Nov 2, 2002
PROVO, Utah (AP) - Matt Berry threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns as BYU rebounded from its worst scoring drought in 31 years to beat San Diego State 34-10 Saturday.
BYU (4-5, 1-3 Mountain West) led the nation in scoring last year but has struggled this season, managing just 22 points in three consecutive losses. Still, they can qualify for a bowl with victories in two of their final three games.
The Cougars gained 403 yards of offense, their highest total since a 35-34 win over Utah State on Oct. 4.
Berry, a freshman making his third start, completed 19-of-31 passes and was intercepted three times. He threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Jason Kukahiko to give BYU a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. That matched the Cougars' total first-quarter points in their previous eight games.
Berry's 4-yard pass to Reno Mahe in the third quarter made it 26-0. He added a 27-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Reid in the fourth quarter.
The Aztecs' J.R. Tolver, who led the nation in receiving yards, left the game in the first quarter after taking a hit from BYU defensive back Aaron Francisco. Tolver returned in the second half but didn't catch a pass until he scored San Diego State's only touchdown on an 8-yard throw from Adam Hall.
BYU defensive end Brady Poppinga sacked Hall three times in the first half as the Cougars disrupted San Diego State's passing game with blitzes. San Diego State's Kassim Osgood made 11 of his 12 catches in the second half. He finished with 138 yards receiving.