Reign #246 of 335 · BYU’s 2nd reign
BYU, 1996–1997
322Days held
7Defenses
#82Longest of 335
#69Most defended of 335
How it started
October 19, 1996
Took the belt from Tulsa 55–30 on the road on October 19, 1996.
BYU was No. 18 in the AP poll going into that game, Tulsa was unranked. While holding the belt: ranked in 11 of 11 poll weeks, best No. 5. The belt vs. the polls →
Head coach: LaVell Edwards · 2 reigns started, 336 days with the belt.
Defenses
The belt on the line, 7 times
October 26, 1996 · at TCU 45–21DefendedNovember 2, 1996 · vs. UTEP 40–18DefendedNovember 9, 1996 · vs. Rice 49–0DefendedNovember 16, 1996 · at Hawai'i 45–14DefendedNovember 23, 1996 · at Utah 37–17DefendedDecember 7, 1996 · vs. Wyoming 28–25DefendedJanuary 1, 1997 · vs. Kansas State 19–15Defended
How it ended
September 6, 1997
Lost the belt to Washington 20–42 at home on September 6, 1997, after 322 days.