This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • As if the most highly scrutinized starting quarterback battle in school history wasn't a big enough distraction, BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall had another major news item to address midway through fall camp: reports that the football program which he directs was on the verge of declaring its independence from the Mountain West Conference.
However, Mendenhall said Friday that Jake Heaps and Riley Nelson would both play — Nelson will start — and the school was staying mum on its future plans regarding conference affiliation as well.
But the sixth-year coach entered game week against Washington insisting the off-the-field goings-on would not stop the Cougars from continuing their remarkable string of success — 10 wins or more in each of the last four seasons. That despite the fact that this appears to be a rebuilding season for BYU, at least on paper.
The Cougars return only 12 starters, roughly, off a team that went 11-2 last year, finished the season with impressive wins over Utah and Oregon State (in the Las Vegas Bowl) and was ranked No. 12 in the final national polls.
What's more, they are inexperienced up the middle on both sides of the ball. The team that faces Washington in the opener on Sept. 4 at LaVell Edwards Stadium will have new faces at quarterback — Nelson and Heaps — center, middle linebacker and free safety.
"I think the labels that people put on us will be more meaningful after the season is played, and the record might show that it was [a] rebuilding year, or the record might show that it was one of our best teams yet," Mendenhall said. "To put any label on, or to have any predictions as to who is going to finish where, or what players are all-conference, I never put much stock in that."
The Cougars are picked to finish third in the MWC this year — after taking second last year — and face perhaps the toughest early schedule since they opened against Florida State, UCLA, Penn State and Air Force in 1991. This year, they get Washington, Air Force and Florida State right off the bat, the latter two games on the road.
"People continually talk about us rebuilding," said preseason all-conference safety Andrew Rich. "I know we have lost some good players, but we have some really good players coming back."
At BYU, it always starts with the quarterback position, which will be split between the more experienced Nelson and his superior running ability and the talented freshman Heaps. The team announced Friday that Nelson would make the first start against Washington on Sept. 4.
The situation, Mendenhall has admitted, isn't "perfect," but both can do different things for the Cougar offense and the pair offer versatility.
The coach's biggest concern with his team this year?
"I would just say inexperience," he said.
In BYU's corner, however, is a fairly experienced offensive line that includes potential NFL first-rounder Matt Reynolds and a strong stable of receivers led by McKay Jacobson. It is a team without stars, though, after the last two iterations included the likes of the school's winningest quarterback (Max Hall), all-time leading receiver (Austin Collie and then Dennis Pitta) and all-time rushing leader (Harvey Unga).
"The teams that I have enjoyed the most at BYU, it was about the collective, not the individual," Mendenhall said. "I have such trust and belief in the type of kids that come, and their abilities, I believe it will work itself out."
Defensively, the Cougars have an experienced secondary, led by Rich and corners Brian Logan and Brandon Bradley. The front seven includes just one returning starter, strongside linebacker Jordan Pendleton, and will be tested early as the Cougars face some of the best running quarterbacks in the nation in September and early October.
BYU at a glance
The basics • The Cougars finished the 2009 season on a roll, edging rival Utah in overtime before overwhelming Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl. But offensive stars Max Hall, Dennis Pitta and Harvey Unga are now trying to make it in the NFL, leaving in their place no real stars, no bonafide playmakers. It looks like the Cougars are in for a rebuilding year, but coach Bronco Mendenhall begs to differ.
Big question • Having won 10 or more games in each of the past 10 seasons, arguably the most glorious run in school history, the Cougars enter the 2010 season with a new quarterback and plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball. Despite inexperience and youth at several key positions, can they continue their remarkable string of success?
MVP • Coach Bronco Mendenhall said Friday that the quarterbacks will split time this season. Riley Nelson will get the first series. Mendenhall says the offensive load at running back and receiver will be carried by committee. So let's look at the defense, and say that junior outside linebacker Jordan Pendleton seems ready to take on that playmaking role in the tradition of past defensive greats such as Bryan Kehl and Jan Jorgensen.
Best-case scenario • Mendenhall's plan to play two quarterbacks works, and the Cougars get through a murderous opening-month schedule with a 3-1 record. They build some momentum with a few easy wins before the showdown Oct. 16 at TCU, and somehow overcome the Frogs' superior talent to spring a monumental upset in Fort Worth, or at least avoid getting blown off the field. Four winnable games then set them up for another epic encounter with the University of Utah, with perhaps a conference title on the line in the final league meeting between the longtime rivals.
Worst-case scenario • Washington's Jake Locker tears up a BYU defense that has always struggled against running quarterbacks, and that trend continues through the month of September. Meanwhile, the Nelson-Heaps tandem doesn't work out and both quarterbacks struggle to fill the shoes of the departed Max Hall. The 1-3 Cougars limp into October to find a fired-up bunch of Aggies waiting for them, get drilled again by TCU in the middle of the month and start worrying more about becoming bowl eligible (six wins) than what they will do in Las Vegas for a sixth-straight year. —
2010 schedule
Date Opponent Time TV
Sept. 4 Washington 5 p.m. CBS College
Huskies out for revenge after losing by a point to the Cougars in controversy-marred 2008 game in Seattle
Sept. 11 at Air Force 2 p.m. Versus
Falcons are miserable against the Cougars in November; will an early September date be the charm?
Sept. 18 at Florida State 1:30 p.m. ESPNU
Seminoles trounced BYU in Provo last year, so do Cougars have the horses to turn the tables in Tallahassee?
Sept. 25 Nevada 4 p.m. The Mtn.
Wolf Pack part of the group that scuttled BYU's independence plans, some say in dishonorable fashion
Oct. 1 at Utah State 6 p.m. ESPN
A General Conference special in Logan could get interesting if Ags are as improved as promised
Oct. 9 San Diego State 4 p.m. The Mtn.
