22 SENIORS RECOGNIZED
Playing their last game in LaVell Edwards Stadium, 22 seniors were recognized at the start of today’s game, a group that included members of the 2003 recruiting class, walk-ons and junior college transfers. This group of veterans have played an integral part of BYU’s three undefeated seasons at home.
THANK YOU SENIORS!
BYU’s seniors had a strong showing this afternoon, playing in their last home game in LaVell Edwards Stadium. Linebacker and team captain David Nixon led the defense with a career-high 14 tackles. Running back Fui Vakapuna recorded the first touchdown of the game on a seven-yard run. BYU’s first score of the second half came on a three-yard run by Wayne Latu, and wide receiver Michael Reed finished the game with a season-high 95-yards receiving.
EDWARDS’ STADIUM STREAK NOW SPANS THREE SEASONS—SETS BYU RECORD
With BYU’s 41-12 win over SDSU, the Cougars have not lost in Edwards Stadium since a 41-34 overtime thriller to Utah on November 19, 2005. BYU has won 18 straight home games, dating back to September 9, 2006—setting a new BYU record. Over that span, the Cougars have beaten their opponents by an average of 27.8 points per game and have allowed just 11.3 points per game. The Cougars won 17 consecutive home games 16 seasons ago from Oct. 7, 1989 to Nov. 23, 1991.
THIRD CONSECUTIVE UNDEFEATED SEASON AT HOME
For the first time in BYU football history, the Cougars remain undefeated at home—for the third consecutive season. There have been four instances dating back to 1932 when BYU has had back-to-back undefeated home seasons, but have always come short of a third. This is the 21st season overall BYU has remained unbeaten at home.
“FAN”TASTIC FANS
The 64,107 fans in attendance for the Cougars’ 42-19 win over SDSU marked the 12th consecutive sell-out at Edwards Stadium. The current streak marks the longest streak of consecutive sellouts since the 1990-92 seasons. Over 380,000 (384,613) fans have attended the Cougars’ six home games at Edwards Stadium this season, averaging 64,102 fans per game. The last time the stadium was not sold out was against New Mexico on Nov. 18, 2006 when 63,814 fans were in attendance—231 short of a sellout.
FLAG BEARER
BYU has a tradition of selecting a player before each game to run the team flag onto the field. In 2008, the team implemented a new tradition—an alumni flag. The team selects a former Cougar to carry out the alumni flag, along with the chosen current player who runs out with the current team flag. Both flags are white with a blue “Y” logo. The team flag is signed by current players, while the alumni flag is signed by former BYU players. Their signatures refle their commitment to uphold the tradition, spirit and honor of the BYU football program and to be a flag bearer of the University. Carrying the team flag today was junior defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen, with former Cougar Phil Nauahi carrying the alumni flag. Nauahi played on the BYU offensive line from 1987-88
COIN TOSS
For the fifth time this season, BYU lost the opening coin toss, with CSU electing to defer to the second half. BYU is now 4-1 when losing the opening toss.
COMPETING AS A RANKED TEAM
After today’s win over SDSU, the Cougars are 147-42 when nationally ranked in the Top 25. With the win, a ranked BYU team has won 16 of its last 17 games, dating back to 2006.
50-YARD CATCHES BOOKEND REED’S CAREER
Playing in the final home game of his BYU career, senior wide receiver Michael Reed caught a career-long 56-yard pass from quarterback Max Hall late in the second quarter, setting up a six-yard touchdown reception by tight end Andrew George on the following play. Reed’s previous career-long reception was during his freshman season in 2005 when he caught a 50-yard pass from John Beck in the Air Force game. That catch contributed to Reed’s first 100-yard receiving game this season with 103 yards. His other 100-yard game came in 2007 when he racked up a career-high 132 yards in BYU’s 55-47 loss to Tulsa.
SCORING HALL PASSES
Quarterback Max Hall recorded three touchdown passes against SDSU today. The junior has thrown a scoring pass in every game this season except for the Cougars’ loss to TCU earlier in October. Hall has now thrown a touchdown pass in 21-of-23 career games. On the season, Hall has thrown 32 touchdown passes to seven different members of the BYU team. He has thrown at least three touchdown passes in six of 10 games to this point in 2008.
COLLIE HITS CENTURY MARK-EXTENDS MWC RECORD
Junior Austin Collie broke the 100-yard receiving mark for the eighth straight game with 127 yards on nine catches against the Aztecs. Collie’s eight-consecutive games extend a MWC record he broke two weeks ago against UNLV. The record was previously held by SDSU’s J.R. Tolver (2002) with five.
CLIMBING UP THE BYU RECORD CHARTS
With his 127 yards receiving against SDSU, Austin Collie now has 2,902 career-receiving yards, surpassing Margin Hooks as No. 2 on BYU’s all-time receiving list. The junior needs only 165 more yards to pass Eric Drage (3,066 yards) and claim the No. 1 spot.
On the season, Collie now has 1,185 yards receiving, moving him into third place on BYU’s all-time record list. Behind both Reno Mahe and Andy Boyce, Collie needs only 57 more yards over the remainder of the season to become BYU’s single-season leading receiver.
The junior now has 14 career 100-yard receiving games—a new BYU record—surpassing the current lead of Eric Drage with 12. He now holds the MWC record, one game ahead of the past leader, SDSU’s J.R. Tolver.
Counting his two touchdowns today, Collie now has 28 career touchdowns, tying Matt Bellini as No. 9 on BYU’s career touchdown list. Collie’s 28 touchdowns put him only one behind the MWC leader, Jovon Bouknight of Wyoming (29). He has hauled in at least one touchdown pass in seven games this season.
FUMBLE RECOVERIES
Both Brett Denney and Spencer Hadley recovered fumbles this afternoon, giving the Cougars their 15th and 16th fumble recoveries on the season. Denney, a junior defensive lineman, recovered a botched snap on SDSU’s first offensive play of the game, putting the BYU offense back on the field after being held to a quick third-and-out on its opening possession. While on special teams, Hadley recovered a fumble on SDSU’s kickoff return to open the second half. Both recoveries resulted in touchdowns for BYU.
TAKE YOUR PICK
Senior linebacker David Nixon’s interception with 3:42 remaining in the second quarter marked the third of the season and his career. The Cougars have recorded eight interceptions in their 10 games this season.
TURNOVERS TRANSLATING TO POINTS
In the first 10 games this season BYU has forced 25 turnovers, converting 17 of those into points. Of those 17 turnovers, 14 have resulted in touchdowns (98 points) for the Cougars. The Cougars successfully converted all four of SDSU’s turnovers into points today (24 points).
CONSECUTIVE STARTS
The SDSU game marked senior offensive lineman Dallas Reynolds’ 48th straight career start. During that streak, Reynolds has started at every position on the offensive line, including tackle, guard and center. Reynolds’ younger brother Matt started at left tackle in the 2008 season opener. His father, Lance, is the associate head coach for the Cougars. Reynolds is currently tied at second for the most consecutive starts by an active Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) player. Reynolds has started in every game of his BYU career, beginning with the Cougars’ 20-3 loss to Boston College on Sep. 3, 2005.
HE WHO SCORES FIRST...
Senior Fui Vakapuna’s seven-yard touchdown run with 9:42 remaining in the first quarter gave BYU the early 7-0 lead. BYU has scored first in seven games this season, marking the 29th time in the last 35 games. The Cougars are 27-2 in those 29 games.
SHUTOUT FIRST HALF
The Cougar defense held SDSU scoreless in the first half, marking the third time it has done so this season. Overall, BYU has held its opponent to 19 scoreless quarters in 10 games.