Great Games in KU Football History: 1992 Aloha Bowl

Kansas finished the 1992 regular season 7-4 with notable wins over Oregon State, Oklahoma, and K-State. They deserved their bowl game, but few really gave Kansas a chance against Brigham Young, an offensive powerhouse in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

This game started off with a bang. BYU returned the opening kickoff for a 94-yard score and this looked a lot like what the Jayhawks dealt with when they lost to Big 8 powers Nebraska and Colorado and ended the season on a three game skid.

But this resilient KU team wasn’t shaken. On KU’s second play from scrimmage, quarterback Chip Hilleary passed laterally to Matt Gay who then connected for a 73-yard touchdown to Rodney Harris. 7-7.

The KU defense was the difference in this game as they sacked the fourth string Cougar quarterback Tom Young six times, but the defensive play of the game was a tackle of a running back for a loss after BYU scored a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead. Chris Maumalanga tackled running back Jamal Willis in the endzone for a safety and it cut the BYU lead to 14-9. It was 14-12 Cougars at the half after a Dan Eichloff field goal for KU.

BYU started off the second half and promptly scored, giving them an 8 point lead, but this determined group of Jayhawks were not to be denied the school’s first bowl win since the 1961 Bluebonnet Bowl.

Chip Hilleary led KU on a 75-yard drive that also culminated in a successful two-point conversion and the game was tied. With 2:57 to play Eichloff nailed a clutch 48-yard field goal and Kansas had its first lead.

There was still plenty of work to do, and although the Cougars were using their fourth string QB, the school is famous for its passing prowess so the Kansas defense had to come up big in the final minutes. It did.

All-American Dana Stubblefield pressured Young and it led to a wobbly pass and an interception by KU’s Charley Bowen. KU then ran out the clock to win the game.

By the way, here’s the quote of the day in the Deseret News’ recap of the game: “Kansas sacked Young six times, three of those courtesy of Stubblefield, who looked like he wanted to rent a condo in BYU’s backfield.”

Kansas 23, BYU 20. Aloha Bowl Champions!