SPRING NOTES
-The Cougars return a total of 37 letter-winners this season, including six offensive starters and five defensive starters.
-Largely due to injury, the Cougars started two quarterbacks last season, including Matt Berry and John Beck. Both quarterbacks return this season and are expected to battle for the starting job. Both quarterbacks combined for 2,309 yards and 12 touchdown completions on the season.
-The BYU defense, which ranked 14th nationally in total defense returns four starters, including All-America candidates Brady Poppinga and Aaron Francisco. Poppinga posted 55 tackles last season, including a team leading six sacks. Francisco led the Cougars with 116 tackles, including a team high 53 solo takedowns.
-The BYU defense ranked eighth nationally in 2003 in pass defense, allowing just 176.17 yards per game.
-BYU fans can expect a dramatic resurgence in the Cougars' aerial attack in 2004. During the off-season, BYU coaches signed as many as seven receivers, including four with junior college experience. Entering Spring drills, the BYU roster lists 17 different receivers, including returning starters Chris Hale and Rod Wilkerson. Daniel Coats, the Cougars' starting tight end, also returns for his red-shirt sophomore season.
-During the off-season, the Cougars signed 28 new players, including 12 players with junior college and/or Division-IA experience.
-The 2004 schedule includes one of the toughest non-conference home schedules in recent memory. The Cougars will play host to defending national champion USC on Sept. 4, and will host Notre Dame on Oct. 30. Other home games include league match-ups against UNLV, Wyoming, San Diego State and New Mexico. The Cougars will travel for the first time to Boise State and Stanford in non-league action, and will face MWC opponents Air Force, Colorado State and Utah on the road.
-While the Cougars will spend three of the first four weeks of the season on the road, the team will spend six of the final seven weeks of the season in the state of Utah, including five home games and the season-finale at Utah.
-Three of the Cougars' 2004 opponents finished the 2003 season ranked among the top-25 teams in the country, as well as five opponents who played in bowl games last season.
-All-America candidate Matt Payne returns for his senior season. The 6-foot-4, 234-pound kicker/punter led the MWC and ranked among the nation's best last season, averaging 44.01 yards per punt. Payne was credited with 22 punts inside the 20-yardline. Payne connected on 14-of-18 field goal attempts, including 3-of-5 from over 50 yards and a perfect 2-for-2 from 40-49 yards. Payne was also 20-for-20 in PAT attempts.
-The 2004 season will see changes to the coaching staff, as well as specific coaching assignments. During the off-season, Coach Crowton hired Jeff Grimes from Arizona State to coach the offensive line, while Lance Reynolds, who had previously served as the offensive line coach, will now oversee coaching responsibilities for the running backs. Paul Tidwell, who has coached running backs since 2001, will now serve as the special teams coordinator. With quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Robbie Bosco accepting a position with the BYU athletics department, Coach Crowton has indicated he will work primarily with the quarterbacks and work with receivers coach Todd Bradford in coordinating the BYU offense.
UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
Location: Provo, Utah
Founded: Oct. 15, 1875
Elevation: 4,553 feet
Enrollment: 32,122 (daytime)
Nickname: Cougars
Mascot: Cosmo
Colors: Dark Blue, White and Tan
Stadium (Capacity): LaVell Edwards Stadium (64,045)
Surface: Natural Turf
Affiliation: NCAA Division I
Conference: Mountain West Conference
President: Cecil O. Samuelson (Utah, '66)
Men's AD: Q. Val Hale (BYU, '81)
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach (Alma Mater): Gary Crowton (BYU, '83)
Career Record/Years: 42-30 (.583); 6 years
BYU Record/Years: 21-17 (.553); 3 years
Assistant Head Coach: (Running Backs) Lance Reynolds (BYU, '80); 22nd Yr.
Asst. Coach (Def. Coord.; Safeties): Bronco Mendenhall (Ore. St., '89) 2nd Yr.
Asst. Coach (Off. Coord.; Receivers): Todd Bradford (So. Utah, '86); 2nd Yr.
Asst. Coach (Offensive Line): Jeff Grimes (UTEP, '91); 1st Yr.
