Spotlight not easy for Mendenhall to avoid, even in Montana

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Despite an effort to get away from it all and have a relaxing summer, Bronco Mendenhall isn't safe anywhere -- even in the wilds of Montana.

BYU's head man, now entering his fourth year, was busy answering questions about his Cougars at the Green Valley Ranch Resort on Monday, after his team was picked to win the Mountain West Conference in 2008.

Mendenhall recapped his summer, which included surfing in Panama and California. Then he told a story about how on a family packing trip in the remote mountains of Montana, he found out how hard it is to get away from being the BYU football coach.

"One morning in camp there was a ranger there the outfitters knew," Mendenhall said, "The only radio station he can get out in the back country of Montana is KSL, and he'd listen to the coaches show. Then later that day, about 12 guys come riding over the hill and they're from Bountiful. They yell coming into camp, 'Is Bronco here?' And this is 30 miles into the wilderness.

"Holly (his wife) looked at me and said, 'In all times, and in all places, and in all things.' Our intent was to be away from everything, and it's just not possible. It's one of those defining moments. It's just part of the deal of being the BYU football coach. Fortunately, we're winning now. If we weren't, those things would be a lot harder."

• The more things change ...:There's one football coach who is ultimately qualified to talk about the 10 years the Mountain West Conference has been in existence, and that's New Mexico's Rocky Long.

Long is the only coach remaining from the group that kicked things off back in 1999.

"When I started in this league and came to the first meetings, there was John Robinson at UNLV, LaVell Edwards at BYU, Sonny Lubick at Colorado State, Fisher DeBerry at Air Force, Ted Tollner at San Diego State, Ron McBride at Utah -- there were some great coaches. Of course, LaVell decided what we would do all the time."

Long said he felt like the current MWC is making progress, especially with the television contract.

"Every one of our (New Mexico's) games will be seen nationally," Long said, "and that's one of the biggest pluses for this league. Once the TV contract gets better, everyone will see we can play."

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the league is improving and could be in for a big year in 2008.

"We have a chance this year to have three teams in the Top 25," Whittingham said. "The TV situation goes a long way in our exposure and credibility. The thing we have to do is win the non-conference games."

Some of those non-conference games include Utah at Michigan, UCLA at BYU, San Diego State at Notre Dame, TCU at Oklahoma and UNLV at Arizona State.

Wyoming's Joe Glenn likened the MWC to a water skier trying to get up in the water.

"There's not much difference between right here (almost all the way up) and getting planed out," Glenn said.

• Newcomers: Mendenhall said Atem Bol, a Sudanese wide receiver who played high school football in Texas, failed to make qualifying scores and will likely enroll at Snow College. In the next couple of days, Mendenhall expects to hear about the final grades for San Mateo, Calif., running back Sete Pohahau, another player who has yet to qualify.

Junior college transfer Bernard Afutiti, a defensive end, is already working out with the team on the BYU campus. Offensive lineman Jesse Taufi, another JC transfer, will arrive with the other newcomers when practice starts Aug. 1.

• On the mend: Sophomore nose tackle Russell Tialavea, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, should be ready for 2008 fall camp.

Mendenhall said Tialavea, who was injured during a scrimmage before the 2007 season, has been training hard and showing better work ethic than at any time in his career.

"He's dropped 30 pounds and he'd down to 305," Mendenhall said.

Tialavea was a starter during the 2006 season.

"When he's healthy, he's great," BYU defensive end Jan Jorgensen said. "In a lot of games when he steps on the field, he's the best player out there."

Mendenhall said starting guard Travis Bright, a senior, and junior guard Garrett Reden are doing well and on track to be ready for fall camp. Both players suffered injuries last season, with Bright's broken leg coming in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Mendenhall said junior wide receiver Ryan Neeley and junior defensive back Chris Warner are "questionable" for the start of fall camp because of injury.

• More than a rumor: After spring football, former Timpview standout Luke Ashworth came to Mendenhall to ask for a chance to switch from wide receiver to safety. Ashworth is actually listed in the BYU press guide as a defensive back. But Mendenhall said Ashworth would be at receiver when fall camp begins.

"That's the best place for him and the best place for him to help our team," Mendenhall said.

• Earned his spot: Utah's Louie Sakoda is probably the first kicker or punter to represent his team at the MWC meetings.

"That speaks to the level of respect we have for him on this football team," Whittingham said. "In my opinion he's the best dual-threat kicker in the country. He deserves to be here."

Two former Utah County players -- defensive end Paul Kruger (Timpanogos) and tight end Colt Sampson (Pleasant Grove) -- figure to have a big impact for the Utes in 2008. Kruger, who suffered injuries when he and a group of friends were jumped by attackers with knives this summer, appears to be ready to go.

"Paul is 100 percent recovered," Whittingham said. "He's a tremendous talent, an all-conference caliber guy."

Kruger, just a sophomore, was named to the preseason All-MWC defensive team.

"Colt is a fifth-year senior," Whittingham continued. "He had a knee injury last year and we lost him for four or five games. He's right in the mix for starting tight end with Brad Clifford (6-foot-4, 245 pounds, So.), Chris Joppru (6-6 255 Jr.) and Dudley LaPorte (6-3 250 Jr.). When we got Colt he was 202 pounds, now he's 250. He's done a good job in the weight room and we're looking for a productive senior year from Colt."

• Familiar opener: TCU and New Mexico begin MWC play early. The two teams face each other on opening weekend (Aug. 30) in Albuquerque.

"We have to be at a high emotional level for that game," TCU coach Gary Patterson said. "The last two years when we've played Texas Tech and Baylor, we've had be at that same kind of level. We respect New Mexico on both sides of the ball. If you can win that first league game, it's definitely a boost. From our first practice, that has to be our focus."

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Read his blog at http://blogs.heraldextra.com/Darnell