This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The BYU football team's 27-17 loss to Wisconsin last weekend continues to bring the Cougars more misery. On Monday, BYU announced that wide receiver Mitch Mathews has a shoulder injury that will require surgery. He will not play against this season. Mathews suffered the injury diving for a ball against the Badgers. Three other Cougars suffered injuries that will keep them out of future games, but they are not lost for the season. Linebacker Spencer Hadley has a knee (MCL) injury that will not require surgery. He is listed as week-to-week, but will not play on Saturday against FCS foe Idaho State. Tight end Devin Mahin suffered an adductor (groin) strain and is likely out this week. Offensive lineman Ryker Mathews is dealing with a neck injury and will also miss the ISU game. He hopes to be back for the Notre Dame game on Nov. 23. I was in Palo Alto, Calif., covering BYU's 112-103 win over Stanford tonight at Maples Pavilion and obviously unable to catch coach Bronco Mendenhall's weekly press briefing in Provo. Here are some of Mendenhall's comments, as distributed by the BYU sports information staff: Opening comment:"I was disappointed with our loss, it was a huge opportunity missed. It's a hard one to shake off, not only for myself but for the team as well. I thought that they had one drive more on offense and we gave up one to many on defense. I'm looking forward to helping the team continue to grow and develop and to finish strong." On what he learned after watching game film:"We played really well when everyone did exactly what they needed to do assignment wise. When Wisconsin moved the ball or when we didn't have success moving the ball, it was when we had assignment errors. They were more consistent and more sound throughout the whole game; enough for a 10-point margin of victory. I thought the offensive line played well and Wisconsin really challenged our outside by stacking a number of players inside Cody Hoffman eventually broke through and had some significant catches and gains and a couple no-calls that could have really helped us. I thought that they challenged him and he eventually emerged."On how Wisconsin limited Taysom Hill on the ground:"Just numbers, more guys in the box than we had really seen. They got away with it for most of the game." On how he views this year's senior class: "They are really talented, hardworking and they have accomplished a lot. I think what they are most anxious for is to have a great finish to this year. I think that there is a still a lot left that they can accomplish. I'm grateful that they came to BYU and they've really helped our program."