ALBUQUERQUE — BYU is hoping this will be a November to remember.

The Cougars, who are getting set to take on winless New Mexico on Saturday, are 14-2 in this month under coach Bronco Mendenhall.

Both losses have come against arch-rival Utah, in 2005 and 2008.

Asked about his teams' success in November, Mendenhall said, "We err on the side of maybe not as much contact (in practice). There's a tradeoff there. It can hurt you ... What I believe is at the end of the season, you'll be fresher than your opponent and that will make a difference and more eager to play."

Mendenhall said his team has not practiced in full pads since two-a-days way back in August.

"But we've gone in shells (partial pads) more than we did a year ago. The players like it more. They think it's helping with their pad level. We have practiced more physically than we have the past three years."

After Saturday's game against the Lobos, BYU hosts Air Force, then entertains the Utes to close the regular-season.

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