Y. receivers made impact

PROVO — Talk about immediate impact.

After suffering through a 2003 season with an offense bereft of playmakers, BYU coaches addressed a major need at the wide receiver position during last year's recruiting process.

By the time the 2004 season ended, Austin Collie, a true freshman, and Todd Watkins, a junior college transfer, had lived up to, if not exceeded, expectations. They combined to haul in 105 receptions for 1,813 yards and 14 touchdowns.

"Austin and Todd," said recruiting coordinator Paul Tidwell, "were impact players."

And the rest of the Mountain West Conference took notice. Collie was named the league's freshman of the year while Watkins was BYU's lone all-MWC first-team selection on offense.

Collie and Watkins didn't waste any time in making an impression.

In the season-opening victory over Notre Dame, Watkins caught an electrifying 50-yard catch from quarterback John Beck on the Cougars' first series, setting up a touchdown. In the third quarter, Collie grabbed a 42-yard TD from Matt Berry that gave BYU a 20-3 lead. With 1:34 remaining in the game, and the Cougars clinging to a 20-17 edge, Watkins made a leaping catch between two Fighting Irish defenders on a third-and-eight play, sealing the win.

Both receivers made big plays all season long. Watkins, a product of Grossmont Junior College, finished with 52 catches for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns. Collie, out of Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, Calif., caught 53 passes for 771 yards and eight touchdowns. Collie has left for an LDS mission and isn't scheduled to return until the 2007 season.

His remarkable freshman campaign will also be remembered by the moxie he displayed the week of the BYU-Utah game. He stirred up the rivalry pot by telling the media that New Mexico coach Rocky Long had said that undefeated Utah wasn't as good as touted. Collie added that his team would "put a hurt on" the Utes, who were ranked No. 5 in the country.

While the Cougars fell, 52-21, Collie backed up his talk, catching three passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. On the other hand, he also threw an interception on a trick play.