2008 LAS VEGAS BOWL

12.20.08 Las Vegas, Nev. (40,047) 

BYU totaled 444 yards of total offense compared to Arizona’s 416, but the No. 16 Cougars fell short of their third-straight bowl victory, falling 31-21 to the Arizona Wildcats in the 2008 Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on Dec. 20. Trailing late in the game, BYU put pressure on Arizona with a comeback attempt when the Cougars followed a touchdown with a successful on-side kick. Wide receiver O’Neill Chambers recovered the ball for BYU, but the ensuing field-goal attempt hit the upright and left the Wildcats with a two-possession lead, enough to hold on for the win. Despite the loss, the Cougars boasted two 100-yard receivers for only the third time on the season with wideouts Austin Collie and Michael Reed recording 119 and 117 yards, respectively. With his performance, Collie continued to set BYU records in career receptions (215) and single-season receptions (106). The All-American receiver also tied an NCAA single-season record held with Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree with his 11th consecutive 100-yard receiving game. BYU quarterback Max Hall completed 30-of-46 passes for 328 yards and one touchdown pass. He also scrambled into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown with 3:38 remaining in the game. Sophomore running back Harvey Unga recorded a rushing touchdown for the Cougars and ended the night with 71 yards on 17 carries. The Cougars finished the year 10-3 while the Wildcats improved to 8-5. BYU is one of only seven programs in the nation to win 10 or more games each of the past three seasons. The Cougars last accomplished the feat from 1983-85. A crowd of 40,047 watched the game, marking the fourth-highest attendance at a Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl and the seventh-best attendance in Sam Boyd Stadium history.