Nov. 6, 2004
PROVO, Utah (AP) - John Beck threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns to lead BYU to its third straight victory, 49-16 over San Diego State on Saturday.
The Cougars (5-4, 4-1 Mountain West) scored 23 points in the third quarter to break open a game after leading 13-3 at halftime.
Curtis Brown ran for 110 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown for BYU, which moved within one victory of a guaranteed winning season and qualifying for a bowl with two games to play. San Diego State (2-7, 0-5) lost its sixth straight.
The third-quarter outburst was similar to BYU's 21-point total in the third quarter against Air Force two weeks ago, which propelled the Cougars to a 41-24 victory.
Brown got the Cougar scoring started in the third on a 3-yard touchdown run after San Diego State was called for holding on third-and-goal the play before. Fahu Tahi added a touchdown run later in the game, followed by a Matt Payne field goal.
Payne added a 43-yard field goal late in the second - his 13th straight from between 40-49 yards, breaking the NCAA record from that distance. Notre Dame's John Carney previously held the record with 12 in a row.
Payne added two more field goals, from 34 and 42 yards out. Payne also had a 59-yard attempt blocked, but he picked up the ball and ran 25 yards for a first down. The play led to the Cougars final touchdown of the game.
San Diego State's Kevin O'Connell had a rough day passing, completing just 21 of 47 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was more effective on the ground, however, rushing for 101 yards on 15 attempts.
The Cougars took an early lead when Beck hit Todd Watkins, who got behind the defense for a 68-yard touchdown pass on BYU's second offensive play of the game. The Aztecs responded with a 47-yard field goal by Garrett Palmer early in the second quarter.