Remington Peck's senior-day TD pass highlights winding career


5 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

PROVO — Don't be surprised if there's a quarterback controversy in the final week of BYU's regular season.

Tanner Mangum is already looking over his shoulder — but not at backups Beau Hoge or Koy Detmer Jr.

He's glancing at tight end Remington Peck, the former defensive lineman whose 15-yard touchdown toss to Terenn Houk on the first play of the fourth quarter was the talk of the Cougar locker room following a 52-10 win over Fresno State.

"That was a beautiful throw — on the money. There are no guarantees for next week who's the starter," Mangum joked, before seriously complimenting the former Bingham High standout. "He does it all on his own. He's been practicing all week, and I didn't have to help him at all. He's a natural athlete, coming from the defensive side. He's a natural tight end, and now he's a natural quarterback, too."

When offensive coordinator Robert Anae gave Houk and Peck the chance to draw up a trick play on the seniors' last game at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the duo couldn't believe it.

Anae? A trick play? Really?

But he made a promise — and he kept it.

"I didn't think it was going to work," said Peck, who also caught one ball for 6 yards. "But Terenn got open, and luckily I made an OK pass and it worked. It was fun."

BYU wide receiver Terenn Houk (11) celebrate his score against Fresno in Provo Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. BYU won 52-10. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
BYU wide receiver Terenn Houk (11) celebrate his score against Fresno in Provo Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. BYU won 52-10. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall offered a sly grin when he mentioned Peck's touchdown toss, calling it "a perfect, tight spiral." But the former defensive lineman who starred at tight end for the Miners and hasn't played quarterback since Little League didn't think it was the best throw.

"I thought I overthrew (Houk)," Peck said. "I hoped he would get there. But he's a big guy, and I figured it would work out."

His target was equally nervous, and not just for the hyped celebration that nearly got him in trouble with an official for the second time this season. Houk had a team-high five catches for 44 yards to go along with the touchdown.

"I've never been nervous before, but on that play, I was like 'please, don't drop it,'" Houk said of the play they called 'Dallas.' "I thought Tanner was back there throwing the ball; it was a dime."

The play capped a four-year career for Saturday's seniors, which may include quarterback Taysom Hill. The senior walked through the pregame ceremonies to receive his senior blanket, no sign of crutches or a scooter but wearing a walking boot after suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury in the season opener at Nebraska. No decision has been reached about the Pocatello, Idaho, native's future, but he and Mendenhall will have conversations following the season.

But for fellow senior Bronson Kaufusi, the day capped an emotional time after the Cougars finished undefeated at home for the first time since 2008.

"Time flies, and you never think it's going to be you walking off the field for the last time," said Kaufusi, who had a team-high five tackles, four of them for a loss and three sacks. "It hasn't even hit me yet, but it's a feeling of gratitude for everything I've been blessed with and given from the coaching staff, from friends and from family. But I'm excited to play some more."

The Cougars will play at Utah State to finish the regular season next Saturday at 1 p.m. at Maverik Stadium. From there, they will wait for an invitation to either the Las Vegas Bowl or Hawaii Bowl.

Related

The seniors still have one goal to accomplish for one of their own in the last two games of the season: get wide receiver Devon Blackmon a touchdown. The senior from Fontana, California, is among the team leaders with 537 yards on 42 catches, but he still doesn't have a touchdown catch — despite multiple chants for his number to be called more from the crowd of 57,515 at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday.

But it'll happen, Mangum said.

"Everyone loves him. He's a crowd pleaser and a fan favorite," the freshman quarterback said of his senior target. "And he's had an amazing year, helping our team with big plays. He'll get one. We'll make sure he gets a touchdown."

Still, for one more afternoon in Provo, it was time to soak it up for a senior class that has given everything to BYU football.

Peck, the tight end-turned-defensive-lineman-turned-tight-end-turned-quarterback, was the epitome of the group's four-year journey as he worked his way through myriad positions and formations.

But he wouldn't have it any other way.

"It's been a roller-coaster ride," Peck said. "I never know what I'm going to do; next week, they may put me back on defense. Who knows? I'm just grateful to help the team. Wherever they need me, I'm glad to help."

Contributing: Dave Noriega

Photos

Related stories

Most recent Sports stories

Related topics

SportsBYU Cougars
Sean Walker

    ARE YOU GAME?

    From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.com’s top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast