PROVO — After gaining 106 yards on 17 carries during BYU's 49-16 triumph over San Diego State Saturday, running back Curtis Brown became the first Cougar to record four consecutive 100-yard games since Luke Staley accomplished that feat, in seven straight games, in 2001.
As usual, the modest Brown credited his teammates.
"I think our offensive line is really coming together," he said. "We've really gelled together since conference has started. A 100-yard game for me is just as important to them as it is to me. I love seeing the smile on their faces when we're successful running and passing the ball. So when I run that ball, all I think about is our offensive line, who have put a lot of long, hard hours to make me a better player."
Brown, who has 129 carries for 691 yards this season, is averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
BEING HEARD: BYU coach Gary Crowton praised the fans, particularly the students, for their role in the Cougar victory.
"The student-fans were very loud and they got after it," Crowton said. "The players could hear them and it got them excited. I want to thank those students for their participation in helping us winning this football game. It was something that was evident to our players."
Said Brown: "It's good to have the fan support. I encourage all of the fans out there to stay positive. We hear your boos, we hear your cheers. We're excited to have everybody out at the game."
SHUTTING DOWN WEBB: A year ago, BYU's defense gave up 253 yards and three touchdowns to Aztec receiver Jeff Webb. This time, the Cougars held Webb in check as he caught three passes for 47 yards.
"We were really worried about what Webb did to us last year," said Cougar linebacker Cameron Jensen. "I watched that film a lot. We were playing two over the top all of the time, and they saw that so they didn't throw to him that much. They tried to do the draw and run on us. We just weren't going to give up the big play to Webb, because that's what killed us last year."
STILL PERFECT: Crowton probably wouldn't mind playing San Diego State every week.
In his four seasons at BYU, the Cougars are 4-0 against the Aztecs. BYU rolled up a season-high 49 points Saturday. Its previous high was 44 last season at SDSU.
NOTES: Announced attendance was 53,435 . . . Quarterback John Beck needs 33 yards to reach 3,000 for his career . . . Beck's 204.8 pass efficiency rating — the first time a BYU quarterback has recorded a pass efficiency rating over 200 since Brandon Doman accomplished the feat in 2001 against California . . . Matt Payne's streak of 67 consecutive PATs was snapped Saturday when his third-quarter attempt was blocked . . . Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart and Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson were in attendance Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com