PROVO -- Head coach Bronco Mendenhall announced the team captains for the upcoming 2008 season on Monday, as chosen by their teammates. Max Hall and Travis Bright will serve as captains from the offense, along with Jan Jorgensen and David Nixon, the captains from the defense.
“I like them,” said Mendenhall. “If I were choosing, those are the exact four I would have chosen. I don't think the players could have chosen four better captains. These players are consistent, have good work ethic, are spokespeople and good examples. The more we as a coaching staff can hand over to them, the more our efforts can be focused on the game aspects.”
Bright realizes the responsibilities that accompany this honor, and hopes he can help ease the burden often placed on his coach.
“This is a neat opportunity,” said Bright. “Hopefully coach [Mendenhall] will delegate more on us as captains and take less on himself.”
Collectively the captains have 103 games of experience, with all four starting each game last season. Hall ended the 2007 season as the nation’s top sophomore quarterback, passing for 3,848 yards. Bright, an offensive lineman, was part of an offensive unit that led the MWC and ranked 14th nationally in passing offense, averaging 298.4 yards per game. Over the course of the 2007 season, defensive lineman Jorgensen recorded 14 sacks for a combined loss of 115 yards, producing at least one sack in seven straight games. At linebacker, Nixon was credited with a career-high 66 tackles on the season, including a career-best 38 solo tackles.
Their accomplishments extend off the field as well, with each player earning 2007 Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors.
“To have your teammates nominate you as a team captain is an honor,” said Hall. “To have them trust you with this responsibility is a great feeling.”
The Cougars will open the 2008 season at home against Northern Iowa on Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. MT. BYU will look to improve on its 10 game winning streak, which currently leads the nation. The game will be televised live on The Mtn.