Cougs, Utes draw praise

CORONADO, Calif. — Though BYU and Utah weren't ticketed as the teams to beat in the Mountain West Conference this year, the Cougars and Utes did garner some lofty expectations at the league's annual football media blitz. They joined projected champion TCU in placing five players on the all-MWC preseason team.

BYU picked up a pair of individual accolades, with quarterback John Beck being named Offensive Player of the Year and wide receiver McKay Jacobson earning Freshman of the Year recognition. Utah safety Eric Weddle was tabbed as Defensive Player of the Year.

The awards, like the preseason poll that projected the Cougars second and Utes third, were met with reserved fanfare.

"They could have picked me out as eighth team," said Beck, who earned first-team all-conference honors in 2005. "I'm still going to go out there and work the same."

As a senior, Beck has added incentive. He's determined to win more games. Going 6-6, he explained, doesn't cut it.

"I'm out to prove that this team can do something and I can do something better than we did last year," said Beck.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall agrees.

"I think John has earned consideration," he said of Beck's preseason honor. "The next step is the significant number of wins. In the BYU program, the quarterback is measured by the great victories and the great seasons."

Despite career totals of 7,136 passing yards and 47 touchdowns, the senior has yet to make a definitive mark on the program.

"While John helped propel us to a second-place finish and a bowl appearance, that isn't measured at BYU as one of the great seasons," said Mendenhall. "I think John feels like there's unfinished business. . . . Our team and our coaching staff is determined to do better."

A task made easier if Jacobson lives up to his preseason billing. The Texas prep star caught 99 passes for 1,631 yards as senior — earning enough notice to become the MWC's preseason choice as most promising newcomer.

Other projected bright spots for the Cougars include offensive lineman Jake Kuresa, tight end Jonny Harline, running back Curtis Brown and linebacker Cameron Jensen. Each joined Beck on the first team.

As for being picked to finish second in the standings, Mendenhall isn't worrying about it. He called it a safe pick by the media, considering that's where BYU finished the season.

"I don't really put any stock in the preseason poll. I believe — last year — that TCU was picked sixth," said Mendenhall. "I'm just looking forward to our team playing and earning the place we finish at the end of the year."