BYU football: Cougars bounced back from loss to TCU

PROVO — For the second straight year, BYU's football season was defined by a humiliating loss to TCU.

In 2008, the Cougars were crushed by the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth, and they struggled the rest of the way, including a defeat to Utah and a setback to Arizona in the Las Vegas Bowl.

So when BYU suffered another big loss to TCU — 38-7 at home on Oct. 24 right after ESPN College GameDay's first appearance in Provo — instead of wallowing in disappointment, the Cougars were galvanized by the defeat and drew upon it as motivation.

"The seniors got together after the TCU loss and we talked with the team about how we wanted the rest of the season to go," said quarterback Max Hall.

How did the rest of the season go? Well, No. 15 BYU won its final five games, including victories over Air Force, Utah, and an impressive 44-20 triumph over Oregon State last week in the Las Vegas Bowl. Depending on the results of other bowl games, the Cougars could achieve their first Top 10 finish since 1996 when the final polls are released on Jan. 8.

Hall believes that strong finish could serve as a springboard for the returning players and the newcomers in the program. Heading into the 2010 campaign, BYU will have to replace a host of veterans who have been instrumental in posting a 43-9 mark over the past four seasons.

"We just want to keep getting better. We want BYU to be known as a great program, not just for great teams. I think it is that," Hall said. "I think we'll continue to improve and I think the future is bright. This win (over Oregon State) certainly will help those guys, a win that will be remembered for a long time."

Of course, when the Cougars officially reconvene again in March for the start of spring drills, the biggest storyline will surround the quarterbacks. BYU will have to replace Hall, a three-year starter who became the all-time winningest QB in school history.

This spring's quarterback battle will feature Riley Nelson, the Utah State transfer who backed up Hall this season; Jake Heaps, who was rated the No. 1 prep QB in the country by Scout.com and will enroll in January; and James Lark, the former Pine View star who recently returned home from his mission in Russia. By fall camp, another highly touted quarterback, Jason Munns, who is still on his mission, will be in the mix.

While quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman will miss Hall, he's excited by this scenario and challenge.

"For the last five years, we've worked hard on recruiting," he said. "Hopefully we'll reap the fruits of our labor this upcoming year with all these young guys coming in. They're very talented. We're in a great spot."