Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Salt Lake Tribune: BYU's defense has struggled and been stellar this season

By Patrick Kinahan

The difference has an impact that seems to go far beyond one game. 7-5 or 6-6.  The record books will show one or the other after Brigham Young plays California in the Las Vegas Bowl on Thursday. Either way, the Cougars are calling this season a success.  As much as BYU wanted to win a conference championship, the program absolutely needed to play in a bowl game this season. With that in mind, it's appropriate to say BYU achieved its primary goal.  "Playing postseason is one measure of success," said first-year coach Bronco Mendenhall. "Winning it is another measure of success. How we play in this game will certainly indicate our postseason readiness and the readiness to take the next step."  More than one month ago, the Cougars were all smiles after beating Wyoming in Laramie. A modest 6-4 record rarely has produced such happiness. But the outcome represented more than one win. For Mendenhall and his team, it officially buried three consecutive losing seasons.  Not even a disappointing overtime loss to Utah, which was a double-digit underdog, has ruined BYU's sense of accomplishment.  The Cougars arrived Sunday in Las Vegas for one reason, they say. "We deserved it," said quarterback John Beck.  True enough. It's hard to argue BYU belongs in Las Vegas. Based on their record, the Cougars were the Mountain West's second-best team, behind runaway champion Texas Christian, which will play in the Houston Bowl.  After starting the conference with losses to TCU and San Diego State, the Cougars reeled off five consecutive wins. Counting the overtime loss to the Horned Frogs, they were two plays away from finishing with a 7-1 conference record.

   Las Vegas Bowl officials, seeing visions of a big crowd, couldn't wait to match BYU against the Pac-10's No. 5 team. The game is a sellout.  "We're successful in having a winning season, but does that define success?" said receiver Todd Watkins. "It just depends on who you ask. Beating a quality Pac-10 opponent in a bowl game would definitely be a successful season."  From one point, a loss to Cal makes the season seem like the last three years. From 2002-04, each of Gary Crowton's teams ended with at least a two-game losing streak.  In 2003, closing on a three-game losing streak led to a 4-8 record, BYU's worst in more than 30 years. To some, a 6-6 record may not seem much different from the 5-6 BYU went last season.  "People determine how much success you have by the amount of wins on your schedule," said running back Curtis Brown.  This year, though, has been different even if the record is not substantially improved. The majority of players have bought into Mendenhall's philosophy, which demands accountability and effort.

Since getting the job 53 weeks ago, Mendenhall has not strayed from his principles. "For once in my career here, I feel like we have a solid foundation and what we're doing is right," said Brown, a redshirt junior. "What we're doing is preparing us for success in the future."  Mendenhall attributes a lot of the team's success to the 29 seniors, who can stake claim to being leaders in the program's restoration. The likes of safety Spencer White, cornerback Nate Soelberg and offensive linemen Lance Reynolds and Brian Sanders have never played on a winning team at BYU.  "They were asked to do a lot," Mendenhall said, "and they were asked to believe in a coach that had never been a head coach before under circumstances that weren't very favorable around here in terms of the perception of the program. To their credit they hung in."  With the extended break between games, the Cougars began preparing for Cal on Dec. 9. Mendenhall's plan was to finish most of the work at home.  BYU scheduled morning practices for three days in Las Vegas, along with participation in bowl activities.  "As far as our preparation, nothing should change," Brown said. "When you're giving 110 percent, how do you change that week to week?  "It's not a vacation when you're out on the practice field. The whole purpose of being out here is to win. When there's free time to enjoy ourselves, enjoy ourselves." Drawing from the Utah game, Mendenhall will work on avoiding distractions. The Cougars prepared well in the week leading up to the showdown, he said, but then lost focus on the field before the game. Minutes before kickoff, several players got caught in jawing with the Utes. The trash talking continued into the game. By the time BYU regained its composure, Utah led 24-3.  "How we performed in the first half was clearly reflective of not a focused football team," Mendenhall said.  Since getting into coaching as a graduate assistant at Oregon State in 1989, Mendenhall has been involved in one bowl game. As New Mexico's defensive coordinator, after already having accepted a similar position at BYU, Mendenhall was a part of the Las Vegas Bowl in 2002.  Several BYU assistants have coached in various bowl games. Offensive coordinator Robert Anae was Texas Tech's offensive line coach in last year's Holiday Bowl against Cal

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