Recruits make difference

PROVO — Ever since national letter-of-intent day, way back in February, there's been plenty of talk about BYU's 2004 recruiting class — especially the new crop of wide receivers.

A year ago, the Cougars lacked playmakers at the wideout spot and, as a result, the BYU offense sputtered. Coach Gary Crowton and his staff addressed the huge void by signing a slew of junior college and high school wideouts.

In the season opener Saturday against Notre Dame, several new Cougars lived up to the hype.

Which is exactly what Crowton was hoping for.

Not only did the newcomers make an immediate impression, they also helped BYU claim a 20-17 victory over the Fighting Irish.

Junior college transfer Todd Watkins and freshman Austin Collie started at wide receiver for BYU. Watkins wasted little time bringing Cougar fans to their feet.

On BYU's first series of the game, quarterback John Beck connected with Watkins for an electrifying 50-yard catch. On the next play, the Cougars recorded the game's first score, a 5-yard touchdown run by Fahu Tahi.

In the third quarter, quarterback Matt Berry, playing in place of an injured Beck, hooked up with freshman Collie for a 42-yard touchdown. On the play, Berry floated a deep spiral down the sideline, and Collie made an outstanding fingertip grab and sprinted into the end zone past cornerback Carlos Campbell, lifting BYU to a 20-3 advantage.

Then, with 1:34 remaining in the game and the Cougars clinging to a 20-17 advantage, Watkins all but sealed the win when, on third-and-8 from the BYU 25, he made a spectacular, leaping grab between two Notre Dame defenders. The 37-yard reception gave the Cougars a first down in Irish territory and from there, BYU ran down the clock.

Watkins finished with five catches for 115 yards while Collie wound up with three receptions for 54 yards.

There were other new faces — though not new recruits — who impressed in the opener as well. Not to mention old faces who shined in new places.

Middle linebacker Cameron Jensen, who redshirted last season after a year at Ricks College and a two-year LDS mission, fared well in leading the Cougar defense.

Senior Brady Poppinga looked right at home at his new position, outside linebacker. Poppinga, an All-Mountain West Conference performer at defensive end, was switched to linebacker during fall camp to compensate for the spate of injuries at that position. Poppinga was all over the field making plays, including a fumble recovery early in the second quarter.

Nose tackle Manaia Brown forced a fumble by Notre Dame running back Travis Thomas, and Poppinga gobbled it up near midfield. That led to a 52-yard field goal by Matt Payne.

In the third quarter, on a fourth-down situation, Poppinga recorded a 10-yard sack of Irish quarterback Brady Quinn. That sack set up Berry's long TD pass to Collie.

Freshman Bryce Mahuika was impressive on special teams. Mahuika was part of Crowton's first recruiting class in 2001, but left for a mission out of high school. Playing in his first Division I game, Mahuika had a nifty 14-yard punt in the first half.

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com