2009: Brigham Young vs Oklahoma

helmetshistory2009

2009: No. 20 BYU Cougars 14, No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners 13

Originally called the Cowboys Classic, the series kicked off in style when the third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners faced off against the No. 20 BYU Cougars to open the 2009 college football season in the newly-minted palatial Cowboys Stadium.

Oklahoma entered the season coming off of an appearance in the national championship game and expecting to again challenge for the title, but a crushing injury and a frantic rally by the Cougars dealt the Sooners a crushing blow. BYU scored the game-winning touchdown with 3:03 left in the game to shock the Sooners 14-13 in front of 75,437 fans witnessing the first-ever college football game in the new stadium.

The Sooners’ offense struggled to get going after reigning Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford went down with a shoulder injury late in the second quarter. He would not return in the contest, keeping the high-powered Oklahoma offense stymied and allowing BYU to hang around.

As the game wore on, the Cougars gained confidence and were able to control the ball for much of the second half, though neither team was able to mount much of an offensive threat. After a scoreless third quarter, Oklahoma was able to tack on to its precarious 10-7 halftime lead with a fourth quarter field goal. However, BYU mounted a 16-play, 78-yard game winning drive that featured a 23-yard fourth down conversion and seven plays inside the Oklahoma seven-yard line. Finally, BYU quarterback Max Hall found wide receiver McKay Jaconson for a seven-yard touchdown pass that would prove to be the game-winner, sending the BYU contingent of the crown into jubilation and leaving the pro-Sooner faithful in disbelief.