Cougars still in search of '06 statement victory

PROVO — BYU heads into the Dec. 21 Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon proud to represent itself as well as the rest of the Mountain West Conference.

With the bowl game being televised nationally by ESPN and featuring an opponent from the Pac-10, Cougar coach Bronco Mendenhall looks at this matchup as a golden opportunity.

"It's a chance to accelerate our program and maybe the perception of this conference by how we play in that game," he said. "It certainly has significance in moving our program and the conference forward. I think the national recognition that would happen because it is Oregon, and their reputation, would be helpful to everyone."

The Cougars claimed the outright MWC crown after posting a perfect 8-0 record. But they are still looking for a marquee non-conference victory this season. BYU narrowly lost games to the Pac-10's Arizona and the Atlantic Coast Conference's Boston College on the road in September.

"There's been a lot of barriers that have been broken down this year with our program and (the Las Vegas Bowl) appears to be the next one in line," Mendenhall said. "This football team constructed certain goals and objectives before the season started and one of those, besides going to a bowl game, was to win a bowl game. They've reached every one of their goals to this point this season other than that one. That's the last remaining thing to finish off the season. Besides that, it's Oregon, which is similar to BCS teams that we've lost two close games to this season."

'CIVIL WAR' REMEMBERED: Mendenhall has a bit of a history with Oregon.

As a player, he competed for two seasons at Oregon State (1986-87), which is the Ducks' archrival (the rivalry is known as "The Civil War"). Later, he was a graduate assistant for two seasons with the Beavers (1989-90) and an assistant coach there for two more (1995-96).

In his career, he's faced Oregon six times. But his involvement in that rivalry happened a long time ago.

"It doesn't have the same meaning for me as it did when I was at Oregon State," Mendenhall said. "What I remember was, when I played at Oregon State both programs were struggling. That was right before both programs turned. I know (Oregon) coach (Mike) Bellotti has done a fantastic job. They've gained national respectability and prominence through consistently playing at a high level."

Mendenhall said the rivalry between Oregon and Oregon State is enormously important in that state.

"It has always been the same. 'The Civil War,' even when both teams were struggling was a huge thing. Now that both teams are playing well, it's a big deal. Being part of that was a really special experience. It's similar, not identical, but similar to what goes on in this state between BYU and Utah."

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