2001 LIBERTY BOWL 

12.31.01 Memphis, Tenn. (58,968)

The Champions of the MWC faced Louisville, the champions of Conference USA. The Cardinals, led by quarterback Dave Ragone, took an early lead, scoring on a one-yard dive by Henry Miller that was set up by Zek Parker’s 70-yard return of the opening kickoff. Midway through the second quarter the Cougar offense came alive, driving to the Louisville 10-yard line. Quarterback Brandon Doman dropped back and rolled right as if to pass, then turned to his left and threw the ball to Dustin Rykert on a tackle-eligible play. All 6-foot-7, 305 pounds of offensive tackle outran the Cardinal defense to the corner and rumbled 10 yards to the end zone to tie the game 7-7. Louisville just managed to take a 14-7 lead into the break, scoring with only 14 seconds left. Louisville contained the Cougar attack for the remainder of the game while reaching the end zone twice more themselves. Although Louisville went on to win 28-10, BYU’s defense played one of its best games of the season, holding the Cardinals’ high-powered offense to 228 yards passing and only 58 yards rushing.