Asst. Coach (Linebackers): Barry Lamb (Oregon, '78); 11th Yr.
Asst. Coach (Special Teams Coord.): Paul Tidwell (So. Utah, '79); 4th Yr.
Asst. Coach (Rec. Coord.;Tight Ends):Mike Empey (BYU, '94); 5th Yr.
Asst. Coach (Cornerbacks): Brian Mitchell (BYU, '95); 10th Yr.
Asst. Coach (Defensive Line): Steve Kaufusi (BYU, '94); 3rd Yr.
COUGAR FOOTBALL INFORMATION
2003 Overall Record:4-8
Final National Ranking:NR
2003 Conference Record:3-4
Final Conference Finish:6th
First Year of Football:1922
All-Time Record:451-353-26 (.559)
Conference Championships:22
Last Conference Championship:2001, MWC
Bowl Apperances: 23
Last Bowl Appearance: 2001, Liberty Bowl (Memphis, Tenn.)
PLAYER INFORMATION
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:37/32
Offensive Letterwinners Returning/Lost:20/15
Defensive Letterwinners Returning/Lost:16/16
Specialists Returning/Lost:1/1
Starters Returning/Lost:11/11
Off. Starters Returning/Lost:6/5
Def. Starters Returning/Lost:5/6
OFFENSIVE LETTERMEN RETURNING (20)
Aissac Aiono (TE), John Beck (QB), Matt Berry (QB), Jackson Brown (QB), Daniel Coats (TE), Brett Cooper (WR), Paul Fisher (OL), Jeremy Gillespie (TE), Chris Hale (WR), Eddie Keele (OL), Jason Kukahiko (WR), Jake Kuresa (OL), Gary McGiven (OL), Ofa Mohetau (OL), Todd Mortensen (QB), Philip Niu (TE), Fahu Tahi (FB), Hanale Vincent (OL), Marcus Whalen (RB), Rodney Wilkerson (WR)
OFFENSIVE LETTERMEN LOST (15)
Reynaldo Brathwaite (RB), David Christensen (WR), Quinn Christensen (OL), Toby Christensen (WR), Marc Hansen (WR), Scott Jackson (OL), Justin Jory (TE), Lance Pendleton (WR), Rob Robinson (OL), Ryan Slater (WR), Thomas Stancil (RB), Brandon Stephens (OL), Fui Vakapuna (FB-mission), Kyle Wilson (FB), Vincent Xanthos (OL)
DEFENSIVE LETTERMEN RETURNING (16)
Matt Ah You (LB), Micah Alba (DB), Bryant Atkinson (LB), KC Bills (LB), Manaia Brown (DL), Jon Burbidge (DB), Justin Carlson-Maddux (DL), John Denney (DL), Kellen Fowler (DB), Aaron Francisco (DB), O'Neil Howell (DB), Daniel Marquardt (DL), Brady Poppinga (DL), Nate Soelberg (DB), Spencer White (DB), Adney Reid (LB)
DEFENSIVE LETTERMEN LOST (16)
CJ Ah You (DL), James Allen (DB), Chad Barney (DB), Colby Bockwoldt (LB), Josh Brandon (DB), Brent Carlson (LB), Jernaro Gilford (DB), Corby Hodgkiss (DB-mission), Nathan Kolbaba (DL), Levi Madarieta (LB), Jared Meibos (DB), Kip Nielson (DB), David Nixon (LB-mission), Ifo Pili (DT), Mike Tanner (LB), Bill Wright (DL)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING (6)
Matt Berry (QB), Daniel Coats (TE), Chris Hale (WR), Jake Kuresa (OL), Fahu Tahi (FB), Rod Wilkerson (WR)
Others with starting experience include: Ofa Mohetau (OL), Eddie Keele (OL)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS LOST (5)
Reynaldo Brathwaite (RB), Quinn Christensen (OL), Toby Christensen (WR), Scott Jackson (OL), Brandon Stephens (OL)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING (5)
Jon Burbidge (DB), John Denney (DL), Aaron Francisco (DB), Daniel Marquardt (DL), Brady Poppinga (DL)
Others with starting experience include: Paul Walkenhorst (LB), Brandon Heaney (DB)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS LOST (6)
