Deseret News | BYU football: Great expectations, mediocre results

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BYU football: Great expectations, mediocre results

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Coaching Change | 8:30 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Bronco is two lucky plays from being 0-4 against Utah. How would that sound to everyone? I have observed and know some of the best college coaches in the country and there is not one who never shows emotion like Bronco. It is OK to high five a player after a great play or yell at player when they make a bonehead play. that is what college coaches do....they coach instead of just listening to a head set all game.

Re: TexasGuy in Utah | 6:24 p.m. | 8:29 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Few posts are worth the reading much less writing a comment. This one however, is commendable. Thank you for sharing your clear and accurate perspective.

montanacutter2 | 8:44 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

BYU needs to look at a more mobile QB. Hall is a slug in the pocket and does not protect the ball well. The O line is large but not effective with pass protection or blocking for the run.

The run game is not even there. Big backs big O line should produce effective running game.

A lot to think about during the off season BYU.

Take a look at Utah's approch to offence mobile.

Comments continue below

Headset | 9:37 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Ever wondered what Bronco is listening to on the headset he wears? I'm just asking because he seems to be falling asleep during the game.

truth | 10:37 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

let's just say it like it really is: BYU only beat ONE decent team this whole year (Air Force). And then they got killed by 2 really good teams (Utah and TCU), and killed by 1 half-decent one (Arizona). The need to not only strengthen their schedule, but they also need to actually beat a good team before they make such lofty goals. Instead of the QUEST FOR PERFECTION, how about THE QUEST TO BEAT A GOOD TEAM???

If they play Oklahoma, I predict they lose 69-7, so I would not start the season that way if I were Bronco.

PapaChops | 10:40 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Just to clear one thing up. While yes, I will admit that BYU has had a rather respectable record. Does anyone else remember that article that was posted 'bout the top Non-BCS schools against BCS teams?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe BYU was ranked below the U. Says a lot 'bout Utah being "unable" to play ball with the big boys.

Needs Emotion | 10:51 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Come on Bronco, enough of the stoic looks and comments! Get with it, show some emotion. Your team was an utter disappointment to all their fans and they need to know that! You need to get after them and show disappointment when the let us down and show confidence when they rise to the occasion. If I was on your team I would be frustrated that it seems you are indifferent. You are not a competitor, you have no fire, and your team plays like it. You have one more season before you lose me as a fan! Go COUGS!

Reality93111 | 11:01 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

1984 was a fluke and will never happen again. Florida State and ASU will expose the BYU shortcoming in terms of athleticism next year. The Quest continues in vain...

Utah Fan | 11:17 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

On the hill, we started the year with mediocre expectations and got great results.

You're welcome, Cougar fans (for helping you get set up with the same winning formula for 2009).

Re: BYU fan 10:41 a.m. | 11:22 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

bjdoc | 1:12 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008

no I am not kidding. Just listen to the fans calling for killing the quarterback. The entire focus of the game is to destroy to opposition, not out play them.
Consider the time spent in the huddle discussing the cheer leaders. Consider the limited amount of time actually playing ball. Consider the fact that no orthopedic training sessions are held during the football season. Not one would consider leaving their practice during the most productive months of their practice. Yes, I am very serious, stop football, start international football.

Cougar Asking Why? | 6:06 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008

There have been several very accurate and unfortunately several mindless repetitive comments. They range from too predictable offensive and defensive schemes to why don't we change the to Honor Code at BYU to aid recruitment.
WHOA! We are a church based university. That is not going to change. I am very proud of the school and a loyal Cougar alumni and fan.

However, if there isn't an attitude adjustment regarding thinking out of the box future opposing teams will only gain momentum in dissecting our over pass happy, never check-off to other receivers
offensive play calling. Ball security must be a focus. We must use our strength to run forward when we don't have the overall speed to run sweeps, except for Austin Collie in a limited role.

It was difficult to watch in LV when AZ repeatedly had the time to pick apart poor DB and Linebacker coverage. If we were going to be defensively beat anyway why did we not mix it up a bit and put some pressure on the opposing QB more often.

Goals are great. Team unity is mandatory. Using all the talent available creates player buy-in. 3 seasons, 32-7! Great. Tomorrow represent youselves well.

Quest for perfection | 10:32 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008

Why all the derision for the quest for perfection?? Why is that arrogant? Can a Ute fan who makes fun of the Cougars and tells them to eat humble pie explain how that is arrogant? Do any of you even have goals? The Cougars thought that they had a chance to go undefeated, so did several teams. They wanted to make it their motto...big deal. Why is it bad to have high expectations? They weren't putting "themselves on a pedestal" by saying they had a "quest" (or in other words a goal) to have a perfect season. Why would you set a goal to be mediocre. Great teams set high goals and work to achieve them. They fell short, why do we laugh at that? Please explain this to me without your blind bigotry getting in the way.

