Collie Named MWC Freshman of the Year

PROVO -- BYU receiver Austin Collie was today named the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year. Collie becomes the first BYU freshman to earn the award since Luke Staley was named the league's top freshman in 1999.

"Before the season started, I set a goal to become the top freshman in the conference," Collie said. "That was something I wanted to accomplish. There were a lot of people who helped me this year, including my brother Zac, the quarterbacks, the o-line and of course, the other receivers. There is a lot of satisfaction in reaching a goal like this, considering all the great players in the league. I have a lot to live up to when I get home from my mission."

Collie, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound true freshman led the nation with a 4.82 receptions-per-game average and ranked third nationally, posting an average 70.1 yards per game. Collie also ranked third nationally among rookie receivers with a BYU freshman record eight touchdowns on the season, scoring at least one TD in seven of the Cougars' 11 games. Five of his eight touchdown receptions went for 40 yards or longer, including a Mountain West Conference freshman record 82-yard touchdown reception in the Cougars' victory over San Diego State. Against the Aztecs, Collie was credited with three receptions for a season-high 95 yards and two touchdowns.

The El Dorado Hills, Calif., native also set freshman school records with 53 receptions for 771 yards on the season. Collie registered 50 or more yards receiving in nine of the Cougars' 11 games on the season. In the final four games of the season, Collie tallied 334 yards, averaging 83.5 yards per game.