OT Matt Reynolds (ICON SMI Photo)
2010 SCHEDULE
9-4-10 WASHINGTON
9-11-10 at Air Force
9-18-10 at Florida State
9-25-10 NEVADA
10-1-10 at Utah State (Fri.)
10-9-10 SAN DIEGO STATE
10-16-10 at TCU
10-23-10 WYOMING
11-6-10 UNLV
11-13-10 at Colorado State
11-20-10 NEW MEXICO
11-27-10 at Utah
Coach: Bronco Mendenhall
49-15, 5 years

2009 Statistics

2009 RESULTS: 11-2
vs. Oklahoma WON 14-13
at Tulane WON 54-3
FLORIDA STATE LOST 28-54
COLORADO STATE WON 42-23
UTAH STATE WON 35-17
at UNLV WON 59-21
at San Diego State WON 38-28
TCU LOST 7-38
at Wyoming WON 52-0
at New Mexico WON 24-19
AIR FORCE WON 38-21
UTAH WON 26-23 (OT)
LAS VEGAS BOWL
Oregon State WON 44-20

2009 Final Rankings
AP-12, Coaches-12, BCS-14

 

Projected 2010 record: 8-4

DB Andrew Rich (ICON SMI Photo)
BRIGHAM YOUNG
2009 Statistical Rankings
OFFENSE
 
National
Conf.
Rushing:
63
4
Passing:
17
1
Total Off:
21
2
Sacks Allow:
54
7
DEFENSE
 
National
Conf.
Rushing:
21
2
Passing:
62
5
Total Def:
28
4
Sacks:
66
5
RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Riley Nelson, 7-10-0, 99 yds., 1 TD

Rushing: JJ DiLuigi, 45 att., 248 yds., 3 TD

Receiving: O'Neill Chambers, 32 rec., 376 yds., 1 TD

Scoring: Mitch Payne, 10-14 FG, 59-61 PAT, 89 pts.

Punting: Riley Stephenson, 42 punts, 41.3 avg.

Kicking: Mitch Payne, 10-14 FG, 59-61 PAT, 89 pts.

Tackles: Andrew Rich, 85 tot., 34 solo

Sacks: Jordan Pendleton, 3 sacks

Interceptions: Andrew Rich, 4 for 91 yds.

Kickoff Returns: O'Neill Chambers, 19 ret., 25.6 avg., 0 TD

Punt Returns: O'Neill Chambers, 22 ret., 6.0 avg., 0 TD

 

 
BRIGHAM YOUNG
2010 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 6
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 5
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Max Hall-QB, Manase Tonga-RB, Dennis Pitta-TE, Andrew George-TE, R.J. Willing-C, Harvey Unga-RB
DEFENSE: Brett Denney-DE, Russell Tialavea-NT, Jan Jorgensen-DE, Matt Bauman-LB, Shawn Doman-LB, Terrance Hooks-LB, Coleby Clawson-LB, Scott Johnson-FS

 

2010 OUTLOOK
The Cougars have lost no more than two regular season games during any of the past four years. Under this premise, head coach Bronco Mendenhall will face his biggest challenge since taking over five years ago. Several factors come into play that makes this a daunting season. First, the personnel losses from 2009 were heavy and included a record setting quarterback; an NFL bound tight end, receiver and defensive end. Second, losing the school's career rushing leader Harvey Unga due to a team honor code violation really hand straps the new quarterbacks. Third, the September schedule includes resurging Washington, rival Air Force and a game in the heat/humidity of Tallahassee.

Max Hall started 39 games behind center and won 32 of them. The replacement possibilities are grand, just short on experience. The job is now a race between Riley Nelson, a former transfer from Utah State who saw mop up duty at times a year ago and super recruit Jake Heaps, who enrolled early this January as a true frosh after being ranked the No. 1 prep quarterback in the country by most every publication. Heaps did not come here from Skyline HS in Washington to ride the pine. But Nelson's resume is no slouch either (Mr. Football in Utah and holds nine state passing records). This should be a good battle all the way into the fall. As mentioned, running back Harvey Unga was expected to ease the transition for a new QB. Now that he is gone, players without proven success will take over. The loss of both starting tight ends, including Dennis Pitta - the school's all-time career receiving leader, will result in a battle between three freshmen. Despite all this, four quality receivers still remain led by O'Neill Chambers and the offensive line has four starters back including the only Preseason All-American candidate on this team in Matt Reynolds at tackle.

The defense suffers from similar attrition. In this 3-4 alignment, nose tackle Romney Fuga and linebacker Jordan Pendleton are the only returning starters. The secondary is more established and is led by safety Andrew Rich who intercepted four passes and topped the team with 85 tackles. Both corners return and have proven dependable. If the running game struggles, and this defense is left on the field for long periods of time it could prove devastating.

 

2010 OFFENSE

 

 

 
BRIGHAM YOUNG 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Riley Nelson-Jr (6-0, 207) Jake Heaps-Fr (6-2, 205)
RB Bryan Kariya-Jr (6-0, 214) Mike Hague-So (5-10, 223)
RB JJ DiLuigi-Jr (5-9, 198) Joshua Quezada-Fr (5-11, 210)
WR O'Neill Chambers-Jr (6-2, 210) Spencer Hafoka-Jr (6-0, 196)
WR McKay Jacobson-Jr (5-11, 192) Luke Ashworth-Sr (6-2, 196)
TE Mike Muehlmann-RFr (6-4, 227) Devin Mahina-Fr (6-6, 225)
OT Matt Reynolds-Jr (6-6, 329) Jason Speredon-Sr (6-5, 313)
OG Braden Hansen-So (6-6, 300) Ryan Freeman-Jr (6-2, 280)
C Terence Brown-Jr (6-3, 240) Houston Reynolds-RFr (6-2, 303)
OG Nick Alletto-Sr (6-6, 329) Marco Thorson-Jr (6-3, 321)
OT Braden Brown-So (6-6, 250) Walter Kahaialii-So (6-3, 320)
K Mitch Payne-Sr (6-2, 210) Riley Stephenson-So (6-0, 183)

 

2010 DEFENSE

 

 

 
BRIGHAM YOUNG 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Matt Putnam-Jr (6-6, 255) Thomas Bryson-Fr (6-5, 230)
NT Romney Fuga-Jr (6-1, 295) Jordan Richardson-So (6-3, 275)
DE Vic So'oto-Sr (6-3, 253) Eathyn Manumaleuna-So (6-2, 280)
SLB Jordan Pendleton-Jr (6-2, 228) Jameson Frazier-Jr (6-2, 201)
MLB Shane Hunter-Sr (6-1, 229) Austin Jorgensen-So (6-3, 230)
BLB Brandon Ogletree-So (5-11, 222) Aveni Leung-Wai-Jr (6-1, 220)
WLB Jordan Atkinson-Sr (6-3, 243) Kyle Van Noy-Fr (6-4, 209)
CB Brian Logan-Sr (5-6, 176) Robbie Buckner-So (5-10, 175)
Lee Aguirre-Sr (5-9, 204)
CB Brandon Bradley-Sr (6-0, 200) Corby Eason-Jr (5-8, 174)
KAT Andrew Rich-Sr (6-3, 223) Jray Galea'i-RFr (6-0, 193)
FS Steven Thomas-Jr (5-11, 176) Travis Uale-Jr (6-2, 195)
P Riley Stephenson-So (6-0, 183) ..