Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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Here's this week's recap from last night's Bronco Mendenhall Show, and I encourage you to listen to the entire program by clicking here.
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The coach said last Saturday's win was maybe BYU's "best" all-around game. Players came off the bye week "fast and physical".
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Bronco liked seeing the shutout stay intact and the ball keep moving after the starters began going to the bench in the 3rd quarter.
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Bronco says the team has practiced well and he expects them to show even more improvements this week at New Mexico.
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Mendenhall says the feedback after talking to senior leadership during the bye week: "The general consensus…is there isn't a lot wrong. And there's not a lot that we would like to do different than we are currently doing it."
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Bronco told us players and coaches all discussed how optimistic they are for the stretch run of the season, motivating everyone to "put pedal to the metal" in the same direction they have been going since Bronco became the head coach.
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The coach said the team is practicing in pads more than they usually do at this point in the season. The players recommended the increase because they felt it protected them more, and actually brought LESS wear and tear on their bodies. According to Bronco, the healthiest teams are the teams that finish the season at the highest level.
Bronco noticed the difference in the Wyoming, as the Cowboys appeared more tired than the Cougars did. The Cougars have still not gone with full pads, though.
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With 10-win seasons and Mountain West Conference championships, Bronco says the BYU program has shown consistency; the "summit" is the Cougars playing for a national championship. Bronco believes it is a realistic goal, but it takes time. Continued consistency will be what opens the door. He pointed out that the 1984 team had won nine of 10 conference championships before they won the national title.
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Mendenhall says he knows that any recent fan negativity comes from a "very vocal minority" and does not represent most Cougar fans. Bronco says that it is a huge "boost" for players to know they have supporters in Lavell Edwards Stadium, and following them throughout the nation and the world. "The interest in our program is phenomenal."
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Bronco says Back-up QB Riley Nelson is fearless and moved the offense well on Saturday. Bronco appreciates his leadership and competitive spirit. Bronco said that Nelson is "a little impatient in pocket" and "over-anxious" from not playing a lot. He expects Nelson will help Cougars win a lot of football games in the future. Though Nelson's mobility "adds another element to team," no ‘wildcat' formation is in the plans for the rest of the season.
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The coach informed us that due to the lack of depth on the offensive line, team hasn't been able to do the "Thursday Night Lights" scrimmage for scout team players. During the bye week, the back-ups and 3rd-stringers were given "significant work."
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Bronco says he cares more about the team BYU would play in a bowl than where the Cougars play. he did note the possibility of some "Las Vegas fatigue" after four consecutive appearances in the Las Vegas Bowl.
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