Story Created:
Oct 17, 2009
Story Updated:
Oct 17, 2009
PK BLOG
The word among recruits surely is out now - come to BYU, where the head coach will thrust himself into the center of controversy to spare you any grief.
Two weeks ago, Bronco Mendenhall did just that for Max Hall, criticizing the portion of the fan base that had begun to turn on the senior quarterback. You know the comments by now, the biting critique of the fans’ education level relative to their right to blast Hall for his slew of interceptions.
Forget all the nonsense that the players and coaches don’t listen to or read the criticism. Bull dinky.
Hall and Mendenhall knew full well of the growing unrest that had begun to settle at the foot of Y mountain. Mendenhall never shots from the hip.
With one sentence, all the wrath suddenly flowed to the coach. The burden was lifted from Hall, who no doubt appreciated such public support from the boss.
Pure genius from Mendenhall.
I’m crazy, you say? Check the facts.
Over the first five games, Hall had thrown 10 interceptions, a number that disgusted all connected to the Cougars. In the two games since Mendenhall stuck up for the team leader, Hall has not thrown an interception.
When in doubt, throw the ball away. Or use your legs to make a play. Even the dumbest fan can’t help but notice.
The difference? Coaching.
Responding to Mendenhall’s appropriate touch, which set the tone for offensive coordinator Robert Anae and quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman, Hall has been sensational the last two games.
His latest sterling performance came Saturday, when he completed 27 of 39 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns in BYU’s 38-28 win over San DiegoState. One week earlier, in the win over UNLV, Hall completed 21 of 27 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns.
Add up the numbers: 48 for 66 for 666 yards and five touchdowns. Devilish statistics, indeed.
Lousy competition, you say? Tulane and UtahState – two teams that each intercepted Hall multiple times - aren’t knocking the door of the Top 10 any time soon.
After the game, on the Qualcomm field, Mendenhall told a television audience that BYU was fortunate to have Hall at quarterback. The shepherd understands his flock.
A record of 38-8 over the last four years doesn’t lie. His message, however convoluted some may think it is, continues to get through.
Mendenhall’s touch with Hall mirrored the San DiegoState game. At times, the Cougars looked awfully average against a team that has become a joke the last several years.
Instead of storming the sidelines or making radical changes, Mendenhall stayed with his usual course. The result was BYU turned back San DiegoState’s best effort under first-year coach and resident Mountain West tough guy Brady Hoke.
The defense, which gave up 298 yards and three touchdowns to Ryan Lindley, made the necessary stops it needed to keep BYU from sweating on a hot day in America’s finest city. The tremendous play of linebacker Jordan Pendleton and defensive backs Scott Johnson and Brian Logan offset the sometimes shaky pass coverage.
Despite two horrible efforts on fourth-and-short situations, which both resulted in losing the ball on downs, the offense provided ample breathing room each time the Aztecs entertained thoughts of an upset.
Overall, this was far from BYU’s best effort. But the game shouldn’t have damaged the team’s confidence going into next week’s showdown against undefeated TCU.
Mendenhall will make sure of it.
