Celebrating Cougars well aware of next opponent
And yet the underlying theme following BYU's 42-17 victory Saturday over New Mexico was next week's regular-season finale against Utah, a team which has beaten the Cougars four straight times.
That much was evident in four simple words stated by BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall in postgame festivities centering on the championship, the invite and the senior celebration: "We have another game," he said.
It's not lost on his players.
"That's something we've been talking about all year — just getting that win," said senior wideout Zac Collie. "We owe them big-time."
Fellow Cougar receiver Michael Reed agreed.
"Those guys have beaten us since I've been here," Reed said. "My cousin (Utah quarterback Brian Johnson) has had the opportunity to get two bowl rings now. We're just looking to go in and get a win."
BYU co-captain Cameron Jensen vowed the Cougars wouldn't be overlooking the Utes this weekend.
"That's not the character of our team," said the senior linebacker. "It's a rivalry game. We've come so far, why would we overlook anything? ... You want to go through the conference and you don't want to lose a game."
"We've been waiting for this moment for this championship to be ours, but we've also been waiting for this opportunity to get back at the team from the north," Brown said.
"We lost a close one here last year, and they danced all over our field. I don't know about the rest of the team, but that image has stuck in my head."
Brown said he feels the Cougars are too good of a team for a letdown against Utah.
"Coach Mendenhall has emphasized finishing, and this is a perfect opportunity to finish the season out the way it's supposed to be finished," he said.
The four straight BYU losses to Utah isn't just what bothers Brown.
"The thing that has gnawed at me the most is not living up to our potential," he said. "I think we've done it this year — we've seen the potential of this team.
"There were a lot of doubts and questions when Coach Mendenhall took over," he continued. "Hey, if there's doubts and questions now, I don't know what team you're watching, because this team is full of confidence, full of swagger, and we're ready to go out and win every game we're in."
So, does the outspoken Brown expect to be given the proverbial muzzle and to be reined in with this week's rivalry hype?
"They might limit my interviews, but the thoughts are still the same — and that's all that matters," he said. "We have to feel like we can go out and dominate every team we play, whether at home or away. You look at this team — we've got too many weapons not to."
E-mail: taylor@desnews.com
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