impact on the game and sometimes season.

In no particular order.

No defensive plays list about BYU can be made without Kyle Morrell’s jump over the line to stop Hawaii at the goal line to save the perfect 1984 season.


Utah is known for getting pick sixes against BYU but this 2001 Jenaro Gilford pick may be the most important interception in the Holy War.


The 1997 Cotton Bowl was a defensive battle so it is only appropriate that the game ended on an Omar Morgan interception of KSU QB Brian Kavanagh. (An honorable mention from this game would be Shay Muirbrook’s safety)


One of many great Kyle Van Noy plays that could be on this list. This is from a 2011 game against the SEC team Ole Miss, Kyle Van Noy gives BYU a late lead with a forced fumble, which he recovered for the touchdown.


While we're on the subject of Kyle Van Noy, quite possibly the greatest individual defensive performance in BYU History the 2012 Poinsettia Bowl provided many plays from Van Noy that could be nominated for this list (interception, blocked punt) but the best was his strip sack fumble recovery of Adam Dingwell that changed the game.


A play that will live in infamy for Washington fans. Jan Jorgensen’s 2008 block of the extra point after Jake Locker was assessed an excessive celebration penalty on the potential game tying touchdown.


Add another blocked field goal for the win to this list, this time was in the 2007 Las Vegas bowl Eathyn Manumaleuna blocked a chip shot field goal attempt by Kai Forbath as time expired to preserve the win.


One of the best wins in the independence era was secured in 2019 with Dayan Ghanwoloku’s overtime interception of USC quarterback Kedon Slovis after the tip by Kavika Fonua.


The turning point of the 2006 season seemed to come with a defensive play by linebacker David Nixon with a sack and forced fumble on TCU’s QB Jeff Ballard. BYU went on to win the game handily and complete their best season since 2001.


While the 1990 upset is mostly remembered for Ty Detmer’s kick off to his Heisman campaign the game was won by a great defensive performance. The chosen play is an interception in the endzone by Earvin Lee of a Craig Erickson pass. One of two great defensive plays he made to help seal the win, the other being a pass breakup at the end of the game on 4th down.


In 2015 coming off the Nebraska hail mary Tanner Mangum does it again this time to Mitchell Juergens on 4th down to take a late lead. Kai Nacua sealed the win with a pick six of Boise QB Ryan Finley


The Miracle Bowl is remembered for the Hail Mary from Jim McMahon to Clay Brown but that play would not have happened without the blocked punt by Bill Schoepflin with 13 seconds left.