James Allen (DB), Chad Barney (DB), Colby Bockwoldt (LB), Jernaro Gilford (DB), Levi Madarieta (LB), Mike Tanner (LB)
ALL-AMERICA CANDIDATES
Aaron Francisco: S, 6-2, 206, Sr. (Laie, Hawaii / Kahuku HS) - 116 Tkls, 3 Int., 3 PBU, 2 QBH, 2FR
Brady Poppinga: DE, 6-3, 257, Sr. (Evanston, Wyo. / Evanston HS) - 55 Tkls, 6 Scks, 13 TFL, 1 Int, 1 QBH
Matt Payne: K/P, 6-4, 234, Sr. (North Ogden, Utah / Weber HS) - 44.0 avg., 67 long, 22 I-20, 20-20 PAT
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Matt Berry: 6-6, 225, Jr. (Redmond, Wash. / Eastlake HS) -- 235-147-14, 1445 yds, 7 TD
John Beck: 6-2, 202, So. (Mesa, Ariz. / Mountain View HS) -- 145-73-5, 864 yds, 5 TD
Curtis Brown: 6-0, 190, So. (Palmdale, Calif. / Paraclete HS) -- RS in 2003
Daniel Coats: 6-3, 249, So. (Layton, Utah / Northridge HS) -- 2003 TSN Freshman All-American; 30-378, 4TD
Jake Kuresa: 6-4, 350, So. (Millville, Utah / Mountain Crest HS)
Ofa Mohetau: 6-3, 355, So. (Euless, Texas / Trinity HS)
Marcus Whalen: 5-11, 213, Sr. (Waldorf, Md. / Thomas Stone HS) -- 918 yds in 2002, 6 TDs
Scott Young: 6-5, 312, Sr. (Salt Lake City, Utah / Dixie JC)
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bryant Atkinson: 6-3, 225, Jr. (Provo, Utah / Timpview HS) -- 14 Tkls, 2 TFL
K.C. Bills: 6-1, 220, So. (Littleton, Colo. / Arapahoe HS) -- 10 Tkls, 2 TFL, 2.0 Scks, 1 Sfty
John Denney: 6-6, 275, Sr. (Thornton, Colo. / Ricks JC) -- 42 Tkls, 6 TFL, 4.5 Scks, 2 Int.
Brandon Heaney: 5-11, 185, Sr. (Trabuco Hills, Calif. / Air Force Academy) -- INJ, 2003
Daniel Marquardt: 6-2, 315, Jr. (Vista, Calif. / Rancho Buena Vista HS) -- 17 Tkls, 1 TFL, 1.5 Scks
Paul Walkenhorst: 6-5, 252, Sr. (Highland, Utah / Lone Peak HS) -- INJ, 2003
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
Austin Collie: WR, 6-1, 185, Fr. (El Dorado Hills, Calif. / Oak Ridge HS)
Vince Feula: DL, 6-0, 300, Jr. (La Mirada, Calif. / Cerritos JC)
Gary Lovely: LB, 6-3, 195, So. (Los Altos Hills, Calif. / Foothill JC)
Greg Lovely: DB, 6-0, 180, So. (Los Altos Hills, Calif. / Foothill JC)
Justin Luettgerodt: LB, 240, Jr. (Gladstone, Ore. / Foothill JC)
Michael Morris: WR, 6-1, 190, Jr. (Shannon, Miss. / Itawamba CC)
Todd Watkins: WR, 6-3, 185, Jr. (San Diego, Calif. / Grossmont JC)
2004 POSITION BREAKDOWN
QUARTERBACKS - The BYU offense will benefit from having two experienced players competing for the starting quarterback position. Matt Berry, who was listed as the regular starter in 2003, but missed four starts due to a hand injury, is back for his junior season. Berry took over as the starter for the Cougars in 2002 as a red-shirt freshman. John Beck also gained valuable experience as a true freshman in 2003. Beck played in eight games last season, including four games as the starting quarterback. Both Berry and Beck combined for 2,309 yards passing on 220 completions, averaging 10.5 yards per completion. The duo tag-teamed for 12 touchdown completions. Newcomer Jason Beck, a transfer from College of the Canyons, will also compete for playing time. Depth at quarterback extends to senior Todd Mortensen and junior Jackson Brown.
