1988 FREEDOM BOWL

12.29.88 Anaheim, Calif. (35,941) 

A star was born in the fifth annual Freedom Bowl when Ty Detmer came off the bench to earn MVP honors while leading the Cougars to an upset victory over Colorado. Cool weather didn’t hamper diminutive Eric Bieniemy, who rushed 33 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns. But his heroics couldn’t offset Detmer’s 11 for 19 and 129 yards in the second half. Scott Peterson made an interception to set up the game-winning field goal. It was an exciting contest for the 35,941 fans (49,694 tickets were sold) in attendance. A fumble at midfield led to the Buffaloes’ first score, before Sean Covey found Mike Salido to tie the score. An interception in the end zone stopped a BYU drive early in the second quarter as the Cougars trailed at the half, 14-7. A Detmer to Chuck Cutler pass tied the game in the third quarter but Colorado took a 17-14 lead early in the final quarter. BYU then moved from its own four to the Buffalo 14 and tied the game with 4:11 left on a 31-yarder by Chaffetz. Three plays later, Peterson’s interception and a 15-yard penalty put the ball at the Colorado 32. With 2:33 left, Chaffetz booted a 35-yarder for the victory. Halfback Matt Bellini carried eight times for 78 yards and caught four passes for 41 yards.