UNM coach takes the heat in MWC conference call
For once, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall didn't have to field the most questions during the Mountain West Conference coaches teleconference on Tuesday morning.
That distinction went to new New Mexico coach Mike Locksley, who was grilled by reporters over the incident that came to light Monday (but actually happened a week ago Sunday) regarding Locksley punching UNM assistant J.B. Gerald.
Referencing the punch and some allegations of sexual harassment leveled at Locksley prior to the season, Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review Journal asked simply, "What is going on over there?"
Locksley said the program, which is 0-4 after losing to lowly New Mexico State on Saturday, is not in as bad of shape as it might appear. He said 22 first-year players are playing a lot, and predicted brighter things ahead.
Seemingly, it can't get much worse.
Wyoming coach Dave Christensen is also having a tough day -- for altogether different reasons. Christensen was replaced by an assistant coach for the call because he is apparently passing kidney stones at a Laramie hospital.
The assistant said Christensen is expected to be back for practice this afternoon, though.
Tough guy.
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Here are a few of Mendenhall's comments from this morning:
Opening statement:
"After our first MWC game, our football team is excited to continue to grow and improve.
We had a hardfought game on Saturday. We have a lot of respect for Colorado State. They are a very good football program. We were glad to get a win, and in a MWC game, which is most important.
So now we have a chance to play an interstate rivalry game, which is always a great atmosphere in our home stadium on Friday night before General Conference. So our team is excited about it."
Why was CSU able to complete seven passes of 15 yards or more?
"There was just one particular route that kind of gave us a little difficulty. And it was an interesting choice. We made a decision earlier in the week, knowing that Colorado State had had quite a few plays of over 25 yards -- and the giant plays were the ones that we thought could end up beating us.
So we made a choice in scheme -- we didn't necessarily play a given route successfully -- but it did limit them from going over the top of us.
And so it was partly tradeoff, and partly execution."
Why did you bring less pressure against CSU?
"Just a matchup vs. Colorado State. On any given day, our identity will change a little bit in terms of pressure. We are sometimes in between, based on what we think their threats are, and what their weaknesses are.
To this point, for the most point, I think we have managed it well."
Was last year's game against Utah State competitive?
"I think Utah State was very competitive. Not only was the team competitive, their fans were certainly into the game. As I remember, I don't remember much from the game, but I do remember the end. And Utah State was trailing, and trailing by a fairly large margin. Yet the fans were clearly behind their team by supporting them right to the end in a pretty chaotic environment. So I was impressed."
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Mendenhall might have been impressed by how USU fans stuck around to the end of the 34-14 loss (BYU led 34-0 heading into the fourth quarter) and how some fans ran onto the field to "celebrate" the 20-point loss, but BYU defensive end Jan Jorgensen used other words to describe the atmosphere last year in Logan.
"Yeah, I do remember that," said Jorgensen, when asked if remembered the fans' reaction. "It is more comical, I think, than anything else."
Jorgensen, whose father, Jeff, played for Utah State, said playing BYU is like a bowl game for the Aggies.
"I remember us playing really well in the first half, and then kind of falling into a lull the second half. It is something we can't do this year," he said.
That distinction went to new New Mexico coach Mike Locksley, who was grilled by reporters over the incident that came to light Monday (but actually happened a week ago Sunday) regarding Locksley punching UNM assistant J.B. Gerald.
Referencing the punch and some allegations of sexual harassment leveled at Locksley prior to the season, Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review Journal asked simply, "What is going on over there?"
Locksley said the program, which is 0-4 after losing to lowly New Mexico State on Saturday, is not in as bad of shape as it might appear. He said 22 first-year players are playing a lot, and predicted brighter things ahead.
Seemingly, it can't get much worse.
Wyoming coach Dave Christensen is also having a tough day -- for altogether different reasons. Christensen was replaced by an assistant coach for the call because he is apparently passing kidney stones at a Laramie hospital.
The assistant said Christensen is expected to be back for practice this afternoon, though.
Tough guy.
------------------------------
Here are a few of Mendenhall's comments from this morning:
Opening statement:
"After our first MWC game, our football team is excited to continue to grow and improve.
We had a hardfought game on Saturday. We have a lot of respect for Colorado State. They are a very good football program. We were glad to get a win, and in a MWC game, which is most important.
So now we have a chance to play an interstate rivalry game, which is always a great atmosphere in our home stadium on Friday night before General Conference. So our team is excited about it."
Why was CSU able to complete seven passes of 15 yards or more?
"There was just one particular route that kind of gave us a little difficulty. And it was an interesting choice. We made a decision earlier in the week, knowing that Colorado State had had quite a few plays of over 25 yards -- and the giant plays were the ones that we thought could end up beating us.
So we made a choice in scheme -- we didn't necessarily play a given route successfully -- but it did limit them from going over the top of us.
And so it was partly tradeoff, and partly execution."
Why did you bring less pressure against CSU?
"Just a matchup vs. Colorado State. On any given day, our identity will change a little bit in terms of pressure. We are sometimes in between, based on what we think their threats are, and what their weaknesses are.
To this point, for the most point, I think we have managed it well."
Was last year's game against Utah State competitive?
"I think Utah State was very competitive. Not only was the team competitive, their fans were certainly into the game. As I remember, I don't remember much from the game, but I do remember the end. And Utah State was trailing, and trailing by a fairly large margin. Yet the fans were clearly behind their team by supporting them right to the end in a pretty chaotic environment. So I was impressed."
------------------------
Mendenhall might have been impressed by how USU fans stuck around to the end of the 34-14 loss (BYU led 34-0 heading into the fourth quarter) and how some fans ran onto the field to "celebrate" the 20-point loss, but BYU defensive end Jan Jorgensen used other words to describe the atmosphere last year in Logan.
"Yeah, I do remember that," said Jorgensen, when asked if remembered the fans' reaction. "It is more comical, I think, than anything else."
Jorgensen, whose father, Jeff, played for Utah State, said playing BYU is like a bowl game for the Aggies.
"I remember us playing really well in the first half, and then kind of falling into a lull the second half. It is something we can't do this year," he said.
12:03 PM
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6 Comments:
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Some readers have disputed my account that "some fans ran onto the field" after the 2008 BYU-USU game and have resorted to name-calling, which is why their posts have been deleted.
It is important to note that I didn't say the entire crowd stormed the field or rushed onto the field. I said "some fans ran onto the field."
I have asked several other reporters (one who covers USU for the Tribune, two who cover BYU for other outlets) who were also there, and they, too, remember that a handful of fans were on the field celebrating after the game.
-- Jay
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