BACK IN THE ENDZONE AGAIN
When Curtis Brown scored on a one-yard run against Eastern Illinois on the Cougars' first drive, it was BYU's first touchdown since the season finale in 2004 at Utah when Austin Collie caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from John Beck in the third quarter. BYU lost the game, 52-21.
CURTIS BROWN'S BIG DAY
Curtis Brown finished the day with 110 rushing yards on 18 carries, scoring and one touchdown. It was the first time since BYU played San Diego State that a Cougar player had 100 yards rushing. That day Brown had 106 yards in BYU's 49-16 win. Brown also had four catches for 14 yards against Eastern Illinois.
MOVING AT WILL
After failing to reach the endzone in the season opener against Boston College, the Cougars made sure to get there early on Saturday against Eastern Illinois. BYU received the opening kickoff and scored on a one-yard run by Curtis Brown to cap an 8-play 67-yard drive that took 3:26. The Cougars mixed it up on the drive, running the ball five times and passing three.
17 IN A QUARTER
The last time BYU scored at least 17 points in the first quarter was against Colorado State in 2001 in Provo, when the Cougars defeated the Rams 56-34. BYU scored 21 in the opening frame on a seven-yard run by Brandon Doman and two two-yard runs by Luke Staley. The Cougars scored 17 points in the first quarter against Eastern Illinois.
BECK'S STREAK IS OVER
Tristan Burge of Eastern Illinois intercepted a John Beck pass midway through the second quarter. It was the first interception Beck had thrown since BYU lost to New Mexico, 21-14, Nov. 13, 2004 in Provo. During that stretch, Beck completed 86-of-135 pass attempts (.637).
BIGGEST HALF
With the Cougar offense firing on all cylinders in the first half against Eastern Illinois, BYU racked up 31 points before halftime. It was the most points the Cougars had scored in a half since totaling 36 in the second half against San Diego State, Nov. 6, 2004.
BIGGEST FIRST HALF
Up 31-0 at the half against Eastern Illinois, it was BYU's biggest first half since Oct. 4, 2003 against San Diego State. In that game, the Cougars led the Aztecs 31-24 before the break.
FIRST HALF SHUTOUT
The Cougars led 31-0 at the half against Eastern Illinois. It was the first time BYU shutout its opponent in the first half since leading New Mexico 10-0 before the break in 2003. The Cougars went on to win that game 10-7.
TWO GAMES, TWO TEAMS
Between the first and second games of the season, the Cougars have improved on penalties and backpedaled on turnovers. Against Boston College, BYU had 10 penalties for 85 and zero turnovers. In game two against Eastern Illinois, the Cougars had just 5 penalties for 30 yards but turned the ball over four times on two interceptions and two fumbles.
SLOW START, GOOD FINISH
While BYU fell 20-3 in its season opener to Boston College, historical trends indicate the Cougars should still have a successful season. Since 1974, BYU has opened 12 seasons with a loss. In those 12 seasons, the Cougars had winning records in 11 and were .500 in the other. The last time BYU opened the season with a loss and had a losing record was 1973 when the team finished 5-6. On the other hand, BYU opened with a win from 2002-04 and finished with a losing record. The following is a list of the 12 seasons since 1974 BYU opened with a loss:
SeasonRecord
19747-4-1
19756-5
19769-3
198012-1
198311-1
19879-4
19889-4
19918-3-2
19957-4
19976-5
19989-5
20006-6
Total99-45-5
SETTING RECORDS
Against Boston College, junior quarterback and Davey O'Brien Award candidate, John Beck completed 41 passes on 60 attempts. The 41 completions were a career-high, a LaVell Edwards Stadium record and a Mountain West Conference Record.