Anonymous | 10:38 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008

I read an article in the paper that the cougars and Oklahoma are probably going to play a game in arlington in Jerry Jones new staduim next season. If this is true please Bronco with your remaining schollies please get some speed fron the JC RANKS OR where ever you can get it! Oklahoma with literally destroy you with the players you have now. If you can show well and popssibly upset them this will help your recruiting with the bevy of talent thats in that State.In fact why are'nt you recuiting thier now?? Where do you think TCU and Utah get thier speed? Look at thier rosters. THEY ARE NOT FILLED WITH uTAH KIDS LIKE OURS IS. dOES THAT GIVE YOU SOME HINT OF THE ATHLETIISM THAT IS NEEDED??

recruiting | 11:13 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008

BYU GETS REALLY A GOOD ATHLETE NEXT YEAR FROM ST. GEORGE WHO HAS SPEED ON TOP OF SPEED BROKE STATE RECORDS IN HIGH JUMP AS WELL. NAME ADAM TIMO HE BETTER START NEXT YEAR IF THEY WANT A FASTER MORE ATHLETIC TEAM

Pocatello Cougar | 11:20 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008

C'mon Jeff, a 10-3 season - under any circumstances - would have been a cause for celebration under Cougar legend LaVell Edwards, and Gary Crowton's job would have been saved with another 10 win season.

It was a wonderful year!

We were very skeptical of a defense that lost virtually everyone, and we were right; those 11 scoreless quarters early in the season were an anomaly.

The Cougars, because they are part of BYU and therefore a unique situation in all regards, will never be a team high in the polls in football and will never go deep in the NCAA tournament. The team is composed of a lot of good but not great players.

In other words, they can never be more than what they are, a very good team that sometimes overachieves.

Shouldn't we be saying, "Wow, in spite of that missionary revolving door, and in spite of not being able to bring in the top recruits in America because they are 1)degenerates and 2)African Americans afraid of being out of place in Provo, Bronco Mendenhall nonetheless has gone 32-7 in the last three years."

I will be thrilled if Bronco goes 9-3 from now on.

Really.

RE Question... | 12:29 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008

I have to believe that Bronco is just a mouth peice when it comes to the priorities set below.

1. Faith
2. Family
3. Knowledge
4. Friends
5. Football

The church will not be emmbarassed again.

Media | 12:40 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008

"BYU football: Great expectations, mediocre results"

Media set the expectations with poor reporting, then claims 10-3 is mediocre when BYU does not rais to their expectations.

Maybe you should go back to reporting facts, and not have you headline be so arbitrary and biased.

Bobby | 4:06 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008

Only a good season BYU, but hang in there. The team and coaches probably feel worse than anyone, and hopefully they will learn and move on. Some suggestions:
1) Broncho and the team need some fire. Either bag the football program, or realize it is not Priesthood meeting--players need to get ready to kick butt like other teams do. Doesn't mean you have to play dirty.
2) Until we can baptise some more speed, the 2ndary will always be less than adequate.
3) What's with the stupid penalties??? Even at the end of the season???? That is coaching and mental errors.
4) Tired of hearing how huge the 0-line is. Either back up the beef with results against teams who actually blitz with speed, or shut up about it.
5) Use Unga and Vakapuna for their talents! Not sweeps!! Hard, up front dives, traps, draws, blocking, counters, even screens for all the blitzes!!!!!! They run over everyone if there is some blocking up front.
6) Enough bashing----Broncho is a quality guy, and the team wants to win. Now they just have to put in what it takes to win the IMPORTANT GAMES, not just the easy ones!!!!

BYU tradition | 4:27 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008

This year's only disappointing because we're such a dominant program. Keep the compliments coming. We'll see you all next year.

Re: RE Question... | 12:29 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

"I have to believe that Bronco is just a mouth peice when it comes to the priorities set below.

1. Faith
2. Family
3. Knowledge
4. Friends
5. Football

The church will not be emmbarassed again."

Mendenhall is being directed to insert this into his program? If that is true, he is going to be the front man for A LOT of criticism for losing games because his team is playing like football is a zero priority.

In addition, it give Mendenhall ample room for not taking action for mistakes on and off the field. Fewer practices, no focus, no discipline, no accountability. Sounds like the making of a future train wreck.

