Day Game (Overcast, Threatening, 6 °) (30,415)
This contest was a crucial one, indeed, for the Cougars. A win over the Aztecs would (1) clinch the WAC championship and (2) assure the Cougars of a berth in the Holiday Bowl.
Both teams, who were meeting for the first time as WAC members, had one common obstacle -- the weather. It snowed the night before, and more snow was threatening.
Quarterback Jim McMahon put the first score on the board with an 11-yard rush soon after the start of the second periond.
At the end of the game, Coach Claude Gilbert of SDS said BYU's defense was superior.
But, the Aztec defense wasn't bad either. Eight times they cracked through to sack the BYU quarterback.
But the Cougars managed to control the game in the first half with ball possession (nearly 20 minutes to 10).
Statistically, San Diego State had the edge, 276 yards total offense to BYU's 180.
SDS fumbled six times, losing it three times.
The win gave the Cougars the WAC title, their third in the last four years, and a ticket to the Holiday Bowl.
BYU now 7-2.