BYU was finally able to relax again and watch the final seconds tick off the clock.

The 15th-ranked Cougars overpowered and outmatched the lowly Aztecs, to complete an unprecedented streak at home on senior day.

BYU ended its third-straight season without a defeat at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, defeating San Diego State 41-12 and improving to 9-1 on the year.

"We wanted to come out here today, dominate and have fun and go out on a great note," BYU senior linebacker David Nixon said.

After a loss and back-to-back nailbiters, Nixon and his senior teammates were able to enjoy one last no-doubt-victory in front of the crowd of Cougar faithful.

The College Station, Texas native enjoyed what may have been his strongest game ever in a BYU uniform, recording 14 tackles and a leaping interception. Nixon was making plays from sideline to sideline on Saturday in leading the defense to its strongest overall performance in weeks.

"I think the defense played well and created turnovers that allowed short fields and changed momentum," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said.

"The [seniors] have accomplished a lot to set the foundation of our program," he added. "I think they represented themselves very well today and are going out on a positive note."

BYU running back Fui Vakapuna sweetened his senior day by tacking on the first Cougar score, bullying his way seven yards for the touchdown after the Cougs capitalized on a San Diego State fumble.

The Cougar defense stifled the Aztec offense much of the way, forcing three fumbles and an interception.

"When you're having a tough year, turning the ball over just magnifies it," San Diego State coach Chuck Long said of his 1-9 team.

After a Mitch Payne field goal, quarterback Max Hall found red zone-favorite Andrew George from six yards out in the back of the end zone.

A second Payne field goal gave the Cougars their halftime lead of 20-0.

San Diego State received the opening kickoff of the second half and fumbled, giving BYU back possession at their opponent's 29 yard line.

One more senior found the end zone on that drive, this time running back Wayne Latu from three yards out.

The Aztecs then responded with field goals on consecutive drives to end any hopes of a shutout, bringing the score to 27-6 after three quarters.

Juniors Hall and Austin Collie may have had enough of watching the seniors have all the fun through three quarters and took over in the fourth.

Looking for his eighth consecutive 100-yard receiving game, Collie entered the fourth quarter with only 48 yards on six catches.

Hall looked to his favorite target early in the quarter, connecting on a 61-yard pass to Collie after an all-out blitz by the Aztecs. The junior and nation's leading receiver outraced San Diego State defenders all the way to the end zone.

Collie and Hall hooked up on their next possession to run the score to 41-6, before San Diego State added a touchdown with less than a minute remaining.

Hall finished the day on 25-of-30 passing for 317 yards and three touchdowns, while Collie added nine catches totaling 127 yards and two touchdowns to his season totals.

"I think the reason why we win games is off of execution," Collie said. "We do what we do extremely well and we focus on doing it the right way and that's why we continue to be successful on offense."

BYU continued what it's done all year at home, accomplishing perhaps Mendenhall's number one goal by going undefeated at home.

"I hope they realize the significance of it," the Cougar head coach said. "I wish they could dwell more right now on what they've accomplished."

Instead the Cougars must look ahead to two difficult road games against Air Force and Utah to close out the regular season and any hopes of sharing a conference title.



Copyright Brigham Young University 10 Nov 2008