Someone certainly needs to be mature enough to take responsibility for the shift in priorities. If this is a unilateral decision by Mendenhall, he should communicate it to his fans and stake holders. If fans and stakeholders buy into it, Mendenhall will be collecting a big pay check with every excuse he needs to be lazy and not do his job.

Don't you think that someone ought to take ownership and responsibility for this and explain the objective to the fans?

Blueman | 12:10 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Big BYU fan. It's hard taking a back seat this year, but BYU must learn from this. They the coaches did a poor job of preparation for the big games, and Robert Anae's play calling stinks. Yes thats right ask Harvey Unga how he feels about it! WE NEED ATHLETES! We are slow! Max Hall showed us how over rated he is also. Eat some humble pie BYU and get some speed for next year please! Have a humble attitude and yes the quest for perfection was stupid Bronco. Your going to need it with likes of Oklahoma on the schedule,Florida State, Arizona State. Tom Holmoe you just screwed up our chance for BCS with the late Oklahoma entry. We will get bombed! Yes folks we are probably going to get that game in Jerry Jones backyard nice one Holmoe! What were you thinking?? Anyway back to recruiting which looks mediocre at best. Just look at rivals.com and we are 55th right now. TCU is 37th, and Utah is 43rd. So here we go again no athletes are on the horizon that I can see. Utah basically has another Brian Johnson coming in from Texas a 4 star! Athletes please!

The Truth | 12:16 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

BYU was just fine, first half of the season, when their defensive secondary was performing and their offensive line was not allowing sacks. Max Hall is a good not great QB. Obviously he turned in to a girl scout during the Utah game, he would even admit that. He was the sole reason they lost. No one else had a chance to mess up because of him. The other two losses were the fault of defensive secondary and the incredibly underachieving offensive line. He was trying not to get sacked all game in both games. He made one bad throw that was off 1-2 yards that was picked, but also had a touchdown dropped with AZ. Of course Mitch Payne gets a solid thank you for choking with AZ. Honorable mention goes to another splendid huge mistake by the infamous Pac-10 officials.
They obviously have many pieces to be great but need a better secondary and offensive line.

Wise Man | 1:34 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Peace and happiness to all sports fans everywhere.

Anonymous | 5:36 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Wait Arizona has a football team?? i would have never known...

JW BYU Fan | 10:20 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

I am proud of these young men for their effort and for the season. I am disappointed as a fan that we lost to two good teams and got beat by a mediocre Arizona team. There is plenty of opportunity to be better and the great news is that is from a program that has won at 10 games the last 3 seasons. For the Utes I am glad they have an opportunity to play in the BCS and wish them well (Ute fans should all be sending Christmas cards to the TCU kicker for my one barb). I know we cannot kick to ball either missing three field goals absolutely killed us against U of A. The Utes do play well in the post season and expect them to show up against Alabama.

JWBYU Fan | 10:22 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Part 2

Do not forget we still have nothing more than a beauty contest until we have a playoff system and ya it would be great to go to a BCS scam game I admit it. Money does rule this gig leave no doubt. Just look at the ACC as a BCS conference. One of reasons the Utes and Boise even got the chance for a BCS shot is when a very very good 13 and 1 BYU team was shut out when they were a lock solid 5th in the county and went on to win the cotton bowl for the first team to win 14 games in a season. Oh and we do have a national Championship as well. I was a consensus from the polls as I recall. Ya ya it was a beauty contest then as well..

blueman | 10:15 a.m. Dec. 26, 2008

Bronco I read an article in the tribune today that you just need ball security and the players to carry out thier assignments. Nothing could be farther from the truth, you were exposed for who you really are. No speed!! Go get some speed and athletes. Your defensive scheme stinks without the athletes. The two JC kids are a question in my mind because they are not even on the radar screen as far as ranking by rivals.com which is the true barometer for evaluation. TCU, AND UTAH are out recruiting you. BYU fans look for a 4 to six loss season next year with the schedule we have. We have no speed! Do you think your going to compete with FSU, and OU WITH WHAT WE HAVE?? For that matter TCU, and Utah. You need to get out of your comfort zone and get some athletes that can compete instead of recruiting Timpview H.S.

Anonymous | 2:46 p.m. Dec. 26, 2008

BYU would be fun to watch if they weren't infected with the same arrogance that members of the LDS Church at large are infected with!

bjdoc425 | 6:13 a.m. Oct. 25, 2009

With the tragic loss to TCU it is now time for BYU to follow BYU-Idaho, and drop the inhumane sport of American Football from their athletic program.
It is high time that the stadium be returned to students first, and only sell empty seats the day before the games to interested outside viewers of the new sport of international football.

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