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PROVO — BYU was 6-2, fresh off a Fight Hunger Bowl invite, and on a five-game winning streak, but the Wisconsin Badgers didn't care.
The Cougars couldn't stop the Badger run game and struggled to score points of their own, leaving Camp Randall with a 17-27 defeat last Saturday, and halting their mid-season momentum.
"Disappointed with our loss; huge opportunity missed," said head coach Bronco Mendenhall after Monday night's practice. "Hard one to shake off not only for myself but for our team. The opponent had more drive on offense, and we gave up one too many on defense."
Even though No. 22 Wisconsin hails from the Big Ten and came into the game as a contender for an at-large bid to the BCS, BYU coaches and players both agree it wasn't a lack of talent that led to the loss, but rather missed assignments and lack of execution.
"I look first at how we perform and the mistakes we made," said safety Daniel Sorensen when talking about the team's performance, "and I give credit to [Wisconsin] and everything, but I think it was our play and our mistakes that really hurt us."
"We did really well when everyone did exactly what they needed to do assignment wise," said Mendenhall when comparing the two teams. "When Wisconsin moved the ball or we didn't have success moving the ball, it was when we had assignment errors. So, [they're a] good team. They were consistent and more sound through the whole game, enough for a 10-point margin of victory.
Despite the tough loss, the team is chalking it up as a learning opportunity. Next up is the season's final home game against Idaho State this Saturday. Even though the Cougars will be playing down a division, they aren't taking the Bengals lightly and look to use the game to fix mistakes from last week and to improve for the rest of the season.
"We are not going to take them lightly," said offensive lineman De'Ondre Wesley about upcoming foe ISU. "Every opponent that we play has the potential to be a great team. We have to fix some things during practice and go through film and get some things fixed."
"We look at ourselves first and what we can do," said Sorensen. "It's not so much who we're playing, its how we can improve and how we can get better. We're going to take what we learned and some of the things we struggled with this last week and try to get better."
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Not only is Saturday's matchup with Idaho State the final home game of the season, but it's also Senior Night for many Cougar players and their last chance to ever play at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
"The atmosphere, and more than anything, playing with the guys -- playing with the guys you battle with," said Sorensen about what he will miss most about playing at LES. "That's the emotional tie to this place and to the stadium -- those guys that you spend so much time with."
Mendenhall said this year's senior crop did great things for the team and the program, but they're still hungry to finish the season strong and end their BYU careers on a high note.
"Man, they're really talented, and they've accomplished a lot," said Mendenhall about his seniors, "but I think what they're most anxious for is to have a great finish to this year. I think they think there's still a lot left that they might be able to accomplish, so I'm just grateful that they came to BYU, and they really helped our program."
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Several Cougars left Madison dinged and bruised, and head football athletic trainer Jeff Hurst updated BYU's latest injury information:
Wide receiver Mitch Mathews suffered a shoulder injury that requires surgery. He is done for the season.
Linebacker Spencer Hadley suffered an MCL injury that won't require surgery. He will not play against Idaho State but will be week-to-week after that.
Tight end Devin Mahina injured his abductor and is likely out this week.
Offensive lineman Ryker Mathews is dealing with a neck injury and is hopeful to return for Notre Dame.
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You can hear post-practice interviews with Coach Mendenhall, Daniel Sorensen, and Jeff Hurst in "Cougar Cuts," top left.
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Jason Ludlow is a KSL Newsradio BYU intern.
