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Albuquerque, N.M. • By the time he got back to Provo and clicked on his computer, BYU kicker Mitch Payne had 75 or 80 new friend requests on Facebook.

"Most were supportive, I guess," he said.

Of course, Payne's 42-yard field-goal attempt was blocked as time expired against Utah, allowing the Utes to take a 17-16 victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Nov. 27.

Three weeks later, Payne hopes to help the Cougars erase some of the memories of that bitter last-second loss when they take on UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday (noon, ESPN).

"I was kind of worried [that fans would blame him for the loss] after the game a little bit, but everybody just seemed to be able to understand the situation. So that's made my life a lot easier," said the senior from North Ogden. "It was really hard to sleep that weekend, after the game. I just kept on re-living that. But since then, I have just kind of moved on." Already BYU's all-time leader in PATs with 186, Payne has a chance to become the school's all-time leading scorer in his final game on Saturday. Owen Pochman had 333 points from 1997-2000. Payne has 324.

As for what would have been the biggest three points of his career, Payne said the proper adjustments have been made to ensure another attempt isn't blocked.

"You live and learn," he said.

Freshman transferring

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said Thursday that freshman defensive tackle Tayo Fabuluje, a highly regarded prospect from Texas, has asked for his release and will transfer. "Whether he [will] change his mind or not, I am not certain," Mendenhall said. "But he is looking to go elsewhere. … I think he just wants to get closer to his mom."

Also, Mendenhall said junior receiver O'Neill Chambers, who was kicked off the team midway through the season, will not be allowed to rejoin the team next year, and will not be on scholarship. However, Mendenhall said Chambers could conceivably return to the team and play in 2012 if he desires and takes the steps necessary to get back into the program's good graces.

Two signings

Defensive back Joe Sampson of San Mateo (Calif.) junior college and offensive tackle Ryker Mathews of American Fork High signed with BYU earlier this week. Both will enroll in January. Sampson will have two years of eligibility remaining, while Mathews will graduate from high school this month in order to enroll early and participate in spring ball.

drew@sltrib.comTwitter: @drewjay,@sltribbyu