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PROVO — As the Cougars approach their final regular season game versus the University of California, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall knows there is still an opportunity for this year’s team to reach its full potential.
“We still haven’t reached this team’s potential, and one way to do that is to have a great week of practice (and) to play well this week against a very good opponent on the road,” he said.
Mendenhall’s team will undoubtedly need to be sharp on defense this weekend as it faces an offense that ranks fifth in passing yards and 13th in points scored.
“(California) is certainly the most talented and best offense we will have played this season and maybe with in the last couple of seasons,” he said.
Mendenhall acknowledges this game will be wide open and exciting and that solid performances by both sides of the ball will be needed. Offensively, Mendenhall feels it will take at least 30 points to have a chance to win and the defense will need put pressure on the quarterback that is currently getting sacked on average only twice a game.
“They’re very skilled, very good players, an excellent scheme, and (at) slightly less than 40 points a game they’re very talented,” said Mendenhall of the Golden Bears' offense.
The players and coaches recognize this is the final regular season game, and Mendenhall said the coaching staff is hard at work looking to help the players finish the season off right with a win.
“It’s nice to have a meaningful game at the end of the year, and our players and coaches look forward to it,” continued Mendenhall.
Senior offensive lineman and northern California native De'Ondre Wesley was this week’s Firehouse Subs Firestarter of the Week. Mendenhall explained how Wesley, a junior college transfer, had been brought in with a number of other junior college players who had transferred to BYU, but he believes Wesley has been one of the most productive of the group.
Wesley said he chose to transfer to BYU because of the quality of education as well the influence of coach Mendenhall. He talked about how quickly the two years have gone and how he feels he must never take playing college football for granted, especially this weekend when he has the opportunity to play in front of his loved ones back home.
“I can’t wait to go back home and play in front of my family and friends. I’ve been waiting for this game all year,” he said.
Mendenhall talked about how much he will miss Wesley and how he has enjoyed his dedication and the relationship that has grown between the two of them on the playing field and from sitting next to each other every morning at team meetings. When asked to associate one word with his head coach, Wesley chose the word “leader” for Mendenhall.
Wesley said competition is a strong part of the offensive line and that every week spots are up for grabs but that in turn is good because it creates chemistry over time.
“It’s all about chemistry and knowing the guy that’s next to you, knowing the whole line, and knowing their personalities, and knowing their strengths and weaknesses,” Wesley said.
Mendenhall was asked about the process in which the staff prepares for a game and the unique challenges California’s offense will present. Mendenhall said it’s important to try to take advantage of weaknesses but that often those weaknesses are determined based upon his team’s strengths and the preparation his team puts in.
“It really works first assessing our team, where we currently are, what are our strengths, what are our weaknesses,” said Mendenhall, “then we look at the opponent to find out how those match up.”
Mendenhall said both offenses this weekend will be strengths for their teams, which will put pressure on the defenses to be the deciding factor.
“Whichever team plays the best defense and has the best field position through special teams, I think that will determine the outcome,” he said.
