13, 2009

I think if you read my last comment you would know that I am no longer a cougar fan. I don't have the time to become fully invested.$$ But the last of the 3 straight winning seasons only ended up with a 3rd place conference finish. Morrell was a great player, but there have been many great players from many Universities. In fact the interception made by Kruger last year was on equal with Morrell's in a Ute fans eyes. Subjectivity has no equal. I can't remember anyone saying, "one for the ages" any time during the Crowton era except maybe Crowton was one of the worst head coaches that any BYU fan had seen in ages.

Dallas | 10:33 a.m. July 13, 2009

I am a BYU... big BYU fan. I have gone to several games since the early 70's up to today. I went to every single game back in 1984.

While that season was magical... whocares about it now? Honestly... who the freak cares. It is all about what have you done for me lately... and since BYU has seemed to be more into it for the sake or religion and not just good old College Football... who cares anymore!?!

GO UTES | 10:38 a.m. July 13, 2009

I only have one thing to say. The Utes are better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahah

Anonymous | 10:39 a.m. July 13, 2009

THERE WAS NO BYU NATIONAL TITLE!

STOP THE INSANITY!

PDX | 10:52 a.m. July 13, 2009

One of all-time best plays ever! I was just a kid and worshiped Morrell (and still do).

I Remember (more) | 10:53 a.m. July 13, 2009

Kyle Morrell was a 4-year letterman at BYU. As a freshman free-safety he saw significant playing time when we went into nickel defenses. Then he started as a sophomore, junior and a senior. He was a captain his senior year and was an All-American prior to being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.

He was so talented he was actually offered a football scholarship AND a baseball scholarship at BYU.

When we played a football game in American Fork during the high school playoffs he racked up a state-record 51 (statistical) defensive points in ONE game.

When he was a senior we lost our game in the first round of the state basketball playoffs to an underdog. At the end of the game Kyle was so angry he slammed the ball down onto the court and it must have bounced 50 feet in the air.

The guy was incredible. What separated him from the other guys was his phenomenal intensity and confidence.

Hats off to you, Kyle, and all the other Cougars from that '84 team!

(And to all the Ute whiners, as time goes by YOU guys will reminisce about YOUR 2008 team also).

jakedaute | 11:00 a.m. July 13, 2009

I am a Ute fan but admit to a period of apostasy that began when I moved to Utah County in 83 and that was fueled by BYU's 84 season and involved the terrible sin of becoming a Golden Cougar. (My apostasy only lasted 5-6 years and I have since fully repented and been forgiven.) Since there never has been a national champion decided on the field, BYU has every right to consider this their one and only championship season.

After reading the first two articles a couple of thoughts come to mind. BYU's 84 championship is not the first national championship to come to Utah, The Utes won the NCAA and NIT championship in the same year, have been to the finals twice since and the championship game again. They have also won several NCAA tournament games, something that cannot be said of BYU. The Utes finished number one is several fan polls last year giving us a national championship as well. You can bet though that 25 years from now we will not be reading a 8 part series about it, because the Utes will have had other equally great seasons.

Sammy | 11:03 a.m. July 13, 2009

That was a great play. I just wish they had color pictures back then.

Ute Fan | 11:09 a.m. July 13, 2009

As a Ute fan I don't have any problem with an article about the 1984 team (still gives me a chuckle). The problem I have is that they're doing an eight part series. What the heck is that all about? I can just picture Dick Harmon beaming after this dopey idea was approved.

Great play Kyle | 11:10 a.m. July 13, 2009

Aside from the Jazz, it was the greatest play in utah sports history.

GridironSam | 11:21 a.m. July 13, 2009

Kyle Morrell was a great football player. I don't know that I've ever seen anyone that skinny hit as hard as he did. He just flew around and made plays.
8-part series is probably overkill. The only problem I have is sentences that include saying BYU won the national championship over Michigan in the Holiday Bowl. That game was not a National Championship game. Michigan was 6-5 coming into that game and was not ranked. BYU won the national championship because the media writers voted them as such, not because of who they beat in the bowl game that year. It's a shame the bowl folks couldn't have arranged for a matchup vs. Washington or Oklahoma that year. And could BYU have won that game? Certainly. They would have been considerable underdogs, but they had the ability to be competitive and win.

JB | 11:22 a.m. July 13, 2009

To Anonymous (10:39 a.m. July 13): If BYU has no national title, then neither does anyone else. BYU's national championship was based on the same thing everybody's elses is based on - THE POLLS! It's still true even in today's BCS. However, on further review, your post is correct because there is no national title and won't be until there's a true playoff system of some kind.

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BYU's Kyle Morrell leaps over the line and tackles Hawaii quarterback Rafael Cherry.

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BYU football: Y. survived a couple of close calls