Postgame notes and quotes from BYU's 42-7 win over New Mexico State on Senior Night.
SENIOR MATTS GET TOUCHDOWNS
Senior tight end Matthew Edwards scored the first touchdown of his career on the first reception of his career off a 9-yard pass late in the third quarter. Senior Matt Marshall also scored the first TD of his career on the first rush of his career – a 2-yard run off a direct snap in the same quarter.
FIRST TIME’S A CHARM
Along with New Mexico State, BYU has played two other opponents (Ole Miss & UCF) for the first time ever this year and has a record of 3-0 against those teams.
JAKE DELIVERS
Sophomore quarterback Jake Heaps threw four touchdowns against the Aggies to tie a career high. Heaps also had four TD throws last season against Colorado State and UTEP. It is the first game Heaps has thrown a touchdown to three different receivers.
DOUBLE TAKE
Freshman Ross Apo scored two touchdowns in the first half giving him the first multi-TD game of his career. Apo leads BYU with seven receiving touchdowns and has caught at least one TD in six games this year.
KICKOFF CODY
With 60 yards on two kickoff returns, Cody Hoffman passed Austin Collie for third on the BYU season kickoff return yardage list and John Betham for third on the BYU season kick return list.
WIN FOR THE SENIORS
BYU has won its last six home season finales, three of which have come against a school from the state of New Mexico.
KEEP ‘EM COMING
BYU has won 28 of its last 29 games at LaVell Edwards Stadium when scoring 24 points or more.
PASSED BY
New Mexico State’s first quarter TD was only the second blue zone passing touchdown allowed by the Cougar defense this season.
SENIOR FUMBLE
Senior linebacker Jameson Frazier’s fumble recovery was the Cougars’ eighth of the season after senior linebacker Jadon Wagner forced the ball loose. Frazier also recovered a fumble against UCF earlier this year while Wagner’s forced fumble was the first of his career. A third senior, Bryan Kariya, scored a touchdown on BYU’s ensuing drive.
HONOR YOUR ELDERS
BYU sophomore linebacker Kyle Van Noy wore jersey #1 in honor of senior linebacker Jordan Pendleton who suffered a career-ending injury against TCU earlier this season. Van Noy totaled six tackles (all solo) with three quarterback hurries and two TFL.
RUNNING OUT THE FLAG
BYU was led out of the tunnel today by junior Braden Brown carrying the team flag and David Foote with the special teams flag. The special teams flag, highlighted by an old school BYU logo adopted by the special teams, is a new addition this season. Former BYU and NFL tight end Doug Jolley (1998-01), a former All-MWC, second round NFL Draft pick by the Oakland Raiders who went on to start in the Super Bowl, carried out the alumni flag.
POSTGAME QUOTES
BYU HEAD COACH BRONCO MENDENHALL
"I think it was the team’s strongest performance collectively. The offense has been very explosive. I thought Jake managed the game well and it was just another strong showing. The team continues to improve."
"I was very proud of how our seniors decided to lead the team in their last home game."
"I give credit to [Matt] Marshall and [Matt] Edwards for being ready to play when their number was called. If you can reward someone like that after so many years of hard work then it’s a pretty cool thing."
"I think that Jordan Pendleton has had a huge influence on our program. He’s been through a lot. There is no one who wants to play more than him and I think he’s been an inspiration to the younger linebackers. It was a selfless act and a great compliment."
"I think we’re improving and I think we have a very good football team and I’m anxious to play whoever is left on our schedule and whoever we can play at the highest level. We continue to gain momentum and play better football."
"I think our defense played absolutely great. We held them to fewer points than Georgia allowed. It’s an explosive offense with good and diligent players."
"Jake delivered the ball where it needed to go a majority of the time. He was poised, confident and made great throws."
SENIOR LINEBACKER JAMESON FRAZIER
"I thought we had a dominate showing today and were able to hold them to only seven points."
"They’ve been averaging about forty points and I think just the preparation we’ve been putting in and our scouting team helped us out a lot."
"It’s a great place to play but I will mostly miss the guys I’ve been playing alongside."
"It’s weird to think that I won’t be back here and that I won’t be playing with my brothers anymore."
SOPHOMORE LINEBACKER KYLE VAN NOY
"Words can’t describe what it meant to put that #1 on just because of what he’s been through here. It was a sign of respect and words cannot express how much respect I have for Jordan [Pendleton]. It was a good feeling putting that number on because it meant a lot for him to still be out there."
"We love to play football; that’s why we play. It’s all to have fun and just another chance to get better and improve ourselves and play together as a unit."
SENIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN TERENCE BROWN
"It was fun playing with Matt and all the guys up front and to see the defense play well. I feel we played a pretty complete game all around. It was a great game and a lot of fun."
“I've been through a lot here, ups and downs, but as I reflect and think about it, the experience that you have here at BYU, being able to play football and how much we learn about life, I would just say to my brother to enjoy it. Take it all in. Enjoy the fans, your coaches and your teammates and have a good time."
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