AUSTIN, TX — After suffering a disappointing season-opening loss at Virgina this past weekend, the BYU Cougars host the Texas Longhorns in the home opener at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday.

The Cougars and Longhorns haven't played each other since 2011, when BYU lost at Texas, 17-16. Here's what the Longhorns are saying about this week's matchup with BYU.

Texas Head Coach Mack Brown on playing in Provo:

"They're tough at home. They've won 88.9 percent of their home games in the last seven years. They're 40-5. They've got great atmosphere so that should be fun for our guys."

Mack Brown on BYU's offense:

"Williams carried it 33 times. He's a big, strong, over 200-pound guy that can make things happen. He's a real force. They're a physical running team. The quarterback is very athletic. He can run the option. They're running a lot of option. He can sprint, boot. He's a tough guy. Both those guys are a factor. They do need their wide receiver back, (Cody) Hoffman, their leading wide receiver. They've got (Ross) Apo. They have No. 12 (JD Falsley) we just talked about a great punt returner. They have some good players on offense."

Mack Brown on the deference between facing New Mexico State's defense and then BYU's:

"It will be a whole lot better. New Mexico State I thought did a good job coaching, but they didn't have depth. They wore out in the second half. Brigham Young's got depth. They have really good players. They pride themselves on being a tough team. I'm challenging our team because I think Brigham Young is as tough as anybody in the country. Saturday night leaving there I want us to have been as tough and tried as hard as they do."

Related:

BYU's Mendenhall 'encouraged' after season-opening setback

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall says despite a disappointing season-opening loss at Virginia, he is "encouraged" by the team's performance, while at the same time acknowledging the 19-16 defeat "was a hard loss ... really hard."

Texas DC Manny Diaz on BYU:

"Certainly BYU has a very good football team. We know they're very dangerous. They'll be a little bit like a wounded animal. We'll get a better version of BYU than what we saw on tape from the Virginia game. A lot of very unusual circumstances. The field was like a quagmire for the second half of that game. Hard to put a lot of stock in their performance on Saturday. We know they've got some really good players. They've got an up-tempo, fast-paced offense that will be eager to show they're better than how they presented themselves week one."

Texas QB David Ash on the BYU/Texas game in 2011:

"I remember it was a lot of fun. I would go in there every once in a while and kind of run the ball. The main thing I remember was catching that pass, the reverse pass. We won the game. That's the main thing. It was a lot of fun. I do remember they were good, though, a good ball-club. Have to respect them."

Mack Brown on Bronco Mendenhall:

"BYU's coached by Bronco Mendenhall, who is a friend of mine. He's on the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) board with me. We've known each other for quite a while. He's a great head coach. He's also their defensive coordinator. He was an outstanding player, junior college All-American, two-year starter at Oregon State. His dad was a coach. He does a tremendous job."

Texas DE Jackson Jeffcoat on what the team has discussed about BYU:

"Well, the team, just because they lost a game to Virginia, doesn't mean they're going to come out hard at home. They have a great winning record at home. They're going to be a tough team at home. We're excited. We like the challenge."

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