The 1980 Holiday Bowl featured two teams with distinctly different offensive philosophies. SMU relied upon the running of Eric Dickerson and Craig James, while BYU boasted an explosive aerial attack led by Jim McMahon.

The Mustangs jumped out of the gate early, racing to a 19-0 lead in the first quarter after touchdown runs by Dickerson and James, a safety and a 42-yard field goal by Eddie Garcia. SMU had increased its lead to 29-7 in the second quarter before BYU's Vai Sikahema returned a punt 83 yards, pulling the Cougars within 16 at halftime. Entering the fourth quarter, SMU led 38-19, and with four minutes remaining the Mustangs held a 45-25 advantage.

With his team trailing by 20, McMahon led BYU to two quick touchdowns to cut the SMU lead to 45-39. With 18 seconds remaining, BYU's Bill Schoepfl in blocked Eric Kaifes' punt to give BYU possession at the Mustang 41-yard line. After two desperation passes by McMahon fell incomplete, the Cougars had one final opportunity with just three seconds left. As time expired, McMahon found tight end Clay Brown in the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown pass, guiding BYU to one of the greatest comebacks in bowl history.