The one that started it all

It was Oct. 8, 2005. BYU, just 1-3 in Bronco Mendenhall's first season, was in trouble once again. Trailing New Mexico 24-13 in the fourth quarter, the Cougars were about to fall to 1-4 and remain winless against Division I-A foes.
But then it happened.
For the first time under Bronco, the Magic struck.
The night before, BYU had held the first of what is now a tradition on Game day Eve: a team fireside.
Coincidence that the Magic Happened 24 hours later?
Probably not.
The Lobos were all set to add to their 11-point lead as quarterback Cole McKamey scampered inside BYU's 1o-yard line. But the hands of Cougar linebacker Justin Luettgerodt found the ball. The pigskin squirted into the air and rolled around the turf briefly before being smothered by a blue jersey.
BYU ball.
The drive that ensued featured the debut of Manase Tonga (wearing No. 42 back then) and an incredible catch by Matt Allen. It ended with Curtis Brown going up the middle for a TD.
New Mexico 24, BYU 19.
With two minutes to play, the Cougars got the ball back at their own 20-yard line following a UNM punt. A long gain on a Beck-to-Todd Watkins hookup helped set up the game winner. And what a beauty it was. Matt Allen hauled in a pass on the sideline, juked his defender out of his jock strap and raced up the sideline. A two-point conversion followed.
Final score: BYU 27, New Mexico 24.
Remember the scene? Bronco Mendenhall hugging his wife in the tunnel, a moment expressing both relief, joy and gratitude.
From there, the Cougars won five of the next six, earned their first Las Vegas Bowl bid and set the foundation. A foundation that has led to back-to-back 11-win seasons and an offseason in which BYU is ranked in the preseason Top 15 by almost every prognosticator on the planet.
Thanks Bronco. Thanks for following the prompting about the fireside.
Thanks Justin. Thanks for knocking that ball loose.
Thanks Cougars. Thanks for an incredible ride the past few seasons.
Here's to 2008 and the Quest for Perfection. And while we enjoy the journey this fall, let's not forget where it all started: A cool October night in Albuquerque.