Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/75050
6. BRIGHAM YOUNG OCT. 20 2011 record: 10-3 Last Meeting: Notre Dame 49, BYU 23 (2005) Impact Player: LB Kyle Van Noy — The junior led BYU in interceptions, sacks and tackles for loss coach Bronco Mendenhall. Mendenhall took over the defensive coordinator duties after a down year in 2009, and the team has won 15 of 19 since last season from his spot at outside linebacker. He has a tendency to operate outside the system at times, but always seems to be in position to make a big play when the Cougar defense needs it most. Outlook: The Cougars, who have won less than 10 games only once since 2006, have a strong foundation under head then. This year's defense will feature the same group of linebackers that led the team to a top-20 rushing defense in 2011. Van Noy and senior middle linebacker Brandon Ogletree combined to make 144 tackles last season. The secondary has some holes to fill before September, but BYU's defense should be strong again this year. Wide receivers Cody Hoffman and Ross Apo will be among the most-talented duos the Irish face all year. Hoffman catches anything near him. He finished last year with 943 yards and 10 touchdowns. He and Apo will get plenty of work in a pass- heavy offense this year that lacks an electric running back or a dominant line. Spring Storyline: Senior Riley Nelson wrestled the starting quarterback job away from Jake Heaps (now at Kansas) last year with his running ability and lack of concern for his own well-being. Nelson has suffered some major injuries in his career, including broken ribs and a collapsed lung last year. He spent the spring trying to play more efficiently in the tradi- tional role of a BYU quarterback in order to avoid injury in his final season. PHOTO BY MARK PHILBRICK/BYU PHOTO JUNE/JULY 2012 73