PROVO -- Behind 464 yards passing and four touchdowns from senior quarterback John Beck and 124 yards rushing from senior running back Curtis Brown, No. 23 BYU pulled away from New Mexico, 42-17, on Saturday to claim its first outright Mountain West Conference championship since the 2001 season.
OUTRIGHT MWC CHAMPS
With BYU's win over New Mexico on Saturday, the Cougars clinch their first outright Mountain West Conference championship since the 2001 season. The conference championship is BYU's 22nd title and third MWC crown.
GREATEST BYU HOME TEAM EVER
With BYU's 42-17 win over New Mexico, the Cougars have now outscored their opponents 283-72 at home this season. BYU has averaged 47.16 points per game at Edwards Stadium while holding its opponents to just 12 per game. The +35.16 margin of victory per game at home is the largest home margin of victory in stadium--and program--history.
VIVA LAS VEGAS
Shortly after BYU was presented with the MWC Championship trophy, Rueben Herrera, a member of the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Executive Bowl Committee, extended the official invitation to the 15th Annual Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl. BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe officially accepted the invitation. BYU will take on an opponent from the Pac-10 on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. in Las Vegas.
UNDEFEATED AT HOME
The Cougars' 42-17 win over New Mexico gave BYU its first undefeated record at home since 2001. Since the stadium was built in 1964, BYU has gone undefeated at home 13 times.
ONE QUARTER AT A TIME
After outscoring New Mexico in three of four quarters on Saturday, BYU has now outscored its opponents in 33 of 44 quarters this season, including 21 shutout quarters. The Cougars have not trailed since the Boston College game, marking 32 consecutive quarters without trailing an opponent. BYU has outscored its opponents in 12 of its past 13 quarters.
RECORDING HISTORY ... IN STYLE
Curtis Brown's date with the BYU record books came early and in style. On Brown's second carry on the Cougars' first drive, he blew straight through the middle for a 49-yard touchdown run to become BYU's career rushing record holder. The 49-yard run was Brown's longest rush since going 64 yards for a touchdown against Utah on Nov. 19, 2005. Brown finished the night with 124 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown run. He also had five receptions for 44 yards with a touchdown reception from quarterback John Beck.
FIRST QUARTER POINTS
With Kenny Byrd's 31-yard field goal with 4:40 remaining in the first quarter, New Mexico became only the second BYU opponent to score in the first quarter this season in Provo. The Cougars did not allow any first-quarter touchdowns at home this season and allowed just six total points.
FIRST-QUARTER DOMINANCE
BYU held a 14-3 first-quarter lead over New Mexico, marking the 11th straight game this season the Cougars have led after the first quarter of play. On the season, BYU has held its opponents scoreless in the opening quarter in seven different games. Overall, the Cougars are outscoring opponents 124-15 in the opening quarter of play, including a 93-6 advantage at home. BYU has allowed just one first-quarter touchdown all season (at Boston College). The Cougars tallied 177 yards against New Mexico in the first half. BYU quarterback John Beck was 6-for-10 for 100 yards and one touchdown in the first quarter.
ONE POINT PER PLAY
With 13:26 remaining in the first half, Beck hooked up with Jonny Harline for a 71-yard touchdown. The touchdown gave BYU a 21-3 lead in its 21st play, giving the Cougars an average of one point per play through their first 21 plays.
LONG TOUCHDOWN PASS
Beck's 71-yard touchdown pass to Harline was the longest touchdown reception for BYU since 2004 when Beck hit Austin Collie for an 82-yard scoring strike against San Diego State on Nov. 6, 2004.
FIRST-HALF DOMINANCE
BYU took a 28-3 halftime lead against New Mexico, making it the sixth game the Cougars have held a 21-point (or larger) advantage at half this season. BYU has enjoyed a 22.7-point advantage (average per game) at home this season and a 19.8-point advantage overall this season. The Cougars gained 419 total yards in the first half while Beck completed 15-for-26 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.
MILESTONES
Both Beck and Brown hit personal milestones in the BYU win. In addition to breaking the career rushing record at BYU, Brown became the first BYU running back in school history to pass the 3,000 career yard mark. He finished the game with 124 yards rushing on 13 carries. Brown has now rushed for 3,056 in his career.
Beck became the second quarterback in school history to throw for 10,000 yards. He finished the game with a season-high 464 yards while completing 28-for-42 passes and four touchdowns. Beck has now thrown for 10,271 in his career. Beck's 464 yards passing are the most in his career in a victory and the second largest output of his career.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
BYU put up a season-high 653 yards of total offense. The 653 total yards are the most from a BYU team since BYU had 683 total yards against Air Force Oct. 29, 2005.
SCORING DEFENSE
BYU has given up just 152 total points this season. The Cougars entered the game ninth in the nation in scoring defense. After giving up 17 points to New Mexico, 10 of which were scored by the offense, BYU is currently giving up 13.8 points per game.