PROVO -- Coming off back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since the 1970-71 seasons, the Cougars are anxious to get back to their winning ways. In a season that marks the 20th anniversary of the 1984 National Championship, there is no time like the present.
In this multi-part series, BYUCougars.com will preview the 2004 season, including a breakdown of each position.
"We don't want to finish like we did last year," BYU Head Coach Gary Crowton says. "We made a lot of mistakes last year, but we've had the opportunity to evaluate those mistakes and correct them. With the returning players we have, with their experience, along with the new talent we have coming in, we have a chance to move forward. We've addressed some areas that we think will help us this season and make us a better football team."
Last season the Cougars were plagued with turnovers and at times, the inability to execute. Crowton says those issues have been addressed.
"We have so many goals," Crowton says. "As a team, we want to establish the ability to take care of the football. Next, we want to become a more physical football team. We're also going to improve our play execution.
"To accomplish these things, we've emphasized the basic part of the football game so we can execute well and take care of the football. We accomplished a lot of this during the spring."
The Cougars have a total of 33 letterwinners returning this season, including 19 offensive players, 13 defensive players and one special teams member. BYU welcomes back as many as 10 offensive players with starting experience, along with seven players who have starting experience on defense.
"I think the strength of this team will be its experience," Crowton said. "The experienced players will be able to help move our new recruits along. I'm also excited about the new players we have coming in. We have some very talented players who we have recruited from the junior-college ranks, as well as some incoming freshmen who will be able to contribute from the very beginning.
"We have a good influx of new players along with the returning players, which gives us more depth and experience going into the season. We have the potential of being a much better team. I feel like we're heading in the right direction."
2004 SCHEDULE
The Cougars will kickoff the 2004 season against one of the most storied college football programs in the country. Notre Dame will return to Provo--for the first time since the 1993 season--on Saturday, Sept. 4. Last season, the Fighting Irish came out on top, outlasting the Cougars 33-14 in South Bend.
When opening the season in Provo, the Cougars have had tremendous success over the years. During the Crowton era, BYU has posted a perfect 3-0 record in season opening games, outscoring opponents by an average 22.3 points per game. Since 2001, the Cougars have recorded wins over Tulane (70-35), Syracuse (42-21) and Georgia Tech (24-13).
In week two of the season, BYU will make its first-ever trip to Stanford. In a re-match of last season's 18-14 Cardinal victory, the Cougars will be looking to avenge a heart breaking loss.
On Sept. 18, the defending National Champions from USC will make their first-ever appearance in Provo. While BYU fans still remember the magic that led to a monumental upset of top-ranked Miami (Fla.) in 1990, the Trojans remember a close, hard-fought victory in Los Angeles last season.
Many Cougar faithful are thinking, "It's happened before, it could happen again." The Trojans know they will have to bring their "A" game in order to leave Provo with a victory.
"I like playing Notre Dame and USC at home," Crowton says. "We have an opportunity to play against two of the most storied football programs in the history of college football, and we get to play them on our own field."
The Cougars will make their first-ever trip to Boise, Idaho on Friday, Sept. 24 for yet another non-conference rematch. Last season, a high-powered Bronco offense gave BYU all it could handle on a cold, snowy evening in Provo.
"I like our schedule," Crowton says. "It's going to be challenging, but we don't have to prepare for anyone new. We have seen all these teams before, so there's a familiarity that we can build from. It gives us a bit of a head start."
In Week 5, BYU will kickoff the MWC season with a return trip to the not-so-friendly confines of Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins, Colo. The Cougars have not won a game at Colorado State since the 1995 season. The following week, BYU will return to Provo for a Friday-night contest against UNLV. A week later, BYU will play host to Wyoming. After back-to-back home games, the Cougars will travel to Air Force on Oct. 23.
Following a week off, BYU will host both San Diego State (Nov. 6) and New Mexico (Nov. 13) before rounding out the regular season with a quick trip to Salt Lake City to take on its rivals from the North.
"This will be a challenging schedule," Crowton says. "But with having Notre Dame and USC, as well as four conference games at home, I like the advantage that can give us. We'll have to work hard and remained focus throughout the entire season. There are no easy games. We'll have to play hard each and every week."
Wednesday's feature will give an overview of the Cougars' offense and will breakdown the running back position.