Payne Named MWC Special Teams Player of the Week

PROVO -- BYU punter/kicker Matt Payne was named the Mountain West Conference Special Team Player of the Week after posting four punts for a season-high 58.0 yard average, and connecting on two 47-yard field goals, helping BYU to a 34-10 win over San Diego State.

Payne, who ranks second nationally with a 47.8 yards-per-punt average, pinned the Aztecs deep in their own territory with two punts of 48 yards, a 60-yarder and a career-long 76-yard punt. His 76-yard punt was the fourth longest in BYU history and the second longest in Mountain West Conference history. On the season, the North Ogden, Utah native has 38 punts, including five for touchbacks and nine that have pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line.

As the Cougars' field goal kicker, Payne nailed two 47-yard, first-half field goals, helping BYU to a 20-0 halftime lead. With his 2-for-2 performance against the Aztecs, Payne improved to 8-of-10 on the season. He is a perfect 5-for-5 from 39 yards and in, and is 3-for-5 from 40-49 yards. After missing two attempts against Syracuse in the season-opener, the 6-foot-4, 238-pound sophomore has made 8 straight field goal attempts. His 47-yard field goals against San Diego State were the longest since nailing a season-high 48-yard field goal at Georgia Tech.

Payne is the third BYU player to earn MWC Player-of-the-Week honors this season. Bret Engemann was named the Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Cougars' to a 42-21 victory over Syracuse, throwing for 386 yards on 35-of-54 attempts. Freshman running back Curtis Brown also earned Offensive Player-of-the-Week honors after racking up 217 yards rushing in the Cougars' 35-34 come-from-behind victory at Utah State.