Salt Lake Tribune: Cougars hurt by inconsistency

The good and the bad: BYU has looked strong on defense this season, but terrible at times as well

By Patrick Kinahan

PROVO - Trying to grade out Brigham Young's defense this season is a tricky assignment.  Depending on the game, the Cougars ran the gamut from horrible to outstanding. The truth, as coach Bronco Mendenhall evaluates, is somewhere in between.  "I think we're an average defense at best at this point in terms of statistically," said Mendenhall, who serves as his own defensive coordinator.  BYU's defense began the season strong, keeping nationally ranked Boston College in check except for a few big plays. The group also showed well during the team's midseason five-game Mountain West Conference winning streak.  But, as the Cougars know full well, there also were horrendous performances. The dismal efforts against eventual Mountain West champion Texas Christian and currently fifth-ranked Notre Dame are impossible to overlook.  TCU overcame a large deficit in the second half, with a reserve quarterback directing touchdown drives on five consecutive possessions. The Horned Frogs eventually won 51-50 in overtime.  Notre Dame's offense set a host of records against the Cougars, led by Brady Quinn's six touchdown passes. The Irish receivers made a mockery of BYU's secondary.  "We haven't reached the goals that we kind of set out at the beginning of the season," said senior safety Spencer White. "I'm not going to say excuses on injuries or anything. I think we steadily improved during that winning streak and got a little bit better."  Whatever the grade is to this point, it's not complete. The defense has one more chance this season, playing California in the Las Vegas Bowl on Thursday.  For BYU, especially the seven senior starters, it's an opportunity to compete with a respected Pac-10 team.  "I'm really excited to have another chance to get back out there," said senior defensive end Justin Maddux. "I'm excited for the challenge of going against Cal, because they run the ball so well."

The Bears are among the best running teams. having two players combining for 2,014 yards. Marshawn Lynch ran for 1,052 yards, with Justin Forsett right behind at 962 yards.  The injuries that wreaked havoc on the lineup bode well for BYU's future. At various points this season, seniors along the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary missed games with assorted ailments.  In most cases, freshmen and sophomores got valuable experience.  "For the future, every time I think about it I'm optimistic," said Maddux. "We have a bunch of young bucks. I look around and think they're going to be really good."  BYU loses all three defensive linemen, including Vince Feula and T.J. Sitake. Counting season-ending injuries to Daniel Marquardt and Manaia Brown, the number increases to five.  Junior Hala Paongo and freshman Kyle Luekenga are expected to make significant contributions next season. Mendenhall also singled out Jan Jorgensen, who is redshirting as a freshman this year.  "When he takes his reps in practice, he does very well," Maddux said. "He's very good at being physical with people."  Linebackers Paul Walkenhorst and Justin Luettgerodt both graduate, but Mendenhall frequently rotates several players at those positions. Markell Staffieri and Bryan Kehl will be in the mix next season, along with redshirts Terrance Hooks and Chris Bolden.  White and Nate Soelberg were the only seniors to see extensive playing time in the secondary, which could be interpreted different ways. To the cynic, it means the return of several players who got torched this season. Those players, however, should be improved with experience.   Mendenhall also has stated BYU's primary recruiting need is in the secondary. Next year's lineup likely will feature junior college transfers.  More than personnel, BYU will benefit from another year in Mendenhall's system.  "This is the start of something," White said. "I just think it's great. I wish I could have a little more time in this program, but it's just great to be a part of of the start of something special, because I know it's going to get better and better."