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PROVO — After spending the first two weeks of the season traveling across the country, BYU will finally host its first home game of the 2011 season this weekend. Normally comfortable at home, the Cougars may be less so as this first game will be the annual rivalry game with Utah, and the two fan bases have experienced extremely competitive games recently.
Since coaches Bronco Mendenhall of BYU and Kyle Whittingham of the U of U took over their respective teams in 2005, this series has seen five of the first six games decided by a touchdown or less. Both coaches have three wins against the other so far heading into the seventh meeting between the two.
“I am still getting used to the idea of Utah being the third week of the season,” Mendenhall said. “I expect a hard-fought, physical battle and look forward to the next game in our BYU-Utah series.”
Mendenhall met with the media leading up to the annual rivalry game against Utah. Here's what he had to say.
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Coach Kyle Whittingham met with the press earlier this week leading up to the annual grudge match with BYU. A summary of his comments are below.On how he would rank the offensive production:“I don’t have a scale of any sort. I think we have good players and good ability. They’re still optimistic and working hard. I think it’s a work in progress.”
On the offensive play calling:
“I’m on board. I think I was asked about the third down and draw after the game. Sometimes the best time for a draw is when no one thinks there will be a draw. I think the biggest issue right now is, we have to find a way to run the ball more effectively. I’m fairly happy with our play action and intermediate throws. Ideally, we’ll get to that point as our targets emerge. You are sort of seeing Ross Apo emerge somewhat now, which I think is something Cody Hoffman did a year ago. We’ve got to get more consistently open downfield for those shots to be taken. Eventually, maybe 25 percent of those throws will be downfield. In the Texas game, a variety of pressure and a variety of looks made us a little more protection conscious and downfield conscious.”
On coming home after two difficult road games:
“I think the timing is great. I thought our team responded very well to both our road challenges and competed very hard. The execution could certainly keep improving.”
On Jake Heaps’ progress:
Cougar Tracks:
Cougars up and running for their rivals
There was a common theme that emerged from a grueling Tuesday practice, four days ahead of BYU's rivalry meeting with Utah: the running game.“I think he’s right on. Again, the biggest thing that will be helpful to Jake and our offense is to come out swinging and run the ball more effectively. I think we have to develop that, and maybe right now he’s carrying too much of the load.”
On similarities between Utah and BYU:
“If you were to make an analogy right now, both defenses are playing fairly solid and both offenses are working into their own identity. Not having analyzed them enough yet, it appears there could be some similarities.”
On playing Utah so early in the season:
“Really we’re going to try and go back and study UCLA where Norm Chow was and get carryover plays and carryover concepts, knowing this is the third game where there will be some things that are a little different. We’ll do our best to prepare and adjust. I’m not sure if there will be a play or two or a grouping of plays that we have to adjust on. You just do your best to predict it.”
On Utah’s run game:
“No. 15 (John White IV), the running back, I was impressed with at the USC game. He runs hard and quick and can break tackles. He’s not big but he is fairly elusive and more physical than you’d expect from a player that size.”
On the rivalry game:
“It’s hard to say. Right now I’m having a hard time getting my own mind around playing the University of Utah this week knowing that it’s so early. I would like it to be a first-class rivalry, and the games already indicate that. They’ll be down to the last play and the games are very competitive. I don’t know how it will affect the surrounding fans.”
Landon Walters is a history and political science major currently studying at Salt Lake Community College and is an avid sports fan. He can be reached at mavericksoccer_22@hotmail.com.
