Cougar Classics: BYU Wins Down South In Knoxville Tennessee

PROVO, Utah – The BYU Cougar’s 2019 football season was a wild roller coaster ride. There were some unexpected twists and moments worth remembering – beginning with BYU’s win at Tennessee.

I’ll never forget being in the famous Neyland Stadium as the offensive line pushed and pushed until Ty’Son Williams found the end-zone capping off an incredible come from behind victory in Knoxville Tennessee for the BYU Cougar football team.

Each week on sports.ksl.com, Cougar Sports Saturday hosts, Mitch Harper and I will be reminiscing on great BYU moments from the past. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves remembering the good ole days as we wait for sports to return.

Our first visit down memory lane was from early September 2019 when the Cougars made their first-ever visit to Neyland Stadium to face the Tennessee Volunteers.

The Tennessee marching band playing Rocky Top prior to kickoff. Such a cool atmosphere here at Neyland Stadium. pic.twitter.com/fqW2Yy7mKY

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 7, 2019

It didn’t seem like a big win at the time. Tennessee was winless after losing their home opener to Georgia Southern. They continued to struggle throughout the first half of the season. By the time Tennessee righted the ship, the Cougars’ first win of the season was an afterthought.

Looking back though, this was one of the better road wins of the Kalani Sitake era. The Vols finished the season on a six-game winning stream, including a bowl win vs Indiana.

This win will be remembered for many reasons. It was their 4th ever win over an SEC opponent. It was the moment Ty’Son Williams burst on the scene rushing 17 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns.

Most of all though, it will be remembered for the improbable 64-yard completion from Zach Wilson, who delivered a beautiful pass down the sideline to Micah Simon that set up Jake Oldroyd for the game-tying kick. A kick that was inches from being no good.

Up until this game, Simon was viewed by Cougar nation as a receiver who never met expectations. He went on to have a fantastic senior season for the Cougars leading the team with 51 receptions and one drop. Only “honey hands” Matt Bushman beat him in that category, with zero dropped passes.

Everyone will remember Micah Simon’s big grab near the end of regulation, but catches like this one below on critical third downs were huge during Simon’s career night. #BYU pic.twitter.com/gK9MjLmCGs

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 9, 2019

Before the season began, I had a feeling that Micah Simon would surprise Cougar fans. He spent countless hours after practice on the jugs machine and carried himself with an added level of confidence heading into the season.

His reception that night will be replayed for decades to come.

The home of the Vols is an amazing college football venue. It’s nearly 100 years old. It’s situated on the banks of the Tennessee River. Construction began March 1921 and after several renovations, the official capacity is now 102,445. It’s the fifth-largest college football stadium in the country.

It’s incredible to think that one of BYU’s great memories of the past decade took place in one of the most historic venues.

ICYMI: Cougar Sports Saturday revisits the memorable #BYU win at Neyland Stadium. https://t.co/5Ak6CYibzN pic.twitter.com/wuWihT8923

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) April 13, 2020

Each week on Cougar Sports Saturday we will be dishing out awards to various players and moments from memorable BYU games.

The two awards given out each week are the “Andrew George award” given to an underrated player who played a large role in a win and the “Norm Chow award” given to a specific play in the game that helped BYU secure the win.

Andrew George Award Winners

Mitch Harper: Kavika Fonua

“The linebacker position for BYU was such a question mark heading into the 2019 season. And in game two to have one of those linebackers show out and get 10 tackles and an interception which swung the momentum and put things on an even playing field for BYU.”

Matt Baiamonte: Sawyer Powell

“I thought he did a really nice job in that game. He had eight tackles, he was the third leading tackler with a couple pass breakups. I thought Powell did a nice job at that safety position.”

Dallen Graff: Austin Lee

“You look at the box score, six tackles and some big pass deflections. Personally, I underrated how good Austin Lee was this year. I don’t think I noticed him and that’s unfair to him. What he did and the impact he had was huge.”

Norm Chow Award-Winning Plays

Mitch Harper:

Game-winning handoff to Ty’Son Williams in double overtime.

Matt Baiamonte:

Third and sixth handoff to Ty’son Williams for the first BYU touchdown in the third quarter.

Dallen Graff:

The reverse handoff to Aleva Hivo in double overtime that set up that game-winning touchdown run.

I’ll always remember walking out of Neyland Stadium on that humid September evening hearing various chants of “BYU” throughout the streets. Cougar faithful took their sweet time leaving the stadium. Who can blame them as they savored every moment – I know I did.

#BYU fans being heard in Neyland Stadium after the Cougars come away with a 29-26 victory. #BYUvsTENN #KSLsports pic.twitter.com/dWSJ9MUb3n

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 8, 2019

What should our next “Cougar Classic” be? Vote on our poll each Monday to determine what memorable victory will be the next “Cougar Classic.”

Cougar Sports Saturday Poll:

Each Saturday on #BYUCSS @Mitch_Harper and @baiamontematt will revisit classic cougar moments. What memorable win should be discussed next? @BYUfootball #BYU #GoCougs

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 13, 2020