BYU football: Mike won't let Ike keep him from doing his job

PROVO — BYU receiver Mike Reed had much more than football on his mind Saturday.

Reed's family lives in Baytown, Texas, just 40 miles from Galveston, where Hurricane Ike has been unleashing its fury. As a result, Reed has not been able to talk to his family, which had planned to attend the UCLA game, but could not due to the hurricane.

Of course, Reed couldn't help but think about his family, but he wanted to play well against the Bruins.

"I had to stay focused," he said. "That's part of being a football player; that's part of being a man also."

Reed turned in an outstanding performance in the Cougars' 59-0 romp over UCLA. He caught five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.

"Mike has proven himself to make big plays," said quarterback Max Hall. "You saw it in the Washington game, where he had big catches on third down. You saw it today.

"Mike's family is in Texas right now. He's not sure what's going on with his family. But he came out here and he fought like crazy today. I'm very proud of him. He's a sweet senior receiver for us."

Through three games, Reed has been consistent for the Cougars.

"When it's my turn, when the ball comes my way, I have to make a play," he said. "So far, I've been able to make those plays."

Reed was careful not to allow what was happening with his family to be a distraction for his team.

"Today I didn't want anybody to know," he said. "I didn't want my coaches to know, I didn't want teammates to know. I just had to come out here and play football and help this team go 3-0."

He is hoping for the best for his family.

"I haven't been able to communicate with them much. The circuits are very busy out there. I've tried," he said, adding that Baytown was hit hard by the hurricane. "Last time I heard, they were still in Baytown. I'm going to keep trying to call them. Hopefully everything's is all right. ... My prayers are with the state of Texas and everyone who was affected by Hurricane Ike."

FINAL GAME: Saturday's game marked the last for Jeff Reynolds as BYU's football media relations director. He has taken a job as the new director of communications for the Sutherland Institute. Reynolds was honored before the game in the press box, receiving a photo montage of the winning play of the 2006 BYU-Utah game, signed by John Beck and Jonny Harline.

Reynolds has worked 114 straight BYU games dating back to 1999.