RUNNING BACKS -- The Cougars will be in good hands with veteran running back Marcus Whalen and sophomore Curtis Brown. Both are expected to compete for the starting job this Fall. Whalen, a 5-11, 215-pound senior racked up 918 yards as a sophomore, but saw limited playing time due to an injury as a junior in the Cougars' season-opening victory over Georgia Tech. Brown, a 6-0, 190-pound speedster red-shirted in 2003 and has impressed coaches and teammates during off-season and early Spring practices. Brown is an obvious threat as ball carrier and can be used in any number of passing situations. Brown saw limited action behind Whalen as a true freshman in 2002, racking up 299 yards on 72 carries. Brown led the Cougars' to a record setting come-from-behind victory in 2002 with three touchdowns and 217 yards rushing, helping BYU overcome a 34-7 halftime deficit at Utah State. Coach Lance Reynolds will also take a good look at recently returned missionary Bryce Mahuika (5-10, 185), who has switched from receiver to running back. Fahu Tahi is listed as the preseason starter at fullback and could also see time at running back. Tahi, a 6-0, 230-pound junior, started at fullback last season and was credited with 77 yards on 34 carries with one touchdown. Moa Peaua, a 6-0, 265-pound junior, has made the switch from the defensive line to fullback and will push Tahi for playing time this season.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS -- The Cougars return three of their top four receivers from last year's team, including Chris Hale, Daniel Coats and Rod Wilkerson. The trio racked up 64 receptions on the season, recording an average 78.2 yards per game. Hale, Coats and Wilkerson will be joined by a host of talented junior college and high school receivers this season. Coaches anticipate junior college transfers Todd Watkins and Michael Morris will make an immediate impact in the Cougars' passing game. Newcomer Austin Collie (6-1, 185), one of the nation's top receiver prospects, is also expected to compete for playing time at receiver. Entering Spring practices, BYU lists 16 different wide receivers on its roster, including Jason Kukahiko, a veteran 6-1, 190-pound senior, Breyon Jones, a 5-11, 190-pound junior, and newcomer Riley Weber, a 6-1, 190-pound junior from Glendale CC. Each are expected to compete for significant playing time this season as well. Coach Todd Bradford will also have his eyes on Matt Smith (6-2, 185), Andrew Beck (5-10, 180) and Zac Collie (5-10, 175). In addition to Austin Collie, newcomers expected to contribute are Michael Reed (6-2, 190), Antwaun Harris (5-11, 195) and junior college transfer Joe Griffin (6-3, 215). Saia Hufoka, a recently returned missionary is also expected to compete. While Coats may be the man to beat at tight end, the Cougars will look to Philip Niu--who is recovering from a season-ending knee injury--as well as Jeremy Gillespie and Aisaac Aiono for added depth at tight end. Each should see significant playing time this season.
OFFENSIVE LINE --The offensive line is expected to show great improvement in 2004. Most notably, sophomores Jake Kuresa (6-4, 358) and Ofa Mohetau (6-3, 350), who weigh a combined 705 pounds, have been penciled in as preseason starters on the left side of the line. Senior Scott Young and sophomore Paul Fisher are expected to anchor things on the right side of the line. While Kuresa started throughout the season and Mohetau gained valuable experience, including a handful of starts, Young, at 6-5, 315 pounds, along with Fisher at 6-7, 315 pounds, offer intimidating size, power, quickness and strength. With the collective size and strength of the offensive line, it is possible first-year offensive line coach Jeff Grimes will use different combinations of players at both guard and tackle. Lance Reynolds, Jr. and Hanale Vincent will battle for the starting job at center. Other players, including Eddie Keele (6-5, 283), Nick Longshore (6-5, 297), Brian Sanders (6-3, 330) and R.J. Willing (6-4, 290), could compete for starting a job at the guard and tackle positions. Newcomers Ray Feinga (6-5, 285) and Nick Alleto (6-4, 275) are likely to figure in to the mix as well. Travis Bright, a returned missionary is expected to make an early contribution.
