Just wanted to give everyone a heads up that Player Chats are back by popular demand. With the season beginning, things got a little hectic with scheduling, but we will now be having scheduled player chats every Tuesday.

This weeks chat will be with Defensive Back, Scott Johnson.

Visit the Player Chat page by clicking on the link below to submit your questions for Scott early, or tune into the chat page at 1:20 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 23 to submit your questions and participate in the chat.

Click Here to Submit Questions for Scott.

The football team held its weekly fireside for members from Highland, American Fork and Pleasant Grove stakes on Friday night. The American Fork Tabernacle was packed on the eve of the Cougars’ Mountain West Conference opener against Wyoming, as people came to hear the team address its theme, “Being a Disciple of Christ”.

The night began with a talk by Spencer Hafoka. The freshman wide receiver recently returned home from a mission to Ventura, California. Hafoka shared his thoughts on what it truly means to be a “receiver”—as it relates to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He pinpointed four characteristics of a good receiver: fast, quick, strong and good hands. Hafoka read a poem entitled “It Depends Whose Hands It’s In”. A link to the poem can be found HERE.

Following Hafoka was a musical number presented by Max Hall, Fui Vakapuna, Matt Bauman, Bryan Kariya, Brenden Gaskins, Scott Johnson and Reed White. The group sang “How Firm A Foundation”.

Quarterback Stephen Covey also shared his thoughts on discipleship. The redshirt freshman from Provo, Utah focused on overcoming trials and hardships in life.

“Becoming a disciple of Christ requires a lot of stretching,” he said. “It’s during these times that we can truly become friends with God.”

White accompanied the team as it sang “Called to Serve,” before Holly Mendenhall, the wife of head coach Bronco Mendenhall, took the stand. Holly challenged those in attendance to realize the small decisions they make in their lives are what will impact future, bigger decisions.

“It’s the small things we do that show whether we are true disciples or not,” she said.

Coach Mendenhall closed the meeting with a few thoughts and experiences. He shared the message which was presented earlier this week in a team meeting by defensive back Brandon Howard about the “Pride Cycle”, and the dangers which lie ahead for those who do not humble themselves. Mendenhall also told of a powerful experience he witnessed last week when the team collectively sang, “Called to Serve” to a young man who signed a letter of intent with BYU, but decided to serve an LDS mission before entering the program. The team sang for that young man as he prepared to enter the Missionary Training Center the following day. Mendenhall said all of these experiences show that this team is focused on more than just football.

Quoting the words of Gordon B. Hinckley, the former president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mendenhall said, “The mission of the Church is to stand as an ensign to the nations and light to the world." He added by saying, "The greatest part of this job is what we get to represent.”

Max Hall visiting with fans and signing autographs following the fireside.

Defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen.

Just a reminder to come check out the pre-game fireside happening tonight (Sept. 19, 2008). Players from the football team will focus their attention to spiritual matters in preparation for tomorrow's game against Wyoming. There will be music and spoken word. This week's featured speakers will be wide receiver, Spencer Hafoka and quarterback, Stephen Covey. Come enjoy and join in the spiritual mission of the BYU football program.

American Fork Tabernacle; 7 p.m. (MT)

110 E. Main Street

American Fork, Utah

BYU recognized Evan Gardener, a 39-year-old from American Fork, as Thursday’s Hero earlier this evening. Up until a year ago, life was normal as Gardener was working as a tax accountant for BYU; but soon he and his family would undergo a life-changing event.

Gardener was diagnosed with a stage-four malignant brain tumor the size of a walnut in the middle of his brain, making it inoperable. The doctors gave him 11 months to live and 13 months later he’s standing on the sidelines watching the Cougar football team practice.

Gardener has gone through nine months of chemotherapy and for the past six weeks has been receiving radiation treatments every other week. He is unable to work and has vision, mobility and memory impairments.

Being Thursday’s Hero, Gardener was given a flag and poster signed by the team. Present with him were his wife and two children, who are just as big BYU fans as he is.

Following the presentation, the team held its traditional Thursday Night Football.

Weekly Fireside

Prior to its game against Wyoming, the team will hold a fireside at 7 p.m. Friday night. This week's fireside will be at the American Fork Tabernacle at 110 E. Main Street.

Player Chat

After a few weeks off, we have resumed player chats here on www.byucougars.com. Every Wednesday throughout the remainder of the season a member of the team will be available to answer questions from the fans. Our first chat of the season will be with junior defensive back Scott Johnson. Scott's chat will take place at 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23. Don't forget to submit your questions!

