Mendenhall: Michigan loss 'dead, buried, moved forward'


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PROVO — Every BYU fan knows that the loss at Michigan has to be put in the past and the team has to look forward to the future.

That's easier said than done.

So how does coach Bronco Mendenhall move past the first shutout loss of his career? A fan at the coach's show asked Mendenhall how he moves past a disappointing loss.

"There's a lot of cool research. Before you can get over a setback, you have to have closure," Mendenhall explained on his weekly radio show "BYU Football with Bronco Mendenhall" Tuesday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

"From the time the game is over till Monday morning, I go through routines and by the time the last thing is done, it's dead and buried and I've moved forward," he added.

Mendenhall spoke about how outside interference is always a struggle with the team. For the past few weeks, that interference or outside noise was national and really positive.

Talking about the outside praise, he said, "It feels good, it's really easy for a slight edge to be lost in preparation."

Mendenhall also talked about how after two losses he realizes that outside noise could likely begin to be negative. "We can't control (outside criticism) but what we can control is what our intent is."

When the grieving was done and it was time to work on Monday, Mendenhall was grateful to have Micah Hannemann, who joined the coach as the player guest on the show.

The coach had high praise for the work ethic and natural ability of the sophomore from Highland, Utah.

Defensive back Micah Hannemann signs an autograph for a young fan Tuesday night while taping "BYU Football with Bronco Mendenhall," hosted by KSL NewsRadio's Greg Wrubell. (Photo: Elora Grant/IMG College)
Defensive back Micah Hannemann signs an autograph for a young fan Tuesday night while taping "BYU Football with Bronco Mendenhall," hosted by KSL NewsRadio's Greg Wrubell. (Photo: Elora Grant/IMG College)

Hannemann was featured as the player guest for the coach's show, following his career-high 10 tackles against Michigan.

"He's (Hannemann) one of the best players on our team, and very versatile. He tackles ferociously, practices hard. Just at the front end of his career. (He's got a) super, super bright future," Mendenhall said.

Hannemann talked about his roles on defense, returning punts and being on the punt team.

"I want to have an impact on the game," the Lone Peak alum said.

Mendenhall talked about Hannemann's versatility and how his skills transferred easily to all defensive back positions.

Those skills were on display against Nebraska when Hannemann made an impressive interception that required a great toe-touch in-bounds.

The play was recognized on ESPN's SportsCenter as the No. 6 play of the day.

Another reason Mendenhall gets along with Hannemann is their shared passion for surfing. The coach jokingly said that if a starting position came between Hannemann and a non-surfer, Hannemann would get the job.

Mendenhall admitted that Hannemann is far and away the superior surfer, but both enjoy catching waves when they can.

Besides talking about the swell, Mendenhall awarded the Firehouse Sub Firestarter of the Game award to linebacker Sione Takitaki.

"He loves to play the game, explosive, exciting, and violent on the field," Mendenhall said of Takitaki. "It wasn't possible for Michigan to run the ball when he was on the field."

The Cougars will need Takitaki and Hannemann to show up against UConn's offense, especially the dual-threat quarterback Bryant Shirreffs.

Mendenhall mentioned Shirreffs' playmaking abilities but is confident that the improvement of his defense will make it possible for the Cougars to win a defensive battle come Friday. David Boyle is a student at Brigham Young University studying journalism. He is from Monticello, Utah, and is thrilled to be covering BYU football and basketball for fall 2015.

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