Jeffrey D. Allred/Associated Press

BYU's Austin Collie stretches for a pass just out of reach against Arizona. Collie's last game against the Lobos was a loss. Back from his mission after two years out of football, he leads Cougar receivers with 15 catches for 241 yards and three touchdowns.

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BYU receiver Austin Collie remembers the Lobos.

It has been three years since he faced anyone wearing cherry and silver, but Collie vividly recalls the University of New Mexico defense.

Collie led BYU with four receptions for 83 yards against the Lobos, but UNM earned a 21-14 win in 2004.

"I had a couple of good catches and a pretty good day, but I remember they had a really tough defense," Collie said. "They're a very, very good team. And I also remember they beat us that day at our place."

He was a hot prospect who played his rookie season under former coach Gary Crowton.

He was brash and boastful, living up to every bad stereotype about arrogant BYU football.

Collie was quick to tell reporters about a post-game chat between UNM coach Rocky Long and former BYU coach Gary Crowton. Long told Crowton, who was struggling and a few weeks away from being fired, that the Cougars were capable of upsetting Urban Meyer's undefeated Utah squad. It was supposed to be a private consolation chat, but Crowton told his players and Collie was quick to make it a public message.

"I think I've matured a lot," Collie said.

His life changed when he went on a Mormon mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Collie returned a changed man.

"I believe that my potential has risen from the time of my freshman year until now," he said. "I feel like the bar has been raised since I went on my mission. I have developed a lot more patience, and it has helped be a better player."

Collie also returned to a changed team.

Bronco Mendenhall, who was a defensive coordinator at UNM before he took over the same job at BYU, took over as the Cougars head coach. He tightened the reins on the program, emphasizing discipline and honor.

"It's completely different here now," Collie said. "This used to be a really split team. The defense and offense were completely separate and never really communicated. Now, we all work together as a team. We share common goals and want to honor the tradition of BYU football."

Collie said this year's BYU squad is closer than he thought possible three years ago. He suspects those ties have helped the Cougars weather two road losses, leaving them with a 2-2 overall record.

"Our team slogan is that we're a band of brothers," he said. "I know it's clich‚, but we really are a band of brothers. We're family, and we're really close."

Collie is eager to be part of the BYU championship family.

He missed out on the Cougars' run to a Mountain West Conference title last season, but he has resumed his role as a star receiver.

He has 15 catches for 241 yards and three touchdowns, the most trips to the end zone among BYU receivers.

Collie did not see much action against Air Force last week because he was recovering from an ankle injury.

"I am feeling better and hope I get a chance to play" against the Lobos, he said.

UNM coach Rocky Long said he suspects BYU would have played Collie more against Air Force if it had been a close game, but the coaches opted to rest him during the lopsided 31-6 Cougars victory so Collie would be at full strength against the Lobos.

"It's tough not being able to help your team, so I definitely want play Saturday," Collie said. "I know New Mexico is going to be a very tough opponent, and I want to help my team fight for a win."