DEFENSIVE LINE -- The Cougars' defensive line will feature two seniors and a junior, including All-America candidate Brady Poppinga at defensive end and All-MWC candidates John Denney (DE) and Daniel Marquardt (NT). The line will also benefit from added depth this season. Several experienced players will also vie for playing time, including Shaun Nua (DE), Michael Marquardt (DE), Justin Carlson-Maddux (NT) and Manaia Brown (NT). Junior college transfer Vince Feula could also make an immediate impact on the Cougars' defensive line.
LINEBACKER -- After missing the 2003 season with a back injury, Paul Walkenhorst returns for his senior season. At 6-5, 252, the three-year starter is listed as the preseason starter as an outside linebacker. K.C. Bills, a 6-1, 225-pound sophomore turned heads as a red-shirt freshman and is listed as the preseason starter at middle linebacker. Known among his teammates as "The Silencer", Bryant Atkinson, a 6-3, 225-pound junior returns as the preseason starter at outside linebacker. The key for the Cougar linebackers this season will be added depth. Sophomores Matt Ah You, Justin Williams, Cameron Jensen, Markell Staffierie and freshman Lawrence Cowan are listed as top backups entering Spring practice; however, mission plans for Ah You may change things entering Fall camp. The defense will also benefit from newcomer Justin Luettgerodt, a 6-4, 240-pound junior-college transfer. Luettgerodt suffered an off-season injury that will keep him out of Spring practices, but with a resume that includes JC All-America honors after posting an amazing 147 tackles as a sophomore at Foothill JC, he is expected to see plenty of action this season. Other players who will battle for playing time include Adney Reid, Dan Van Sweden and Kyle Tew. Coach Barry Lamb will also look to newcomers Gary Lovely (6-3, 195), Billy Turner (5-11, 215) and Grant Nelson (6-2, 215) for added depth at linebacker.
SAFETY -- Aaron Francisco, a 6-2, 206-pound senior, is simply dominating. This three-year starter has been known to knock people just shy of next week. While his off-field demeanor resembles the mild-mannered, shy type, his on-field presence can be likened to a two-head, man-eating ... OK, well, you get the point. His team-leading 116 tackles speaks volumes. Not only is Francisco one of the best defenders in the Mountain West Conference, he is sure to garner national recognition for his hard-hitting, dominating style. While there is little doubt at the Cougarback position, defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhal has his radar out searching for possible starters at the other safety positions. Entering Spring practices, Mendenhal tapped junior Kellen Fowler as the starter on the left side and Jon Burbidge as the starter at the right-side safety position. Others who could battle for playing time include Quinn Gooch, Andrew Beck, Michael Nascimento, Adam Nelson, Dustin Gabriel and Joel Theler.
CORNERBACK --The Cougars received a major dose of good news when the NCAA granted senior cornerback Brandon Heaney a sixth year of eligibility. Heaney, who has battled shoulder injuries the previous two seasons, is expected to lead the BYU secondary in 2004. Heaney possesses great speed and has a nose for the football. With the loss of cornerback Jernaro Gilford, it will be up to the likes of Nate Soleberg, O'Neil Howell or Micah Alba to pick up the slack. All three should contend for significant playing time this season. Others who are expected to compete for playing time include Spencer White, Jeff Couch and Ryan Beck. During the off-season, BYU also signed a number of players who could make an immediate impact, including Greg Lovely (6-0, 180), Karland Bennett (6-0, 190), Ibrahim Rashada (5-10, 190), B.J. Mathis (5-9, 170) and Billy Skinner (6-0, 185).
SPECIAL TEAMS --He finished the season ranked among the national leaders in punting and there is no reason why he shouldn't finish his senior season as one of the top punters in the country. Matt Payne returns for his final season at BYU and will handle both the punting and kicking duties for the third straight season. Payne averaged 44.0 yards per punt last season and connected on 78 percent of his field goal attempts, including a mark of five-for-six from 30 to 49 yards. He was also 3-for-5 on attempts of 50 yards or more.
