Albuquerque, N.M. » When BYU recruited J.J. DiLuigi out of Canyon Country High in Southern California, he was billed as a steady but undersized running back who could occasionally make big plays. The Cougars called him one of the top prizes of their 2007 recruiting class. As the end of his second full season draws to a close, the sophomore is finally starting to live up to expectations.

"The coaches have put me in a great role, one that fits me," DiLuigi said. "I am helping the team, and my teammates are enjoying me in there with the team, and are making plays with me. It is a fun time."

Versatility has proven to be DiLuigi's game. He's second on the team in rushing yards (206), fifth in receiving yards (254) and second in kick return yards (209). More importantly, he has yet to fumble, a problem that plagued him last year and cut short his playing time.

"It took a little time, but I finally feel like I am showing what I can do," he said.

DiLuigi, who had just 13 carries last year, for 48 yards, has proven to be especially effective catching screen passes and taking them for nice gains.

"I love those," he said. "You have to fake the [defensive] line out. They run by you, and then you know you have your big guys on the safeties and linebackers, and it is a big play."

Another runner

The Cougars have seen their share of outstanding running quarterbacks this season, starting with Florida State's Christian Ponder , and BYU outside linebacker Coleby Clawson says New Mexico's Donovan Porterie is right there, too.

"That was exposed as one of our weaknesses, in a couple of different games, letting the quarterback get out [of the pocket] and run wild," Clawson said. "We will have to stop [Porterie] from doing that."

Briefly

Perhaps no statistic illustrates the difference between the offenses of BYU and New Mexico than third-down conversion percentage. BYU is No. 1 in the country in that category (59.4 percent), while New Mexico is 119th of 120 schools (27.4 percent).

drew@sltrib.com