The BYU football team held a fireside for nearly 1,700 members of the Boise area Wednesday night, with video being streamed to 12 other buildings in the area.

Those in attendance heard spritual messages from receivers and brothers Marcus and Mitch Mathews. Marcus spoke about gaining the proper perspective on life and set the tone for the meeting. His brother Mitch spoke about battling through ups and downs and bore testimony of the Savior.

Two musical numbers were shared, one by several polynesian members of the team singing Nearer My God To Thee and another with the majority of the team singing We'll Bring the World His Truth.

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall spoke about The Book of Mormon and the power that it holds. He shared his story of how he gained a testimony and the blessings of The Book of Mormon.

President Cecil O. Samuelson was also at the fireside and gave a brief closing testimony.

Following the meeting players stayed behind to visit with members and fans who came to support them.

Day 1 of the Hero Ride for the Holly & Bronco Mendenhall Foundation kicked off yesterday with 87 riders congregating at the football team's practice field and making the first leg of the trip to LaVell Edwards Stadium. 

Nearly every single rider made the trip to LaVell Edwards Stadium before the more experienced riders continued on to complete the first day of the ride in Brigham City, Utah. Click here to see a map of the first day. 

Flat tires and minor crashes didn't deter the riders as they arrived in Brigham City at 2 a.m. to rest for the night and get up this morning for Day 2's journey into Burley, Idaho. Click here to see a map of the second day.

Day 3: Burley, Idaho to Glenns Ferry, Idaho

Day 4, Part I: Glenns Ferry, Idaho to Indian Creek, Idaho

Day 5, Part II: Lucky Peak, Idaho to Boise State Stadium

"Like" the Hero Ride 2012 Facebook page for pictures and other updates.

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall, his wife, Holly, and members of the BYU football team will participate in an hour-long devotional Friday at 7 p.m. at Assembly Hall at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.

With both players and coaches involved, speakers at the fireside will talk about the meaning of discipleship and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. A special musical number will be performed by members of the team as well. Messages will focus on how we should seek to follow the Savior’s example in all aspects of our life, and as we do so, we can come to a clear understanding of our purpose here on earth.

The BYU football team has been holding regular firesides throughout the football season since the Cougars’ trip to New Mexico during the 2005 season.

Following is a list of fireside dates and the locations for each fireside during the 2012 season. All firesides are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. local time.
 

2012 Fireside Schedule

Friday, Sept. 14 (Utah)
Assembly Hall
Temple Square, Downtown
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Wednesday, Sept. 19 (Boise State)
Meridian East Stake Center
11443 McMillan Road
Boise, ID 83713

Thursday, Sept. 27 (Hawai'i)
Provo Wasatch Stake Center
1625 South Slate Canyon Drive
Provo, UT 84601

Friday, Oct. 12 (Oregon State)
Spanish Fork Stake Center
1006 East 200 South
Spanish Fork, UT 84660

Friday, Oct. 19 (Notre Dame)
Michigan City Branch Building
402 East Coolspring Avenue
Michigan City, IN 46360

Friday, Oct. 26 (Georgia Tech)
Brockett Ward Building
1974 Brockett Road
Tucker, GA 30084

Friday, Nov. 16 (San Jose State)
San Jose South Stake Center
5700 Comanche Drive
San Jose, CA 95123

Friday, Nov. 23 (New Mexico State)
El Paso Stake Center
1212 Sumac Drive
El Paso, TX 79925

Our next "Up Close" senior spotlight is No. 96 Reed Hornung, BYU's deep snapper from Anoka, Minn.

Favorite cold cereal: Cap’n Crunch

Favorite Bronco Mendenhall Quote: “There are two ways to lose, you die or quit.”

Before a football game, I: Listen to my i-Pod and walk around the field.

How did I spend my off-season: I don’t have an “off” season.

Who is the best player I’ve ever faced: Michael Floyd.

What would I like to do sometime in my life: Go skydiving.

If I could play another position, what would it be: Linebacker.

Who has had the greatest influence on my football career: Both my parents and my high school coach.

What do I want to be doing 20 years from now: Living the American dream.

How did I select my jersey number: Its the best number in football.

What is my favorite hobby or activity away from football: Golfing and fishing.

What is the best book I’ve ever read: The Message.

People say I look like: Brandon Weedon.

What is my most memorable athletic achievement: Being a scholarship athlete at BYU.

My favorite scripture: Omni 1:26.

My favorite website: www.espn.com.

My advice to youngsters: Don’t let others define you, define yourself.

One rule I’d change in college football is: Helmet to helmet.

On game day my friends and relatives: All text me before and after the game.

BYU advanced to 2-0 on the season as it defeated Weber State, 45-13, at LaVell Edwards Stadium. 

In the fourth quarter, senior quarterback James Lark ran six yards for six points, his first career rushing touchdown. Freshman quarterback Taysom Hill also contributed to the scoreboard on a 1-yard run with 3:34 left to play in the game. Three different Cougar quarterbacks scored in today's game.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall is now 30-2 when his team scores more than 40 points. The Cougars picked up over 533 yards of total offense. 

BYU's special teams continued to make big plays. In the first minute of the final quarter, the Cougars tackled the Wildcat punter as he was attempting to kick the ball which gave BYU the ball on the Weber St. 23-yard line.

The Wildcats scored their second touchdown in the last minute of the game on a one-yard rush by running back Kris Parham to cap a 77-yard drive.

To see pictures of the game, click here. 

During the third quarter, BYU scored a touchdown and a field goal while Weber State prevented a shutout with a one-yard rushing touchdown to bring the game score to 31-6. The Wildcats scored on a 75-yard drive, the first touchdown allowed by BYU this season. Immediately after the score, BYU blocked Weber State's PAT.

Senior quarterback James Lark took the field to start the second half and quickly recorded his first career touchdown pass three minutes into the third quarter on a 2-yard completion to tight end Kaneakua Friel. Friel has caught three touchdown passes this season, each coming from a diffferent quarterback.  

Pictures from the first three quarter can be seen here.

With one half of play in the books at LaVell Edwards Stadium, BYU maintains its lead over in-state opponent, Weber State, 21-0. The Cougars scored two touchdowns in the second quarter while keeping the Wildcats scoreless again. 

The half ended with BYU's defnese stopping a last-second drive by Weber State as linebacker Uona Kaveinga recovered a fumble.

BYU scored its second touchdown of the game at the 13:12 mark of the second quarter. Backup quarterback Taysom Hill ran 2 yards from the Wildcat formation for six points, even as a defender grabbed his facemask. 

The third touchdown of the day was capped by an 8-yard rush by junior Michael Alisa. The balanced scoring drive consisted of four rushes and four passes. BYU junior Richard Wilson accounted for one of those completions as he hauled in a 32-yard pass, his fist catch since October 15, 2011. Wilson missed the majority of last season with a knee injury.

After missing most of last game, junior Cody Hoffman is making his mark in this game with six receptions for 110 yards in just the first half.

Weber State's punter, who normally kicks with his right foot, kicked one punt with his left foot after receiving a lot of pressure from BYU's special team's defense.

Pictures from the game can be seen here.

After one quarter of play at LaVell Edwards Stadium, BYU leads Weber State, 7-0, thanks to a 37-yard catch by junior Cody Hoffman.  

Senior quarterback Riley Nelson threw a deep pass to Hoffman, who jumped over his defender to catch the ball and quickly sped into the endzone. Hoffman now holds a 21-game streak of snagging at least one reception.

Both teams have had a strong defensive presence in the first quarter. Each team has recovered a fumble.

Pictures of the first quarter can be seen here.