Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO - This week BYU gears up for an early-season bout with one of the biggest programs in college football, but head coach Bronco Mendenhall says the implications of the result against Texas go beyond the win or loss in week two.
During the weekly broadcast of "BYU Football with Bronco Mendenhall," heard on KSL Newsradio, the coach said that as an independent, BYU finds itself on the boundary of a new division in college football, a division between the Power 5 or "P5" conferences, and a second-tier group of conferences, known as the Group of 5 ("G5"). Mendenhall says this fact puts a magnifying glass on games against P5 opponents like the storied Texas.
"They have one of the largest if not the largest budget," said Mendenhall. "They have the best of everything and so to have the chance to be considered or measured against that, even if it meant two (road games) for one (home game), I'm willing to do it."
Mendenhall also said that BYU is not looking back at the G5 despite not being anointed by the "magic wand" of the P5, and that BYU is independent in the middle ground by design.
Mendenhall pointed out that BYU is the 15th-most watched team in the last three years and only 12 teams have won as many games. He identified those qualifications and the national following P5 as qualities, but for acceptance as a P5 team Bronco has a frank strategy.
"The only way I see it is kicking the door in by winning games."
Despite the financial differences between the two programs, BYU defeated Texas 40-21 last year at LaVell Edwards Stadium and the Longhorns allowed the most rushing yards in school history. This has set a 'revenge' storyline, but when asked about how long that will be a factor in the game Mendenhall responded "Usually until the ball is kicked off, then it just comes down to playing and executing."
*******
Looking back at last week's 35-10 win at Connecticut, Mendenhall focused on the strides Taysom Hill has made from the season-opener at Virginia last year, especially his leadership and accuracy.
"It just kind of clicked and clicked and clicked and clicked," said Mendenhall about BYU's strong start, which led to a 28-7 halftime advantage.
The coach did say he would have liked to see the team score in the third quarter and remain consistent. He also addressed the team's Bronco-era record 15 penalties for 150 yards.
"I watched every one of them," Mendenhall said, "and those guys were trying really, really hard. They can play cleaner, (but) they don't want Taysom to get hit. I was encouraged by how hard they fought. We can continue to clean up their practice habits and their play."
******
The player guest on this week's show was slot receiver Mitchell Juergens (along with identical twin brother and defensive back Garrett Juergens). They are Texas natives out of Houston and couldn't be more excited about playing on the big stage in their home state.
"It's a dream come true I've been looking forward to this game for a long time," said Mitchell. "It's always been a dream of mine and Garrett's to play BYU football, and Texas has always been one of those powerhouse schools growing up where I looked up to and looked up to the athletes."
For Mitchell the UConn game was his first field action in four years, with two seasons on the scout team book-ending two years on an LDS mission. He had two catches, two punt returns, and a rush at UConn.
It's no secret that Texas is missing a few key players to injury and suspension but Mitchell said no matter what position the Longhorns' players occupy on the depth chart, they're Texas athletes and they'll be ready.
Mendenhall likened it to the UConn game, when BYU was missing five key players due to suspension. "I wonder last week if UConn, when they knew that we had five guys not playing, if they lightened up at all?"
*******
Coach Mendenhall took a moment to speak to the recent issues involving former BYU quarterback Max Hall.
"I love Max, loved him before as a player, loved him here as he was helping as a kind of student assistant, and still now. Every one of us goes through trials, some more visible than others, it effects nothing in terms of what I think of him and the support we plan to give him. I certainly feel right now for he and his family and think this will pass and we'll be able to help him through it."
*******
*******
"Quick Hits" from the weekly audience/listener question-and-answer segment:
Bronco says he may be a little more relaxed around media because he has decided to be so and has less responsibility with the defense.
Referring to walk-on Kurt Henderson receiving a scholarship this week, Bronco called it "the best thing I get to do." If he had his way people would choose a school and earn the scholarship through performance after they get there.
The thing players want most out of the home fans right now is full stands from warm-ups to the last second of the fourth quarter.
In practice, there are immediate physical consequences to fouls to prepare for clean play in games. They also have a rule of 'three positives to every negative' to improve the mental side of perrformance.
Defensive Coordinator Nick Howell eats an single refrigerated Kit-Kat finger (Bronco calls it a "cold stick") before every game and this week he shared with the rest of the staff, it may just become a ritual and the fan base is welcome to participate.
*******
