At his weekly media press conference held at Legends Grille, head coach Bronco Mendenhall addresses the media about Saturday's game in Salt Lake City against Utah.
Opening Statement:
"It's good to be with you. We're anxious to play this football games. Our main goal was to win the conference championship, but they would also like to remain consistent and show improvement. From what I've seen to this point in practice that is exactly what has happened. I would like to express my appreciation of the leadership of our team with John and Cameron. The direction of the program and how we play can be directly traced to them and their attitude and the rest of the senior leadership. The week is going well and the game seems like a long ways away. We're doing the work that is necessary to prepare for the game."
Q: Are there any guys on the Utah football team that jump out at you?
BM: "Utah has a number of players that require a special awareness. Obviously the easy answer is Weddle because of his use on offense and on defense. Where he is going to play and how his role will be used is certainly something that has to be acknowledged. That would be most likely where I would stop. The rest of them and their roles have been pretty well established up to this point. Those players are game plan specific and their roles have been consistent through the entire year."
Q: How much of the Wyoming film have you looked at to see what they did that was successful against Utah?
BM: "I've seen every game that Utah has played. From the defensive perspective in the Wyoming game they were particularly committed to pressure. Wyoming is a zone pressure team and they were very effective on applying pressure on the quarterback and getting turnovers. We're confident at the model that we have for this year and managing the points at a higher level. That is what our players know and have confidence in and what we feel is the best formula for success right now. We intend to acknowledge what Wyoming did and how they capitalized in that game but, we don't intend to carry out that same plan."
Q: Is the game this year a bigger challenge for your team leadership than last year?
BM: "I'm not sure that it is a bigger challenge but, what I will say is that last year I framed the expectation of executing at a higher level. I've tried to put more emphasis on that same message this year. Now that we've been together another year our players acknowledge what has happened and intend to focus on knowing that it is about us and our execution. I believe that will give us our best chance and our team is confident in that approach. That's what has helped them get to the point where they are now."
Q: What influence does this game have on recruiting?
BM: "I'm not sure how much of an effect it will have on recruiting. Each young man makes a choice on how the program is doing and what fits best for him. What's already been acknowledged is a conference championship. For the young man that is interested that has an effect on him, but I still feel that the choice is between how the program is doing and what fits best for him."
Q: Do you anticipate the preparation for this week's game to be longer than normal because of the hype it brings with it?
BM: "The work hours will be the same. We prepare for every game like it is the most important game of the season. I've said so many times in here that the next game is the most important. We prepare as such and the hours, schedule and emphasis is the same. The hours of others around it might be longer but ours are the same."
Q: How long does it take you to catch up on Utah and their film?
BM: "It takes a full day on Monday. We start at 6 A.M. with staff meeting and do most of the catching up on that day because we don't use Sunday to do that like most other programs do. I think balance is an important trade off to our coaching staff and families."
Q: Their punter has been extremely important for them and their field position, how do you plan to approach that?
BM: "We have mentioned that to our players in the special teams meeting yesterday. We've had a great luxury of having our opponents to drive a long way in order so score because we haven't turned the ball over that much. Our special teams have been playing solid. Utah's special teams have also been performing well all year. Our offense has proven that we can drive distances consistently and I find that it will probably be a very important part of the game. Specifically the punt and punt return battle between the two teams will make a big difference on how many points are scored for both teams."
Q: After the New Mexico game John Beck guaranteed a win, how do you feel about that?
BM: "I prefer or players don't say anything. I prefer they go about their business and let their actions speak louder than their words. I prefer them not to say anything."
Q: Ratliff and Weddle of Utah said BYU is cocky and arrogant. Are they correct?
BM: "One more time and who said that?"
"I think our team is confident and any names that call vice versa will have no impact on the game. I wouldn't say cocky or arrogant. I would say confident and has earned the right to be that way to this point this year. Each test and each game we play in this league is a test knowing that any team is capable of beating us."
Q: Can you break down the U's offense?
BM: "I haven't seen many big differences from year's past. What I have seen is in their losses they have trouble of ball security and in their wins they play well and have held on to the football and that has made the difference. The scheme is very similar and a little bit different in terms of the run game in losing Ganther from last year. I've seen a lot of similarities from last year and they've been successful with that approach and have been moving the ball and scoring points."
Q: What do you see in their defense?
BM: "Even though there was some variation last year to what they were doing it is very similar this year. The core of their defense has been the same for the majority of the snaps the entire year. Their defense is well established and it is something their head coach and defensive coordinator believe in. There might be a wrinkle or two but there has been a wrinkle or two in every game that we have played."
Q: Can you talk about the environment for the game on Saturday?
BM: "It will be hostile and charged with electricity. There will be fans that are passionate about the game which is difficult to describe and why they are that passionate. They care for wins and they consider that to have an effect on their lifestyle for an entire year. There will be people there in that game with that mindset."
Q: BYU's defense has played well all season and on target to be the third- or second-best scoring defense the school has every had. Does it feel like it is that good?
BM: "we were just talking as a defensive staff today about that. Our number one goal has been about points and turnovers. We then made conceptions of an aggressive style to accomplish what we believe is most important. I think it has played out exactly as we hoped it would. It hasn't been something we have acknowledge with our players in terms of goals and rankings, but we do have a certain goal we shoot for each week and I acknowledge that in front of our team each week. That has really been a positive thing."
Q: What kind of relationship do you have with Kyle Whittingham?
BM: "It is a professional one. We don't know each other really well. It's not much different with Coach Glenn or other coaches but simply professional."
Q: There has been talk last saying Utah got the better deal with Whittingham and this year the talk is BYU getting the better deal having you. How do you respond to that?
BM: "I don't respond to that. I'm doing the best I can for our program and that is where I would like to leave it."
Q: It seemed like New Mexico ran the ball well against you guys did it seem like it was something you guys were doing or was it more something that they were doing?
BM: "I think they played very physical and I was impressed with their running back. They did have success running the football and maybe more than I would have liked, they did score 10 offensive points. We created turnovers when necessary and it goes back to the point that was commented by Dick (media member), what is relevant? Points is most relevant and 10 points isn't going to win many games. I'm more patient in allowing the ball to be run and yardage giving up, but when necessary the defense has proven to make plays and keep points off the board. I will New Mexico credit, they were physical and ran the ball well."