Cougs lay foundation for future

LAS VEGAS — Amid the bedlam that ensued on the field at Sam Boyd Stadium Thursday night after BYU's 38-8 rout of Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl, BYU senior wide receiver Zac Collie's thoughts turned to the future.

Not his future, but the Cougars'.

No. 19 BYU had just extended its winning streak to 10 games and capped an 11-win season. The Mountain West Conference-champion Cougars' had just secured their first bowl victory in 10 years and their most dominating bowl triumph in school history.

So where does BYU go from here?

"Our goals," Collie said, surveying the fans who had stormed the field to celebrate, "will have to get bigger."

Bigger? What can the Cougars do for an encore next year?

Wasn't it just five months ago that BYU convened for fall camp not having tasted a winning season, a conference title or a win over Utah since 2001?

Well, the Cougars shattered all those barriers in 2006 — posting double-digit victories; earning an outright conference title with an 8-0 record; and earning a dramatic, come-from-behind win at Utah. Plus, the Cougars erased a decadelong bowl-win drought.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall enjoyed the talent and leadership of a special senior class that rebounded from the lowest lows to achieve the highest highs in their careers.

What will this recently completed season do for the Cougars next season and beyond?

"It will serve as a great motivational tool," Mendenhall said Thursday. "What these players have done is establish a whole new mindset. They won't be satisfied. They'll ask, 'What's next?' Tonight was another step in our evolution of returning to where this football program needs to be. We showed that (in the Las Vegas Bowl)."

Collie believes that the Las Vegas Bowl walloping of Oregon will carry over into off-season workouts, spring ball and the 2007 campaign.

"Last year, we were motivated after losing to Cal in the Las Vegas Bowl to work harder, to get bigger, faster and stronger," he said. "It motivated us all season long. That's what this win tonight, and this whole season, will do for this program next year. We'll keep getting better."

In the meantime, the Cougars will have to replace a passel of standout seniors.