PROVO -- With Saturday's 41-24 victory over Air Force, the Cougars improve to 4-4 on the season and 3-1 in Mountain West Conference action. With the win, the Cougars need two more victories to become bowl eligible. The win also gave BYU sole possession of second place in the MWC.
A Win at Falcon Stadium
Saturday's 41-24 win over Air Force marked the first BYU win at Falcon Stadium since Sept. 10, 1994. Interestingly, prior to today's game, the Cougars have only played three games in Colorado Springs since the 1994 season, posting an 0-3 record. Prior to today's game, the Cougars had a three-game losing streak to the Falcons at Falcon Stadium. With today's win, the Cougars now own a 9-3 record against Air Force in Colorado Springs.
Scoring Output
The Cougars posted 41 points against Air Force, marking the most points the team has scored this season. It is also the most points the Cougars have tallied since posting 44 points against San Diego State on Oct. 4, 2003. Today's scoring total also marks the most points the Cougars have scored against Air Force since recording 63 on Oct. 20, 2001. Holding Air Force scoreless in the third quarter, the Cougars managed to outscore the Falcons 38-14 in the second half.
Second-half Production
After the first half of play, the BYU offense totaled just 161 yards of total offense, including 78 yards rushing and 83 yards passing. In the second half, the Cougars exploded with 366 yards of total offense, including 95 yards rushing and 271 yards passing. BYU finished the day with 527 yards of total offense. The offensive explosion also led to 38 second-half points. (Entering the half, BYU had only three points.) Defensively, the Cougars gave up 212 first-half yards, but held the Falcons to just 151 total yards in the second half.
Another Opening Quarter Shutout
The BYU defense held Air Force scoreless in the first quarter, marking the fifth time this season the Cougars have posted an opening quarter shutout. On the season, BYU has posted a total of eight shutout quarters, including the third quarter in Saturday's. BYU also became only the second opponent this season to prevent Air Force from scoring on its opening drive. Prior to today's game, the Falcons had scored on their opening drive in five-of-six games.
Overcoming a Halftime Deficit
Today's game marked the fourth time this season BYU has trailed at the half. Entering today's contest, the Cougars were 0-3 when trailing at the half. BYU trailed at Stanford, 10-17, at the half, USC, 3-21, and at Boise State, 13-16, at the break. Today's game marks the first time this season the Cougars have overcome a halftime deficit to post a victory.
Back-to-Back Victories
Today's victory marks the first back-to-back win for the Cougars since the 2002 season. BYU defeated San Diego State on Nov. 2, followed by a win over Wyoming on Nov. 9. The win ends a streak of 21 straight games without a back-to-back victory.
Payne Moving in on Scoring Record
BYU kicker Matt Payne gave the Cougars a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter on a 23-yard field goal. With 11:09 left in the fourth quarter, Payne equaled his career best with a 53-yarded to give BYU a 34-17 lead. Payne added five PAT's to post 11 points on the day. On the season, Payne has 294 career points, passing Luke Staley for second place on the BYU all-time scoring list.
BYU Record: Payne Extends Consecutive PAT Streak
After connecting on a season-high five PAT's against Air Force, Payne has now hit on a school-record 64 consecutive point-after attempts. Payne's streak dates back to 2002.
Good Grief, Curtis Brown
On the Cougars' first drive of the game, sophomore running back Curtis Brown helped lead BYU on a 64-yard scoring drive. Brown carried the ball five times for 38 yards, averaging 7.6 yards per carry during the opening drive. In the series, Brown had a 25-yard carry to give BYU a first-and-10 from the Air Force 29-yard line. Early in the third quarter, Brown eclipsed the 100-yard barrier for the third straight game. Brown finished the game with a game-high 22 carries for 128 yards.
Beck Passes for Career High Four TD's
Sophomore quarterback John Beck completed 20 passes for 319 yards, marking the third 300-yard game of the season. Beck also connected on a career-high four touchdown receptions, leading BYU to a 41-24 victory over the Falcons.
Oh Behave, Austin
During the Cougars' first drive of the game, freshman Austin Collie was credited with a 26-yard, finger-tip reception, giving BYU a first-and-goal from the Air Force 2-yard line. The Cougars scored four plays later--a Matt Payne 23-yard field goal. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Collie made a stellar reception in the endzone to give the Cougars a 31-10 lead over the Falcons. The play capped an 8-play, 80-yard drive. Collie's touchdown marked a team leading fifth TD reception on the season for the true freshman. Collie finished the afternoon with 6 receptions for 82 yards.
Watkins, Going Deep
On the second play of the second half, BYU quarterback John Beck connected with Todd Watkins for a 70-yard touchdown reception, spurring a second-half scoring spree for the Cougars. The play marked Watkins' fourth touchdown of the season and his third TD of 69-yards or greater. Following the play, Watkins had four receptions for 101 yards, marking his fourth 100-yard game of the season. With 1:49 remaining in the third quarter, Beck and Watkins hooked up for a 45-yard completion, giving Watkins five receptions for 146 yards. Watkins finished the game with a game-high six receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown.
Pitta Has Career Game
Freshman Dennis Pitta grabbed an 11-yard touchdown pass from John Beck with 6:29 remaining in the third quarter, marking the first touchdown reception by a BYU tight end this season. The play also marked Pitta's first career touchdown. With the touchdown reception, Pitta became only the third different BYU receiver to record a touchdown reception this season, joining Todd Watkins (4) and Austin Collie (5). Pitta was also credited with a blocked punt that lead to an 8-yard return for a touchdown. With 2:59 remaining in the game, Pitta posted a one-yard reception from Beck to give the Cougars a 41-24 lead.
Paper of Plastic
The BYU defense recorded three sacks for 20 yards against the Falcons. Entering the game, Air Force had allowed an average 1.8 sacks per game.
Oh, How Lovely
BYU linebacker Gary Lovely picked up a blocked Air Force punt and returned it 8 yards to give BYU a 24-10 lead with 4:26 remaining in the third quarter. The play marked Lovely's first career touchdown and the first time BYU has scored on a blocked punt since the 1992 season (Travis Hall vs. Utah.) Dennis Pitta, who scored two touchdowns in the game, was credited with the blocked punt.