PROVO -- Junior receiver Todd Watkins was credited with a game-high nine receptions for 117 yards against UNLV, marking the third time this season the junior-college transfer has eclipsed the 100-yard mark. Watkins had five receptions for 115 yards in the Cougars' season opening victory over Notre Dame, followed by a 211-yard performance against Boise State.
On the season, Watkins has 37 receptions for 655 yards and three touchdowns. With three 100-yard games this season, Watkins' performance marks the first time a BYU receiver has had three 100-yard games in the same season since Reno Mahe posted three games during the 2001 season.
Beck Sets BYU/MWC Record
John Beck's 67 pass attempts set a BYU and Mountain West Conference record. The previous MWC record was 60 by San Diego State's Adam Hall in 2002. Jim McMahon held the previous BYU record with 65 against Colorado State in 1981.
King of Payne
Senior kicker/punter Matt Payne tallied seven punts against the Rebels, posting an average 45.1 yards per punt on the night. Payne, who is averaging a league-best 46.2 yards per punt on the season, recorded a game-high 63-yarder in the first quarter to pin UNLV on its own 8-yard line. Payne had three punts downed inside the 20-yard line on the night, including two downed inside the 10-yard line. Early in the second quarter, Payne's 39-yard punt landed at the UNLV 9-yardline, pinning the Rebels deep in their own territory. After UNLV was forced to punt from its own 6-yard line--resulting from Payne's previous punt--the Cougars took a 3-0 lead after he connected on a 47-yard field goal.
Payne's 47-yarder marked his 11th straight field goal from between 40-49 yards, dating back to the 2002 season. Payne needs one more field goal from 40-49 yards to tie John Karney's (Notre Dame) 1984-85 record of 12 straight field goals from that distance. With 5:59 remaining in the third quarter, Payne hit on a 50-yard attempt to mark his third consecutive field goal from 50 yards (or longer) on the season.
Payne was credited with eight points on the night, adding to his career total of 283 points. Payne needs just eight points to pass Luke Staley for second place on the BYU all-time scoring list. Payne leads the BYU roster with 40 points on the season, averaging 6.7 points per game.
On the season, Payne has had 15 punts downed inside the 20-yardline, including nine punts that have been downed inside the 10-yard line. Only 15 of Payne's 40 punts (.375) have bee returned for yardage this season. Opponents have averaged just 6.8 yards per return. As a result, Payne and the Cougars lead the nation with a net punting average of 43.0 yards per punt. The Rebels were able to return only two of Payne's seven punts, averaging 6.5 yards per return.
Scoreless Quarters
For the fourth time this season, BYU has held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter. The Cougars also blanked Notre Dame, No. 1 USC, and Colorado State in the opening quarter. The scoreless quarter also marked the third time this season BYU had failed to post any points in the opening quarter of play.
Coat Check
Daniel Coats' 12-yard reception with 11:24 to go in the second quarter was his first catch since the USC game, ending a two-game drought. Coats finished the night with 4 receptions for 46 yards, marking the most receptions since a five-catch afternoon at Wyoming last season. His 46 yards against the Rebels marked the most receiving yards since posted 47 yards last season at San Diego State.
Coughing up the Ball
The Cougars were plagued by turnovers against the Rebels, losing four fumbles and throwing an interception that led to the second UNLV touchdown. In the previous two games, BYU only had one turnover. However, on the season the Cougars the have had four or more turnovers on the season.
Brown Goes for the Big Gainers
With runs of 26 and 41 yards, Curtis Brown had the two longest runs of the season for any BYU player. The previous Cougar long was also by Brown, a 19-yard scramble against Colorado State.
Defense Goes Offensive
Cameron Jensen's 26-yard interception return for a touchdown not only put BYU up 20-14, but was the Cougars' first defensive touchdown since Colby Bockwoldt scored on a 13-yard return off a fumble against San Diego State, October 4, 2003. It was the first interception return for a touchdown since John Burbidge returned an interception 80 yards against New Mexico in 2002.
Eclipsing the Century Mark
Curtis Brown surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark on his seventh carry of the game. It was the first 100-yard game by a BYU player this season and it ended a seven game streak by UNLV of not allowing a player to go over 100 yards.