Estimated read time: 2-3 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
Both coaches and players are eager for the return of senior running back Manase Tonga who missed last season with academic issues. The three-year letterman may return to the team early next week. The return of Tonga could give the Cougars a huge boost on offense.
"Anything I say, probably will be wrong as far as getting things pinned down. It looks good to this point. Probable is the way I put it, but I can't give you a deadline still." said Bronco Mendenhall.
He has the support of his teammates. Sophomore receiver O'Neill Chambers, who wore number 11 last year will change his number. "I'll be wearing number 4. Manase Tonga is returning, so I gave him his number back. He's a senior this year and I wanted a new beginning for me... I had number 4 for my freshman and sophomore years in high school it's not really a new number for me."
As Saturday football began for BYU football, head coach Bronco Mendenhall was looking for something that was lacking at the end of the 2008 season
"This particular team and this particular staff, I just look for their eagerness to come and play football again." said Mendenhall. "That was there and as long as that's in place and maintains it, then I think we can get all the position mastery and execution ready to go."
"At the end of last season, I don't think we were eager to play. It was an endurance test, this is a lot more fun." said Mendenhall, referring to tough loses to TCU, Utah and Arizona in the bowl game.
Senior quarterback Max Hall was pleased with the effort.
"The intensity was there and guys were flying around and trying to make plays. We did have some mistakes... but I'm very excited about this football team. I think we'll win a lot of football games." Max Hall
