BYU Football Top 100: No. 67 – More yards than Luke Staley
By Adam Gibby
No. 67 Curtis Brown- Running back – 2002-2006
When talking about great running backs the names that are always brought up are Jamal Willis, Luke Staley, Jamaal Williams, and Harvey Unga. Curtis Brown is never brought up in the conversation, and part of that may be because he was not quite as good as Harvey Unga and Luke Staley, the players who played right before and after him.
Like some of the other running backs on this list, it wasn’t Brown’s rushing ability that got him on this list, it was his ability as a runner and receiver. Brown also played in a transition time for BYU, towards the end of the Crowton’s bad years and the beginning of Mendenhall’s good years.
Rankings
Impact B+
Brown was the running back while BYU was struggling to have a good starting quarterback. While there, Brett Engemann and Matt Berry started until John Beck finally became the full time starter in 2005. Once Beck was the starter, Brown was a nice asset for the team, especially with defenses so concerned with the receivers Jonny Harline, McKay Jacobson and Todd Watkins. Brown gave a balance to the team and took advantage of it scoring 16 touchdowns in the 2005 season.
Statistics B+
Brown’s statistics take a bit of a hit because he didn’t play much his freshman season, which is sort of a question because the starter was Lucas Whalen, a one year starter. Brown had one really good scoring season, 2005. As mentioned in the Impact ranking, he scored 16 touchdowns in 2005, but managed only 20 more the rest of his career (6.7 average). The stat that jumps off the stat sheet the most is that he had two seasons of 1,500 all-purpose yards. What is most remarkable is in 2005 and 2006 he had 256 touches each season and went 1,577 and 1,576 yards each year. That is what you could call consistent. What is even crazier is that he was the all-time leading rusher at BYU when he graduated passing Jamal Willis and Luke Staley and every other running back that had ever worn a BYU uniform. He currently sits in third place.
Memorable Moments C-
Curtis Brown actually doesn’t have too many memorable plays or moments. His style of running and playmaking ability was unique. He was a fast and shifty runner who could run somebody over. He had one run that is memorable against Tulsa when he caught a slant pass and hit a defender, rolled over another one, stayed on his feet and went for 65 yards for the touchdown. He also ended his career on a high note scoring two touchdowns and running for 120 yards against Oregon to help give the Cougars their first bowl game win since 1997.
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