2004 Spring Depth Chart
The following players did not participate, or had limited participation during
Spring drills: KC Bills (LB), Mania Brown (DL), Brett Cooper (WR), Cody Fonnesbeck (WR),
Brandon Heaney (DB), Justin Luettgerodt (LB), Gary McGiven (OL), Ofa Mohetau (OL)
and Philip Niu (TE)
OFFENSE
ZR #29 Chris Hale** 5-9 175 Jr.
#10 Matt Allen 6-0 180 Fr.
XR #26 Rod Wilkerson*** 6-2 190 Sr.
#1 Todd Watkins 6-3 185 Jr.
FR #15 Jason Kukahiko*** 6-1 190 Sr.
#4 Michael Morris 6-1 182 Jr.
TE #20 Daniel Coates* 6-3 249 So.
#91 Aisaac Aiono* 6-5 245 Sr.
RT #71 Paul Fisher* 6-7 315 So.
#65 R.J. Willing 6-4 290 Fr.
RG #75 Scott Young* 6-5 312 Sr.
#60 Scott Tidwell 6-3 290 Jr.
C #54 Lance Reynolds, Jr. 6-3 265 Jr.
#57 Hanale Vincent** 6-5 321 Sr.
LG #73 Jake Kuresa* 6-4 350 So.
#78 Brian Sanders* 6-3 330 Jr.
LT #59 Eddie Keele* 6-5 283 So.
#74 Nick Longshore 6-5 297 Jr.
QB #8 Matt Berry** 6-6 225 Jr.
-or- #12 John Beck* 6-2 202 So.
RB #6 Curtis Brown* 6-0 190 So.
#32 Marcus Whalen*** 5-11 213 Jr.
FB #3 Naufahu Tahi** 6-0 230 Jr.
#44 Moa Peaua 6-0 265 Jr.
DEFENSE
RE #49 Brady Poppinga** 6-3 260Sr.
#46 Michael Marquardt* 6-4 260So.
NT #77 Daniel Marquardt** 6-2 315Jr.
#97 Justin Carlson-Maddux* 6-3 253So.
LE #92 John Denney* 6-6 275Jr.
#54 Shaun Nua* 6-5 270Sr.
RLB #39 Bryant Atkinson* 6-3 225Jr.
#36 Markell Staffiere 6-2 215Fr.
MLB #55 K.C. Bills* 6-1 220So.
#35 Cameron Jensen 6-2 230So.
LLB #47 Paul Walkenhorst*** 6-5 252Sr.
#43 Adney Reid* 6-1 230So.
RC #34 Brandon Heaney** 5-11 185Sr.
#22 Micah Alba** 5-8 160Sr.
LC #13 Nate Soelberg* 6-0 172Jr.
#24 Spencer White* 6-1 185 Jr.
CGR #33 Aaron Francisco*** 6-2 206Sr.
#28 Dustin Gabriel 6-1 190Fr.
RCT #37 Jon Burbidge*** 6-0 197Sr.
#9 Joel Theler 6-2 195Fr.
LCT #21 Kellen Fowler* 6-0 187Jr.
#18 Quinn Gooch 6-1 190Fr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K #38 Matt Payne** 6-4 234Sr.
#27 Trent Williams 6-0 175Fr.
P #38 Matt Payne** 6-4 234Sr.
#31 Jared McLaughlin 6-5 195So.
DS #92 John Denney* 6-6 275Jr.
#86 Philip Niu* 6-5 243So.
PR #33 Aaron Francisco*** 6-2 206Sr.
#10 Matt Allen 6-0 180Fr.
KR #83 Brett Cooper* 5-11 186So.
#6 Curtis Brown* 6-0 190So.
KR #13 Nate Soleberg* 6-0 172Jr.
#4 Michael Morris 6-1 182Jr.
Offense lists 12 positions due to various formations.
* - Indicates Letters Won