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In case you missed it, injured BYU quarterback Taysom Hill has granted a few interviews since his season-ending injury at Nebraska, and basically said in all of them that he still hasn't decided whether his football career is over, or not.

There seems to be renewed interest in Hill's decision this week after freshman Tanner Mangum suffered a non-contact hamstring injury in Saturday's 45-38 win over East Carolina.

During Monday's press briefing with Bronco Mendenhall, I asked if the coach has spoken much to Hill about the decision, and whether he plans to lobby the senior to return for one more year of eligibility.

"So he and I met, maybe a week after his injury, and there is basically three different directions, options, that he can go," Mendenhall said, presumably referring to: 1) Opting for the NFL draft, 2) Returning to BYU for a final season, or 3) Retiring from football completely and pursuing a career in the finance industry.

"Where we left it is we will let the entire season go, all the way through the bowl game, let schooling, job opportunities, NFL assessments, all that happen, get as much information as we can, and then I will advise him at that point," Mendenhall continued. "I am not going to try to persuade him. I am just going to be a sounding board and try to help him make a great decision. And that's how I would feel best, and I think that is how he would feel best, too."

Obviously, Mendenhall was asked Monday about Mangum's status for Friday's 6 p.m. game at LES against 3-2 Cincinnati. The Bearcats will be well-rested, having not played since a big win over Miami at home on Oct. 1.

"Really impressed with the way Tanner played. Our protection and our receivers did a nice job. And a key field goal by Trevor Samson. So a lot of things positive from the game. And a short week, so we are already deeply immersed into Cincinnati and we are looking forward to the upcoming game," Mendenhall said.

Asked about Hoge's strengths as a quarterback, Mendenhall said: "Man, if you go back and watch his high school film, the ability to create. He runs really well, and he does throw it well, as well. So, more of probably Taysom type offense, when Beau is in. Again, we had to customize the offense for Tanner, predominately, so there was a limited package we could do with Beau. It just has to be enough, with enough compliments to make sure we move the football effectively.

But he is a different style of quarterback, but really effective. We like him a lot."

Mendenhall acknowledged that if Mangum does play — he said the freshman is "probable" — he will probably be limited in his mobility.

"So we will have to plan on him probably being less mobile, and try to build a plan around that. If he happens to be more than that, that is just a bonus. But I think it is better that we plan for him to be less mobile than more," Mendenhall said.

BYU brought OL Ryker Mathews, WR Mitch Mathews, DT Travis Tuiloma and DE Graham Rowley to the press briefing Monday.

Here's what the Mathews boys (no relation) had to say about the quarterback situation and whether Hoge can step in and lead the team if called upon:

Ryker on their confidence in Hoge:

"I mean, of course, it takes time [to develop] no matter who is back there. You got to prepare for everything, and we have a lot of stuff to work on. I believe whoever is back there, we will still compete and play really good football."

Ryker on Hoge's personality:

"He is a little bit more of a runner. He doesn't talk a lot. He's a true freshman. He probably didn't expect to have this type of a role this soon. But he's a good player. He's a good athlete. I think if he had a little bit more preparation, he would have done a lot better on Saturday than he was probably hoping he would have done. So I think now that he kinda knows that he might have an opportunity to go into the game, he is going to prepare differently and kind of expect himself to be a contributor."

Ryker on the feeling in the huddle when Mangum came out for the last drive:

"It's a different feeling from having your starting quarterback to your backup quarterback. You know what he's going to do. When you have a true freshmen who doesn't know exactly every part of the play, you don't know what to expect from him. When you have Tanner back there, you know he's going to make the right decisions. It makes our job easier because we know if we do our job right, we won't have to worry about Tanner."

Mitch on what the team leaders and receivers can do to help Hoge:

"I think it is just building him up. He has a lot of ability. We have seen him throw. He has a great arm. Confdient kid. To throw him in the fire like that was really tough. He didn't do anything that made us go, oh no, here comes another loss.

It was one of those things where he is just young. I sent him a text last night, just building him up. Little things like that will keep him going. I am sure Tanner will be as healthy as he can be for this game.

With Beau, he is going to have to do a lot this week for us to adjust a little bit for him, so he can feel he is at his best comfort level coming into the game."

Mitch on specific things they can do for Hoge:

"Simplifying things will give him more confidence. That look that you can give him, that arm around the shoulder. The pep talk before the game. Simplifying things will help him the most, and then us making plays for him and just let him breathe deeper.

Not much you can say, really, just buoying him up and being a buddy to him. He is 5 or 6 years younger than most of us receivers. It is like he is your little brother, and he is on your team, and you just look out for him and give him that deep breath of confidence."

Mitch on whether he expects Tanner Mangum to play:

"I do, yeah. I do, for sure. If it was that bad, he wouldn't have came back into the game. I have never had a hamstring injury that bad, but seeing him limp that bad, it must have been something. But he is a super tough kid, and he is not going to be held back, in my opinion.

But whoever it is, we know we can win with him."

Hopefully, Hoge and Mangum will be able to speak to reporters on Tuesday, which is the last day for media availability this week because the game is on Friday.

Monday, Mangum was honored by the College Football Performance Awards and the Manning Award for his heroics against ECU.

The CFPA put him on its 2015 midseason watch list for the National Performer of the Year Trophy.

The Manning Award folks picked him as one of eight "Stars of the Week."