Post-game Notes

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Cougar Pickoffs

Matt Leinart's first quarter interception was his first in 111 pass attempts. The interception by John Burbidge also marked the first interception by BYU in 2004.

Scoreless Firsts

The last time BYU was held scoreless in the first quarter dates back to the 2003 season finale against the University of Utah. USC also failed to score in the first quarter, which was the first time since November 30, 2002 against Notre Dame.

First Out of the Gate

The Cougars have scored first in all three games this season. Fahu Tahi scored a touchdown in the first quarter against Notre Dame and Stanford and Matt Payne connected on a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter against USC.

Points Off Turnovers

Matt Leinart's touchdown pass to Dwayne Jarrett in the second quarter came off a BYU fumble. The Cougars have now given up 37 points off turnovers in three games, seven against Notre Dame, 23 against Stanford, and seven against USC.

Longest Pass

Watkin's 69-yard pass reception from John Beck was BYU's longest passing play since Jonathan Pittman 70-yarder against Virginia in 2000. It was also the Cougar's longest scoring pass since 2002 when Brett Engemann found David Christensen for a 50-yard touchdown against Syracuse.

First Career Touchdown

BYU's first play of the third quarter, Todd Watkins caught a 69-yard touchdown pass from John Beck. It was Watkin's first touchdown as a Cougar.

What a Payne

Matt Payne blasted a 79-yard punt in the third quarter against USC. He was one yard short of Lee Johnson's school record, an 80-yard punt against Wyoming in 1983. Payne's previous long was against San Diego State in 2002, a 76-yarder.

100-yard Rusher

USC's Reggie Bush ran for 124 yards on 14 carries. It was the first time BYU allowed an opponent to gain over 100 yards on the ground since Notre Dame's Julius Jones ran for 170 in 2003.

Two 100-yard Rushers

With USC putting two rushers, LenDale White and Reggie Bush, over the century mark, it was the first time since BYU allowed two players on the same team to gain over 100-yards since the Colorado State game in 2001. The last time USC had two 100-yard rushers was in 1996 versus Oregon State.