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Nov 14, 2024
8:42:03am
Duce All-American
Top Holy War Games of all-time
My criteria: (1) The stakes; (2) the drama; and (3) it must be a BYU win.

1. 2024: To me, this goes down as the greatest Holy War game of all time. The stakes couldn't have been higher. The win preserved our perfect season with a playoff bid at stake, sent Utah to their 5th straight loss, and exposed the pettiness of Utah to the Big 12 and the entire nation. The drama also couldn't have been any higher--the game appeared over on two consecutive 4th and 10 plays, and also included a near game-ending interception. This was a rip-your-heart-out game. Just incredible.
2. 2001: I had forgotten that with 3:30 left, BYU was down 21-10. Staley's 30 yard jaunt down the sideline still might be the loudest LES has ever been. If memory serves, Utah had a 4th and 1 with a little over 2 minutes left around midfield up 21-18 and chose to punt it. Utah was in field goal range when Gilford made the game winning interception. This win also preserved our perfect season and kept BYU in the mix for a possible BCS bowl game.
3. 2006: Utah went up 27-21 with 1:19 left. BYU's game winning drive included a 4th and 4 conversion from midfield with 30 seconds left. Of course, we all know how this game ended. The reason I have this number 3 is the stakes just weren't as high as the 2024 and 2001 games. The win, however, clinch the MWC championship and give us a 10-2 season.
4. 2007: Utah took a 10-9 lead with 1:34 left. Before the 4th and 18 completion to Collie, Hall fumbled on a near strip-sack on 1st down which resulted in an 8 yard loss. Unga scored on an 11 yard with 38 seconds left. A Hail Mary by Utah fell incomplete in the endzone as time expired. This win also clinched a 10-2 season and a MWC title.
5. 2009: Utah kicked a field goal with 30 seconds left to tie the game at 20 after BYU led 20-6 to start the 4th quarter. George scored on a 25 yard pass on the second play of overtime after Utah scored first on a field goal. This win clinched the MWC title and another 10-2 season.
6. 2000: With 2:16 left, Utah took a 27-26 lead. On 4th and 13 from the BYU 17 with 1:04 left Doman completed a 35 yard pass to Pittman followed by another 35 yard completion to Pittman on the very next play that put BYU at the Utah 15 yard line. Doman scored on a six yard keeper with 23 seconds left. This game was high in drama but low in stakes. We finished the season 6-6 after this win but did not go to a bowl game.
Duce
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Duce
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