SAN DIEGO -- On the first play from scrimmage Brigham Young quarterback Ty Detmer completed a simple out pattern to receiver Jeff Frandsen. Frandsen shook Hernon Henderson's tackle and stretched what should have been an eight-yard completion for 26 yards.

On the second play Detmer completed another pass, good for 12 yards, and in two plays the Cougars were on Penn State's 45-yard line.

On the third play Detmer, behind good protection, hit a wide-open Brent Nyberg over the middle for an apparent touchdown.

Penn State's sideline was silent as it contemplated what had happened: three plays, 83 yards, seven points. The nation's fourth-best scoring defense had been shredded by a sophomore quarterback and BYU led the Sea World Holiday Bowl, 7-0.

A penalty brought the touchdown back and BYU (10-3) failed to convert on a 4th-and-12 later in the drive, but the Lions (8-3-1) knew it would be a long night as Detmer conducted a passing clinic.

"He's not a very big quarterback, but he played big today," safety Sherrod Rainge said. "He really has a good knowledge of the game of football and he's extremely talented."

Detmer (6'0", 170) was "big" enough to complete 42-of-59 passes for 576 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. His 576 yards were the most given up by a Penn State defense; the previous record was 520 yards by Doug Flutie in 1984.

"I don't measure good and bad games by yards," Cougar coach LaVell Edwards said. "I think execution and winning the ball game, the quarterback has to be the guy who has to help you win. Because of the fact we lost tonight, it may not be his best game."

But it certainly was high on the list. The 576 yards were a career high and set a Holiday Bowl record. He also broke bowl marks in pass attempts and completions.

During the season Detmer passed for 323 yards in his worst effort and finished the season with 4,560 yards and 32 TDs. He also finished ninth in the Heisman voting and has to be one of the leading candidates entering next season.

"He's just a great quarterback," hero Gary Brown said. "He'll be a leading Heisman candidate next year, he's that good. He's in the class with Major Harris and Tony Rice because he's mobile and he can throw the ball."

Detmer, one of the few non-Mormons playing for BYU, knows he could be considered for the Heisman next season, but tries to keep things in perspective.

"I've thought about it, but a lot of things have to go my way," he said. (Andre) Ware will be back and we all know he's going to throw the ball about 100 times more than I will.

"But we have nine starters back on offense and if we come together like we did this season and get better, I might have a chance."

Perhaps that's the scariest thought. Detmer and the BYU offense may continue to improve.

"Oh, he'll get better," Edwards stated matter of factly. "I've never had a sophomore that's done anywhere near what he's done. He just needs to continue to work on his technique.

"He's just one of those rare breeds," the coach continued. "I'm glad he has two more years. Hopefully, we can get a little better - - which I think we will. He's going to extend my coaching career probably for a couple of years."

For Penn State those two years also mean another meeting with BYU and Detmer. The two schools play the first of a two-year, home-and- home series in 1991 at Beaver Stadium.

"We lose Thomas and we've got to play (Detmer) again," Paterno joked after the game.

"Yeah, Detmer should be pretty good by then," Edwards replied, a broad smile crossing his face.