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Provo • After his team handled Virginia 41-33 to improve to 4-0 and then enjoyed a bye week it really didn't need, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall conducted a press briefing on Sept. 29 as the Cougars turned their attention to Utah State.
He answered more questions about his perception of the health of USU quarterback Chuckie Keeton than any queries about injuries to his own team, because, well, there weren't many - and none were significant.
Two weeks later, consecutive losses to Utah State and Central Florida - and the injuries suffered in those games - have turned BYU's dream season into a nightmare.
The second half of the season begins Saturday when BYU plays host to Nevada (3-3) at LaVell Edwards Stadium (8:15 p.m. MDT, ESPN2).
It would be hard to find a two-game stretch in the 10-year Mendenhall era that has seen so many Cougars suffer such significant health setbacks.
"They are unified and they are tough," Mendenhall said after the 31-24 overtime loss at UCF when asked to describe the morale of his team. "They are determined, and they want to improve. They will be [eager] to play again, just like they were tonight. That's what I learned this evening, and I am looking forward to coaching them again. I am disappointed we lost the game, but I liked watching my team play tonight."
Still, they are a shell of their former selves, and the run of bad luck seemed to start when quarterback Taysom Hill left the USU game in the second quarter with a fractured leg. Hill is one of about 10 starters who were deemed ready to play against the Aggies, but six nights later couldn't play in the overtime session against the Knights, due to injury.
It's not just the number of injuries that have destroyed some lofty hopes this season, it is who is sustaining them. The injuries have grounded BYU's best players.
Star running back Jamaal Williams sprained his ankle against the Aggies and played in just one series against UCF, getting one carry, before leaving the game for good. Senior safety and captain Craig Bills went out with a concussion in the first half. Cornerback Jordan Johnson broke his arm trying to tackle UCF quarterback Justin Holman early in the game and kick returner Adam Hine sprained an ankle in the second half.
Then there are the starters who couldn't even suit up Thursday night: linebacker Alani Fua (ankle), inside receiver Terenn Houk (neck), safety Dallin Leavitt (ankle) and offensive lineman Brayden Kearsley (ankle). Also, juco transfer Nick Kurtz (broken foot), whom coaches were hoping would give backup quarterback Christian Stewart another playmaker to target, suffered a setback and will now seek a medical hardship waiver.
Linebacker Bronson Kaufusi and receiver Jordan Leslie are giving it a go on gimpy ankles.
To their credit, neither Mendenhall nor offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who generally makes himself available in the post game interview room after losses, but not after wins, would offer up the injury excuse last week for the sudden drop in play.
"I am sure there is always an opportunity to lay blame in a loss, but I am going to resist that with myself, my coaches and players, and look at this as an opportunity [for other players to gain experience and improve]," Anae said.
Nevada (3-3) enters Saturday's game having lost 31-24 to Colorado State in Reno. The Wolf Pack trailed 31-3 in the third quarter before scoring 21 unanswered points. Quarterback Cody Fajardo threw the ball 50 times, completing 27 for 297 yards, but his 50th throw was picked off in the end zone by CSU's Deandre Elliott.
Still, he's one of the better QBs the Cougars will face this season, having thrown for 259 yards and a TD in last year's 28-23 loss to BYU in Reno.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Nevada at BYU
P Saturday, 8:15 p.m.
TV • ESPN2