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MWC Weekly Awards
Utah's Alex Smith and Morgan Scalley, Wyoming's J.J. Raterink, BYU's Matt Payne Honored
Nov. 8, 2004 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Alex Smith (Utah) and J.J. Raterink (Wyoming), Morgan Scalley (Utah) and Matt Payne (BYU) were named Mountain West Conference Players of the Week. Smith and Raterink share Offensive Players of the Week, Morgan claims Defensive honors, and Payne receives Special Teams recognition. Smith earns the award for the fifth time this season and eighth time in his career. Payne is recognized for the eighth time in his career and fifth time this season. Raterink and Scalley are first time honorees.
MWC Co-Offensive Players of the Week Smith completed 21-of-26 passes (81%) for 291 yards and four touchdowns in less than three quarters of playing time in Utah's 63-31 victory over Colorado State. He also rushed for 55 yards on nine carries
J.J. Raterink, Wyoming, Quarterback, Senior Raterink, who had 27 career-pass attempts coming in to the game, replaced starter Corey Bramlet after the second possession due to injury and completed 22-of-36 passes (61%) for 227 yards and four touchdowns in a 53-45 triple-overtime win at UNLV.
MWC Defensive Player of the Week Scalley returned a fumble 88 yards for a touchdown and recorded two interceptions that were returned for 40 yards in the 63-31 win over Colorado State. Both of his interceptions led to Utah touchdowns. The school record 88-yard fumble return came with Utah leading 7-0 in the first quarter and CSU on Utah's 22-yard line. He also had five tackles (two solo) and a pass breakup against the Rams.
MWC Special Teams Player of the Week Payne was credited with four punts for 187 yards, averaging 46.8 yards per punt, in the 49-16 win against San Diego State. Two of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, while the other two were returned for a combined total of only 12 yards. Payne also made three field goals from 34, 42 and 43 yards. His 42-yard field goal in the second quarter broke John Carney's (Notre Dame) 19-year-old NCAA record of 12 straight field goals from 40-49 yards, set in 1984-85. Paynealso lined up for a career-long 59-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but had the attempt blocked. However, he recovered the blocked field goal and ran for 24 yards, picking up the first down and preserving the Cougars' eventual scoring drive.
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