From Deseret News archives:
BYU football: Cougars' November road success about to be tested
Since 2005, the Cougars have won 10 consecutive games, including six straight on the road, and boast a 12-1 record in November (13-1 if you count last year's victory at San Diego State on Dec. 1). That, in part, explains why BYU has won back-to-back outright Mountain West Conference championships.
With two crucial road games ahead — at Air Force on Saturday and at Utah the following week — the Cougars' November Reign is about to be severely tested.
Many of those victories piled up during this 10-game November winning streak have come against teams with losing records, meaning that the Falcons (8-2 overall) and the No. 8 Utes (10-0) could be the two best opponents BYU has faced in the month of November in Mendenhall's tenure.
Air Force presents the triple-option attack, while arch-rival Utah has its sights set on a BCS berth. Both teams are also vying for an MWC championship.
The last time the Cougars dropped a game in November was in 2005, when they fell to Utah, 41-34, in overtime at home. The last time BYU lost a November road contest was in 2004, when it got drubbed by the BCS-busting Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium, 52-21.
Those two outcomes aside, why in recent years has BYU been so successful late in the season?
"Our team kind of prides itself on getting better as the season goes along and gaining momentum instead of losing momentum," said quarterback Max Hall. "Obviously, we have a loss (to TCU in October), but since then, I think we've gained momentum. When it comes down to crunch time in conference play, we want to play well."
"We mature throughout the year. By this time, everyone knows their assignments and we go out and perform them," said linebacker David Nixon. "We pride ourselves in knowing that this time of year, we pull away from our competition. It comes through preparation and study. This week (against Air Force) is humongous for us. All that's going to have to come into play with preparation and film time. It's essential."
Mendenhall said his players understand what's at stake and what they need to do to keep winning in November.
"This particular team, when you look at what lies ahead of them, with two more road games against two good opponents, will be optimistic and excited and anxious to go play," he said. "I think they recognize also that there will be significant challenges. I don't think you can play well, or handle November well, unless you know exactly where you are.
"Our team realizes they have to improve to perform well enough to win this week and then possibly the week after. I like where they sit in terms of their mindset because they don't think they've arrived."
