Flashback: Record setting wide receivers

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Cody Hoffman currently holds all of BYU's major career receiving records. (George Frey, Getty Images)


The BYU Cougars had a disappointing season from its wide receivers in 2017. The good news for Cougar fans is that there is a good chance that the receivers will do something spectacular in 2018 in the form of a record setting performance. Going back 45 years, in five-year intervals, BYU football has had a wide receiver break or tie existing school records almost ever interval.

45 Years Ago
In 1973, BYU saw Jay Miller come out of nowhere to have what would stand as the greatest receiving season for many years. Along the way he set four school records and one NCAA record.
  1. Most receptions in a game (NCAA record): 22 vs. New Mexico* (Old: 14, Phil Odle)
  2. Most receiving yards in a game: 263 vs. New Mexico* (Old: 242, Phil Odle)
  3. Most receptions in a season: 100 (Old: 77, Phil Odle)
  4. Most receiving yards in a season: 1,181 (Old: 971, Phil Odle)
35 Years Ago 
In 1983, another unheralded wide out Kirk Pendleton had a break out season. Along the way, he tied John VanderWouden's school record for most touchdown receptions in a single game with four against New Mexico.
  • 39-yard touchdown (First Quarter)
  • 16-yard touchdown (First Quarter)
  • 11-yard touchdown (Third Quarter)
  • 8-yard touchdown (Third Quarter)
30 Years Ago 
In 1988, Chuck Cutler became the Cougars' number one receiver and had 1,039 yards receiving, which was second most in school history. To get to that total, he had five 100-yard receiving games. That tied Phil Odle's record for most in a season.
  1. 116 yards vs. Texas (5 receptions, 2 TDs)
  2. 113 yards vs. UTEP (7 receptions, 1 TD)
  3. 133 yards vs. Hawaii (5 receptions, 1 TD)
  4. 142 yards vs. New Mexico (10 receptions, 2 TD)
  5. 132 yards vs. Utah (6 receptions)
25 Years Ago 
In 1993, Eric Drage was already a known commodity, which is why he was able to break four of the school's career receiving records and one season record.
  • Most yards receiving in a career: 3,065 (Old: 2,635, Matt Bellini)
  • Most touchdown receptions in a career: 29 (Old: 25, Phil Odle)
  • Most 100-yard receiving games in a career: 12 (Old: 11, Chris Smith)
  • Most 200-yard receiving games in a career: 3* (Old: 2, Phil Odle)
  • Most 200-yard receiving games in a season: 2* (213 vs. Air Force, 232 vs. Fresno State)   
There was another player who set an unofficial record in 1993. That same record was tied 20 years ago in 1998. To find out that record, and who those players are, come back tomorrow for Blue Cougar Football's weekly trivia (BYU Football: Did you know?).

10 Years Ago 
In 2008, Austin Collie assaulted the BYU record books. He broke or tied eight records (four season, four career).
Season
1. Most receptions: 106* (Old: 100, Jay Miller)
2. Most receiving yards: 1,538* (Old: 1,241, Andy Boyce)
3. Most touchdown receptions (tie): 15* (Clay Brown, 1980)
4. Most 100-yard receiving games (tie NCAA record): 11* (Old: 7, Margin Hooks)

Career
1. Most receptions: 215 (Old: 204, Matt Bellini)
2. Most receiving yards: 3,255 (Old: 3,065, Eric Drage)
3. Most touchdown receptions: 30 (Old: 29, Eric Drage)
4. Most 100-yard receiving games: 17 (Old: 12, Eric Drage)
5 Years Ago
In 2013, Cody Hoffman completed his illustrious career and cemented his place in Cougar lore by breaking all of Collie's career receiving records.
  • Most receptions in a career: 260* 
  • Most receiving yards in a career: 3,612*
  • Most touchdown receptions in a career: 33*
  • Most 100-yard receiving games: 18*

* = Current BYU record

The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com

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