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PROVO — As BYU begins its second bye week of the season, Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall couldn't help but reflect on the Cougars' impressive win this past Friday against Boise State.
"After the film and watching Boise State, a really good football game. Offensively, defensively we continue to gain momentum. I think our team is improving, I think they're more optimistic than ever. The bye week comes at a really good time to heal. (It's) nice to get a few extra days looking at Wisconsin. We're looking forward to a great game in Madison, on a big stage in front of a lot of people."
After Friday's win over the Broncos, Coach Mendenhall wasn't sure how he would structure practices during the bye week. Today, he revealed that it will be a mixture of getting healthy and getting ready for the Badgers.
"Most (of the week) is being healthy; probably two days worth of Wisconsin prep, three days if you add meeting day. Most of our Wisconsin work will be next week."
In regards to being healthy, BYU saw three of its players suffer concussions during Saturday night's victory. Safety Daniel Sorensen, defensive back Mike Hague and defensive lineman Marques Johnson all left the game with a concussion.
"Everybody looks good; for the game." Bronco said. Those that had concussions are improved from gameday to now...if we were playing this upcoming Saturday, that would be touch-and-go but being the next Saturday, there's no risk."
With the BYU defense playing significantly more plays than last year, players are really starting to feel it now that the season is more than halfway over. Senior linebacker Kyle Van Noy was asked how his body is holding up; KVN responded with a laugh and said, "beat up."
While the team may be battered and bruised, the confidence level couldn't be higher. With an offense that has found its rhythm, and a defense that continues to hold teams below their averages, the Cougars' confidence is at an all-time high. "I think it's the highest it's ever been this far (in the season)," Van Noy said."
I think we're going into Wisconsin to prove ourselves that we can play on the big stage...against a great opponent...it's gonna be a good atmosphere, it's gonna be a fun game."
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With two losses on the season, the Cougars are probably a BCS long-shot, but that hasn't stopped the players from talking about it.
"There's always going to be talk," Cody Hoffman said. "That's our goal to start the season; to make the BCS. We're always going to keep our hopes and dreams alive and not say that we're completely out of the picture. We're going to continue to strive for it whether we can or not."
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Wide receiver Skyler Ridley had to sit out the first half of BYU's game with the Broncos due to a targeting penalty that was called after the Cougars' victory against Houston.
Bronco said that every play of a game is reviewed once the game is done and if a play is deemed to have been missed it is passed along to be reviewed by the College Football Officials Association. The CFOA decided that Ridley's hit was worthy of the suspension.
In response to a question if there is an appeal process, Coach Mendenhall said, "I saw the play and I thought it was targeting; so I didn't appeal."
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Linebacker Kyle Van Noy was named one of 12 semi-finalists for the Butkis Award, given to the nation's best linebacker. The senior from Reno is grateful for the attention but is quick to say it's not just about him.
"I think it's a great accomplishment to be added with some of the best linebackers in the country, Van Noy said." "I'm really appreciative of being elected for that, but I wouldn't be able to do it without my teammates helping me out. If I were to win any awards it would also be a team award because I would be where I'm at without them."
Coach Mendenhall said he's not surprised to see #3 continue to receive accolades. "I don't ever underestimate what Kyle can do," Mendenhall said.
"He's drawing a lot of attention by our opponents; I know that...he's really good, and so any accolades he gets he deserves."
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You can listen to post-practice audio from Bronco Mendenhall, Kyle Van Noy, Eathyn Manumaleuna, Cody Hoffman and Kelly Poppinga by clicking on the links in "Cougar Cuts," above left.
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