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PROVO, Utah (Sept. 26, 2005) -- BYU quarterback John Beck has been named the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week, sharing the honor with TCU's Cory Rogers.
"The leadership of our quarterback and the resolve of the offense was exceptional," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said after Saturday's game. "John was poised throughout the game and he gained confidence. I was proud to be his coach today."
Beck posted a MWC record 517 yards passing in the Cougars' 51-50 loss to TCU, becoming only the third player in Mountain West history to throw for over 500 yards in a game. It was the first time a BYU quarterback threw for over 500 yards in a game since Kevin Feterik totaled 501 yards against Washington on Sept. 9, 1999. The overtime contest marked the highest scoring game of the season between two Division I-A opponents.
Beck, a native of Mesa, Ariz., completed 30-of-51 (.588) attempts and tied the league record with five touchdown completions against the Horned Frogs.
On the Cougars' first drive of the game, Beck found Zac Collie on a seven-yard touchdown reception to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead. On the very next drive, Beck connected with Todd Watkins on a 39-yard touchdown strike to give the Cougars a 14-0 lead.
Later in the first quarter, Beck again hooked up with Collie on a 37-yard reception to give BYU a 21-10 lead with 5:03 remaining in the first quarter.
At the 10:14 mark of the third quarter, Beck again found Watkins in stride for a 67-yard touchdown, marking the Cougars' longest touchdown of the season. The touchdown gave BYU what appeared to be a commanding 34-16 lead.
Trailing 41-44 with 1:25 remaining in regulation, Beck drove the Cougars 59 yards to set up a 39-yard, Jared McLaughlin field goal to tie the game as the clock expired.
On the first play of the overtime period, Beck went to the corner of the endzone to find Watkins for the 25-yard touchdown, giving BYU a 50-44 lead in overtime. All three touchdown passes to Watkins were on the first play of their respective drives.
After throwing for 517 yards against TCU, Beck has compiled six career 300-yard games. He needs just 644 yards to move into fifth place on the MWC career passing list. Beck has racked up 28 career touchdown completions and needs just seven more to move into fifth place on the MWC career touchdown completions list.
Beck currently ranks third nationally in passing yards per game (367.3) and is 10th in total passing yards (1,102). He leads the MWC in both categories. Beck also leads the conference and is fourth nationally in total offense, averaging 357.0 yards per game.
Beck started the season with a 330-yard performance against nationally ranked Boston College, and followed it with a 255-yard, three touchdown outing against Eastern Illinois.
The Cougars will travel to San Diego State on Saturday, Oct. 1. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. (PT).
Written by BYU Athletic Communications
