Oct. 6, 2000

Box Score

By TIM KORTE
AP Sports Writer

PROVO, Utah (AP) - Luke Staley ran for three touchdowns, Charlie Peterson threw for 324 yards in his first start and BYU played its best game of the season in a 38-14 victory over Utah State on Friday night. Staley was a factor almost every time the Cougars (3-4) approached the end zone, scoring on runs of 3, 9 and 4 yards to help BYU build a 31-7 lead midway through the third quarter.

Each time Staley rambled for yardage, fans cheered by chanting his name: "Luke, Luke, Luke." He was a big reason the Aggies (1-4) remained winless in Provo since 1978.

Peterson, meanwhile, looked polished on most of his snaps. In just over three quarters, he was 24-of-37 for 324 yards and one touchdown. He started in place of Bret Engemann, lost for the season to a shoulder separation in last week's loss at Syracuse. Engemann had surgery earlier in the week and watched from the sidelines, his right arm in a sling.

Peterson wasn't perfect. He fumbled on a sack late in the first half, giving the Aggies the ball at BYU's 29. Four plays later, Utah State pulled within 10-7 on a 1-yard run by Emmett White with 3:13 before the break. Neither Peterson, nor the Cougars, were so generous again. On the ensuing possession, Peterson used two passes to move BYU from its own 32 to Utah State's 9, where Staley started a sweep to the left, faked linebacker Brent Passey and cut upfield to give BYU a 17-7 lead.

After the Aggies punted, Peterson struck again. He found Jonathan Pittman for a 25-yard gain, Margin Hooks for 23 and Mike Rigell for a 21-yard TD that gave BYU a 24-6 lead with 26 seconds before halftime.

It was a nice recovery by BYU, which has been pounded by Florida State, Air Force, Mississippi State and Syracuse this season. The Aggies, still seeking a steady effort in coach Mick Dennehy's first season, were a perfect remedy.

BYU coach LaVell Edwards, who will retire after this season, continued to torment his alma mater. The former Utah State lineman will end his career with victories in 21 of his last 24 meetings with the Aggies.

The game was played on Friday because of this weekend's semiannual general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which owns and operates BYU.