1983 HOLIDAY BOWL

12.23.83 San Diego, Calif. (51,480) 

Yet another chapter was added to the saga of impossible, thrilling Holiday Bowl finishes when BYU defeated Missouri, 21-17. The game was billed as a classic matchup between Missouri’s stubborn defense and BYU’s explosive offense, led by quarterback Steve Young. Missouri held BYU to just 167 yards and seven points in the first half, while BYU’s defense allowed the Tigers only 157 yards and 10 points. Missouri got its first-half points on a two-yard run by Eric Drain and a 37-yard field goal by Brad Burditt. BYU’s touchdown came on a 10-yard quarterback draw by Young. In the second half, Young hit Eddie Stinnett with a 33-yard touchdown pass. But Missouri came right back with another two-yard plunge by Drain. A valiant goal-line stand by BYU gave the Cougars the ball on the six-yard-line with 3:57 left in the game. Led by Young, the Cougars moved down the field to the Missouri 15 with under a minute to play. On first-and-10 at the Tigers’ 15, Young handed to Stinnett, who faked a sweep right and threw back across the field to Young. The Stinnett pass barely cleared the outstretched hands of Missouri’s Bobby Bell allowing Young to gather it in and scramble 15 yards to the end zone. The PAT gave BYU a 21-17 lead with 23 seconds left. Kyle Morrell intercepted a Missouri desperation pass at the BYU two-yard line and returned it to the 17 to seal the win.