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Starting in 2001, the Las Vegas Bowl featured a matchup of teams from the Mountain West Conference (MWC) and Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10), with organizers having first choice of bowl-eligible teams from the MWC, and the fourth or fifth choice (alternating annually) of bowl-eligible teams from the Pac-10.
Game summary
Riding a 9-game winning streak entering the game, a veteran BYU squad led by seniors John Beck, Curtis Brown, Jonny Harline, and Justin Robinson dominated Oregon from the start. Beck had 375 yards passing and accounted for 3 touchdowns, while Brown ran for an additional 120 yards and 2 touchdowns. Harline, an All-American tight end, earned MVP honors with 9 catches for 181 yards and a score. Robinson had 2 interceptions and led a strong effort by the Cougar defense that held the Ducks to just 120 yards through the first three quarters of play. Oregon had attempted to confuse BYU by alternating Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf at quarterback, but it seemed to backfire, as the Ducks' offense never established any rhythm. Oregon's only touchdown came on a 47-yard pass play in the fourth quarter, after the game's outcome had already been decided. The victory was particularly satisfying for BYU, as Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti had made controversial comments prior to the game indicating that BYU (from the Mountain West conference) was not good enough to compete in the Pac-10.
Statistics
Statistics
BYU
ORE
First downs
30
14
Plays–yards
78-548
64-260
Rushes–yards
31-173
30-94
Passing yards
375
166
Passing: comp–att–int
28-47-2
16-34-2
Time of possession
20:59
14:55
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
BYU
Passing
John Beck
28/46, 375 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Curtis Brown
17 carries, 120 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Johnny Harline
9 receptions, 181 yards, 1 TD
Oregon
Passing
Dennis Dixon
10/20, 122 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Dennis Dixon
10 carries, 51 yards
Receiving
Brian Paysinger
1 reception, 47 yards, 1 TD
Additional notes
This was the Cougars' first bowl victory since defeating Kansas State in the 1997 Cotton Bowl Classic.
Oregon wore their black-black home uniform with a unique logo-less helmet.
The official attendance of 44,615 set a new stadium record and was the largest crowd ever attend a team sports event in the state of Nevada.