We’re thrilled to be back in this game versus not only our in-state rival, but coach Whittingham, and the University of Utah is always a good football team and has been ever since the two of us started 11 years ago. – Bronco Mendenhall
LAS VEGAS — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham and BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall will always be inextricably linked.
As everyone knows, Whittingham was nearly hired by his alma mater before he took the head coaching job with the Utes. That led to Mendenhall becoming the head coach at BYU.
Since that time, within The Rivalry, there’s been a rivalry between Mendenhall and Whittingham.
Fittingly, the two coaches, and their teams, meet in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl Saturday (1:30 p.m. MST, ABC) at a sold-out Sam Boyd Stadium in what will be Mendenhall’s final game as the Cougar coach before he moves on to Virginia.
“We’re thrilled to be back in this game versus not only our in-state rival, but coach Whittingham, and the University of Utah is always a good football team and has been ever since the two of us started 11 years ago,” Mendenhall said Friday. “Now it just happens to be in Las Vegas in a bowl setting that’s unique and different for everybody. It’s special for everyone.”
It will mark the 10th showdown between Mendenhall and Whittingham, with Whittingham having won six of nine games, including four in a row.
Both coaches can achieve significant milestones with a win Saturday.
While Mendenhall is searching for his 100th career victory, Whittingham is tied for the best bowl win percentage (88.9 percent) in NCAA history with an 8-1 record. With a win Saturday, he would stand alone with the best bowl win percentage.
On top of that, BYU (9-3) and Utah (9-3) are both trying to secure their 10-win season. It's also the first BYU-Utah football game played outside the Beehive State and their first contest since 2013 after a two-year rivalry hiatus.
And to make things even more intriguing, Whittingham’s name has surfaced as a candidate to replace Mendenhall at BYU.
Who scripts this stuff?
Of course, the coaches don’t want this game to be about them.
“It’s not about the coaches. This game is never about the coaches. It’s about the players,” Whittingham said. “The coaches are just a sidebar. There’s things going on, transition and change, but that’s not what’s important. What is important is the guys who play the game.”
The Whittingham-Mendenhall clashes have produced some classic finishes.
“Typically, this game comes down to the last series or the last play,” Whittingham said. “That’s how it’s been historically most years. Probably expect the same this year.”
Utah hasn’t lost to BYU since 2009 and is trying to extend its winning streak in the rivalry to five games. The Utes haven’t won five in a row against the Cougars since they won six straight from 1959-1964.
“Utah’s earned those victories. They don’t happen randomly," Mendenhall said. "Most of the games are close and hard-fought and it’s hard to predict how they’ll come out. I would like success against any team we play, any setting, in any context, and this one is no different.”
“The thing about this game is, the result lingers longer than (losing to or beating) USC or UCLA,” Whittingham said. “You hear about it a lot for the rest of the year. From that respect, it’s nice to not to hear about it if you don’t have to. We’re just going through our preparation like we always do.”
Whittingham’s track record shows he knows how to get his teams ready for bowl games.
“We have a model we adhere to in our bowl preparation process. A lot of hard work, a lot of gassers, a lot of extra conditioning,” he said. “A bowl game is a reward for a very good season, a chance to have some fun. But it’s also an opportunity to win a football game.”
“I think our team does a great job,” said Utah linebacker Jared Norris, “of rising to the occasion.”
Meanwhile, the Cougars are looking to send Mendenhall out a winner in his final game for BYU.
“Man, what a perfect time to rally together and get this guy his 100th win and a 10-win season,” said wide receiver Mitch Mathews.
Senior wide receiver Terenn Houk said playing Utah is a great way to finish the season.
“I couldn’t think of a better way than to play Utah in a bowl game, especially getting 10 wins and Bronco’s 100th win,” Houk said. “We didn’t think we’d ever play them this year and then suddenly, it’s a reality. It’s a cool feeling.”
EMAIL: jeffc@deseretnews.com