Cougar Kickoff Countdown: 83 Days & a 83-Yard Punt Return

Before Vai Sikahema became the first Tongan player in the NFL he made a big splash at BYU as a freshman returning punts. Perhaps his most remembered play as a Cougar came against SMU in the 1980 Holiday bowl. SMU was rolling BYU in the first half and was up 29-7 just before halftime. The Cougar defense held and forced the Mustangs to punt. The punt was short and took a big bounce, several SMU players overran the ball and Sikahema took a chance. He caught the ball in stride, catching the SMU punt team off guard, and made the 83 yard dash into the end zone. Cougars were still down 29-14 at the half but found themselves in a much better position to stage an epic comeback in the second half.