Top 10 QBs BYU Has Ever Beaten
Over the decades, BYU football has squared off against some of the most talented quarterbacks in college football history—and often come out on top. Here’s a look at 10 of the most notable QBs the Cougars have taken down:
1. Troy Aikman (UCLA)
Before becoming a Hall of Fame NFL quarterback, Aikman led the Bruins. In 1988, BYU took him down in a 41-10 rout in Provo.
2. Ty Detmer (Houston)
In a 1990 Holiday Bowl thriller, BYU and its own Heisman winner Ty Detmer outdueled Houston’s explosive offense led by David Klinger, a future top-10 NFL Draft pick.
3. Kellen Moore (Boise State)
Moore had an elite 50–3 record at Boise State, but BYU handed him one of those rare losses in 2012, shutting down his offense in a tight defensive battle.
4. Josh Allen (Wyoming)
Now a star with the Buffalo Bills, Allen faced BYU in the 2016 Poinsettia Bowl, where the Cougar defense held him to just 207 passing yards in a 24-21 BYU win.
5. Carson Palmer (USC)
The 2002 Heisman winner and future No. 1 NFL pick fell to BYU during his early USC years. The Cougars dominated with a dynamic passing game.
6. Colin Kaepernick (Nevada)
Before leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl, Kaepernick was one of the most dangerous QBs in college football. BYU defeated him in 2010, limiting his signature dual-threat game.
7. Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech)
In a high-scoring 2016 showdown, BYU edged Mahomes’ Red Raiders behind a big second half, despite Mahomes throwing for over 450 yards.
8. Kirk Cousins (Michigan State)
BYU stunned Michigan State in 2016, dominating both sides of the ball and holding Cousins in check in one of their most impressive road wins.
9. Christian Ponder (Florida State)
Ponder was a first-round pick, but BYU got the better of him in a 2009 game that showcased their defense’s ability to pressure elite QBs.
10. Jake Locker (Washington)
Once considered a can’t-miss NFL prospect, Locker was outplayed in Provo in 2010 as BYU controlled the game with tough defense and efficient offense.
These victories reflect BYU’s proud tradition of challenging — and often defeating — top-tier quarterback talent.