Perhaps another ho-hum game, until SDSU's Brady Hoke made disparaging remarks about BYU in August
Oct. 16 at TCU 2 p.m. Versus
Frogs have owned the Cougars the past two years, including that 32-7 beatdown two years ago in Texas
Oct. 23 Wyoming Noon The Mtn.
Cowboys were beat 52-0 last year in Laramie, and have been outscored 96-0 by BYU in last two matchups
Nov. 6 UNLV Noon The Mtn.
New coach Bobby Hauck, former Montana coach, makes his first trip to Provo
Nov. 13 at Colorado State Noon The Mtn.
Could be a cold, snowy day on the front range, as Rams return some decent offensive talent
Nov. 20 New Mexico 4 p.m. The Mtn.
Lobos threw a major scare into the Cougars last year in Albuquerque, but kicker couldn't deliver
Nov. 27 at Utah 1:30 p.m. The Mtn., CBS College
Last matchup of Utes and Cougars as league rivals should be a dandy one at Rice-Eccles Stadium —
BYU roster: Two deep
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Jake Heaps 6-1 194 Fr.
Has been as good as advertised in camp
Or Riley Nelson 6-0 201 Jr.
Starter or not, he will have a role
Tailback
J.J. DiLuigi 5-9 190 Jr.
Ran for 248 yards, 3 TDs in '09
Josh Quezada 5-11 211 Fr.
Excellent pass-catcher out of backfield
Combo back
Bryan Kariya 6-0 218 Jr.
Filled in well when Unga was hurt last year
Mike Hague 5-10 220 Jr.
Slowed by mission rust, ankle injury in '09
Fullback
Zed Mendenhall 5-11 239 Soph.
Son of Bronco's cousin is a bruiser
Mike Hague 5-10 220 Jr.
Undersized, but versatile
H receiver
McKay Jacobson 5-11 190 Jr.
23 catches for 556 yards last year
Matt Marshall 5-10 172 Jr.
Primarily used as a kick holder
Z receiver
Luke Ashworth 6-2 201 Sr.
Fitness freak in best shape of life
Ross Apo 6-3 202 Fr.
Being pushed by Rhen Brown
X receiver
O'Neill Chambers 6-2 211 Jr.
Moments of brilliance in fall camp
Cody Hoffman 6-4 205 Fr.
Slowed by hamstring strain in recent days
Tight end
Richard Wilson 6-2 233 Fr.
Our best guess; could be five others here
Devin Mahina 6-6 236 Fr.
Again, a guess; coaches haven't said either way
Left tackle
Matt Reynolds 6-6 322 Jr.
All-America candidate anchors experienced line
Walter Kahaiali'i 6-3 334 Soph.
Could also play right tackle spot
Left guard
Braden Hansen 6-6 310 Soph.
Made some freshman All-America teams
Ryan Freeman 6-2 272 Jr.
Still a bit undersized, but getting bigger
Center
Terence Brown 6-4 330 Jr.
Has improved his snaps immensely
Houston Reynolds 6-2 308 Fr.
Returned missionary sat out last year with knee injury
Right guard
Jason Speredon 6-5 308 Sr.
Looks like a prototypical NFL lineman
Nick Alletto 6-6 325 Sr.
Made 11 starts at right tackle last year
Right tackle
Braden Brown 6-6 300 Soph.
Converted tight end has made great strides
Walter Kahaiali'i 6-3 334 Soph.
Saw some playing time before his mission
DEFENSE
Left end
Eathyn Manumaleuna 6-2 295 Soph.
Famous for blocking UCLA kick pre-mission
Matt Putnam 6-6 271 Jr.
Delayed start might have cost him a starting job
Nose tackle
Romney Fuga 6-2 307 Jr.
Mendenhall calls him irreplaceable
Jordan Richardson 6-3 271 Soph.
Makes a lot of plays in practice
Right end
Vic So'oto 6-3 261 Sr.
More "sacks" than anyone in fall camp
Thomas Bryson 6-5 235 Fr.
Suspended for opener against Washington
Strongside linebacker
Jordan Pendleton 6-3 239 Jr.
Offseason shoulder surgery has limited his contact
Zeke Mendenhall 5-11 212 Jr.
Converted DB trying to add weight
Weakside linebacker
Jameson Frazier 6-2 225 Jr.
Could also back up Pendleton at SAM
Kyle Van Noy 6-3 219 Fr.
Might be defense's most athletic player
Mike linebacker
Shane Hunter 5-10 232 Sr.
A guy who has paid his dues
Zac Stout 6-1 229 Fr.
Slowed by concussion, but has been impressive
Buck linebacker
Brandon Ogletree 5-11 225 Soph.
Ferocious hitter was a special teams ace
Or Aveni Leung Wai 6-1 238 Jr.
Juco transfer adds grit, toughness
Field corner
Brian Logan 5-6 185 Sr.
Height is a disadvantage, but he's a sure tackler
Robbie Buckner 5-10 176 Soph.
Questionable for opener due to broken hand
Boundary corner
Brandon Bradley 6-0 193 Sr.
Two-year starter is solid, but not spectacular
Corby Eason 5-8 172 Jr.
Will be first corner in if a starter goes down
KAT safety
Andrew Rich 6-3 217 Sr.
Another defender who can't be replaced
Jray Galea'i 6-0 179 Fr.
Coaches love his athleticism, instincts
Free safety
Steven Thomas 5-11 172 Jr.
Knows where to be, struggles to make plays
Travis Uale 6-2 197 Jr.
Utah transfer biding his time —
BYU blog
V Coach Bronco Mendenhall says two inside linebackers have inside track on starting.