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Above .500 for the first time in the 2013 campaign, the BYU Cougars are preparing to host a Homecoming tilt with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
It was almost a year ago in Atlanta that BYU defeated the Jackets 41-17--a game that also happens to mark the last time BYU scored in all four quarters of a game.
The performance was less notable for the Cougars' offensive output than it was BYU's defensive lock-down on a Tech attack that was among the most prolific in college football last season--particularly on the ground, with a run game that ended the season ranked fourth nationally in yards per game.
A Georgia Tech team that averaged 311 yards per game on the ground and 441 yards per game overall in 2012 was held to 117 rush yards and 157 total yards by Bronco Mendenhall's defense, while generating only three points on offense (TDs were scored on defense and special teams), and going 0-for-10 on third downs. The Yellow Jackets ran just 47 plays, only one week after a 91-snap win over Boston College.
BYU's defensive effort in Atlanta, and its traditionally strong outings against option teams have earned Mendenhall and his staff a bit of a reputation as option gurus. The coach says any proficiency has been the result of prolonged exposure and study.
"I don't know if it's a specialty," said Mendenhall after his team's practice on Monday evening. "Most of the things I've learned in this profession have come from really humble beginnings."
Referencing a negative first experience against Air Force's option attack while a defensive coordinator at New Mexico, Mendenhall says at that time "I had no idea what was going on with the option, so it became kind of a project, but I like the challenge."
"It'll be hard to do again" what BYU did against the Yellow Jackets a year ago, said Mendenhall; "we expect a different style of game. Similar offense, but it will be hard to duplicate what we did a year ago."
Linebacker Uani 'Unga says the Tech attack is always a handful.
"Our front seven has got to be ready to come out and play," Unga says. "They (GT) like to just run that triple option and just kind of shove it down your throat. We've just got to come out and be ready to fit-up with a lot of linemen, which is going to be tough."
"I'm probably (going to) be banged up after the game, but hopefully it will come out good."
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BYU hopes to duplicate, and then some, what it did last week in Logan, when the Cougars went into Romney Stadium and comfortably took care of Utah State, 31-14. Mendenhall said his team "made progress" in the win.
"Offensively we found more rhythm," said Mendenhall on Monday, "(and) we get a few players back this week. We're looking forward to another really good opponent coming into our stadium, and playing well."
"We have some momentum now, and I think were making some progress. Still plenty to work on, but we're excited about the (Georgia Tech) game."
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Mendenhall said among the players expected back from injury are running back Adam Hine and offensive lineman De'Ondre Wesley--both of whom sat out at Utah State while recovering from concussions.
The coach said the return of Wesley and continuing recuperation of fellow linemen Ryker Mathews and Brock Stringham will certainly help the Cougars this week.
"It's gonna make a lot of difference," Mendenhall said, "not only for practice, but for the game; it gives us a chance to rotate more players, to keep guys fresher."
"It doesn't necessarily mean that you'll see a different product, but I think it gives us a better chance than what we've had...we still have a ways to go."
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Running back Jamaal Williams is playing his second game back after missing the Middle Tennessee game with a concussion; the sophomore was eased back into the rotation with 14 carries and two catches at Utah State.
Of the modest workload, Mendenhall said "we did that by design, and (Jamaal) was jumping up and down, wanting to get back in at the end."
"Jamaal will carry the ball more this week than last week," said Mendenhall, "but we're still going to use Algie (Brown) some."
Mendenhall says BYU's ground game should benefit from an improved passing attack. In the last two weeks, quarterback Taysom Hill has taken notable steps forward, setting single-game career highs in passing yards and touchdowns last week in Logan.
"Most teams are recognizing that we're focusing on establishing the ground game," Mendenhall said, "but the last two weeks, without any dropped passes and more consistency throwing the ball, I think teams will at least have to acknowledge that threat now."
"I wouldn't say they'll be fearful of it, but at least acknowledging it should allow us to run the ball even more effectively than we have."
Wide receiver Mitch Mathews, who caught all three of Hill's scoring tosses last week, says "it's just a lot of fun because we knew we could do that throughout all the season."
"We haven't even scratched the surface yet with the ball in the air; we'll be able to continue that and do more even."
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You can hear complete post-practice interviews with Mendenhall, Mathews, Williams and Unga in "Cougar Cuts," above left.
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