This week BYU football has been the topic of many national news outlets. Among the media interviews granted this week include the following:

Monday

ESPN First Take, BYU quarterback Max Hall

– Aired at 9:35 a.m. MT

ESPN Radio, live with Doug Gottlieb and Joe Schad, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall

- Aired at 7 p.m. MT

Tuesday

ESPNews College Football Overdrive, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall

- Airs at 11:30 a.m. MT

SportingNews Radio, The Monty Show, syndicated nationally, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall

- Airs during Tuesday show, 2-5 MT (likely between 3-4 p.m. MT)

- Link to listen online ... SportingNews Radio

Wednesday

The Jim Rome Show, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall

- Airs at 11:05 a.m. MT

- Click to listen online

Saturday

ESPN College GameDay, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall

Fall camp so far has been a lot better for me than it was last year for a lot of different reasons. One being that my knee has felt a lot better, I feel my confidence is better than it was because I can use my knee how I need to. I think the main reason this season has seemed so much different has been because I have done a lot better at allowing my Heavenly Farther to be a larger part in all aspects of my life. I’ve been doing a lot better with my own personal spiritual uplifting, and it has helped me to be more focused in my commitments to the religious aspects of my life as well as my commitments to football. I have been able to rely more on my Heavenly Farther in playing football and not just on my own gifts, and abilities. I know that those gifts and abilities come from him and I thank him for what he has blessed me with.

Visit Brandon's bio page here.

BYU-Washington Television Broadcast Information

Whenever we play on Fox Sports Net (FSN), which is the case this coming weekend at Washington, we get a lot of questions about where fans can watch the game. Following is a list of where local fans will be able to watch the game, based on their satellite or cable provider.

BYU Cable - The game will not be available.

iProvo - The game will be broadcast on FSN, Ch. 30

Comcast - The game will broadcast on FSN Ch. 52 and FCS Ch. 263

Spanish Fork Cable - The game will be broadcast on FSN, Ch. 23

DirecTV - The game will be broadcast on the following channels:

FSN 637

FSN 639

CSNBA 654

FSN 652

FSN 651

FSN 636

FSN 628

FSN 645

FSN 645

FSN 647

FSN 651.1

FSN 643

FSN 649

FSN 646

CSNHD 620.1

FSN 663

FSN 648

FSN NY 624

CSN 620

FSNHD 653.1

FSAZHD 649.1

Dish Network - The game will be broadcast on the following channels:

MSGP 413

CSNBA 419

CSN 435

FSN 414

FSN 416

FSN 425

FSN 417

FSN 428

FSN 430

FSN 415

FSN 418

FSN 426

Be sure to check your local listing for your cable or satellite provider lineup.

Thursday's Hero

This afternoon after practice, the team had the special opportunity to meet Will Alderman from Park City, Utah. Will, who is two years old, is a special young man who battles nueroendocrine hyperplasia -- a lung diseases that restricts lung capacity.

Will had the opportunity to make his mark on the team flag that will be carried on to the field during Saturday's game.

Coach Mendenhall presented Will with a team coin.

Will got to meet each member of the team.

Thursday Night Football

Tonight was the first night for the annual Thursday Night football game between members of the scout teams. Running back Tucker Lamb had a notable performance, scoring two touchdowns. Lamb was also credited with a long run of nearly 50 yards that gave the offense a first and goal. Two plays later, B.J. Peterson scored on an outstanding catch.

Tucker Lamb scores his first of two touchdowns.

Lamb scores touchdown no. 2.

Following the scrimmage, Coach Mendenhall the scout team that Thursday Night football is an opportunity for players to show the coaching staff if they had heart, if they were prepared and if they could be trusted. He also pointed out to the players that all of the veteran players were watching along the sidelines. He said they were also watching for many of the same reasons.

Countdown to Kickoff

Practice Photos

After practice, Coach Mendenhall told the media that the team is ready to play.

"I think our guys are ready," he said. "Right now, a game is what our team needs to improve and grow."

Where there are two or more guys battling for playing time, Coach clarified what it would take for one player to beat out another.

"We're looking for who we can really trust. Whoever is the most trustworthy will play.

Asked if he was nervous, Coach said, "I'm not nervous yet. Right now, I see the things we need to improve. That window is closing. I enjoy the day-to-day preparation a lot -- more than the actual game day."

Countdown to Kickoff

Weekly Press Conference

Photos by Mark Philbrick, BYU Photo Services

We held the first of our weekly press conferences this morning. You can listen to Coach Mendenhall's remarks on our website. We have the video and we will have the transcript available shortly.

Senior captains Travis Bright and David Nixon also participated in the weekly press conference.

Sticker Day

After Monday's practice, players were able to pick up their first helmet stickers of the season. Players received gold stickers for activities accomplished away from the field, including community service, academics and participating in firesides, etc. In addition, some of the players received blue stickers for goals accomplished on the field during fall camp.