There were a lot of players who received a handful for votes, but it was a landslide in terms of volume for both Bronson and Taysom. – BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said.
PROVO — BYU will make due with just two captains, one on offense and one for defense, this season in lieu of the traditional four. The two captains, announced by coach Bronco Mendenhall on Monday, are senior quarterback Taysom Hill and senior defensive end Bronson Kaufusi.
So why just two instead of the normal four this season? According to Mendenhall, the decision was based on a lopsided vote.
“The voting (was) similar to back in the days when it was John Beck and Cameron Jensen," Mendenhall said. "There were a lot of players who received a handful for votes, but it was a landslide in terms of volume for both Bronson and Taysom.”
Mendenhall stated that there will also be a special teams captain named on a week-by-week basis throughout the season.
As for his two named captains on offense and defense, Mendenhall endorsed how his players voted.
“I feel really good about both those players, knowing that they’re real quality players,” Mendenhall said. “But man, they’re BYU in every way. So I think we have really good leadership.”
For Kaufusi, being voted a captain came as a bit of a surprise, but it's a post he intends to take seriously throughout the coming year.
“Being a team captain (means) you just have to work,” Kaufusi said. “Work, earn peoples’ respect and it’s whatever the team wants. So, for me, I definitely feel honored to be a team captain, it’s very humbling for me. But, for me, you need to get to that next level so I can be that leader that everyone wants and needs me to be.”
Suspensions to be revealed: Mendenhall has not disclosed specific suspensions for the season opener against Nebraska, other than that of linebacker Sione Takitaki. On Monday, he stated no plans to do as much leading up to Saturday's game.
“I don’t plan to announce it until after the game, not before the game,” Mendenhall said.
Mendenhall then spoke of why he's handled disciplinary issues within his team the way he has.
"The suspensions, or the issues, happened so long ago, and quite frankly if it were up to me completely, I am not sure you can punish the kids more than they have already been punished, in terms of the scrutiny," Mendenhall said. "What are we going to do to them now that is going to make more of a point? So I am not the only one who makes the decisions in this case, but as far as I am concerned, with the attention and what the players get, and rightly so at BYU, I don't know what else needs to happen for them to have learned their lesson. It is hard for me to watch, but we will move forward whenever this game is over."
Game on: The Cougars kick off the season against Nebraska this Saturday with players expressing excitement and confidence while addressing the press on Monday. While always feeling excited for an upcoming season, players feel a greater sense of unity within the team this year than in seasons prior.
“I think everyone is united with the same goal and we all want the same thing," Kaufusi said. "Everyone has been practicing like it, so with that, you become more confident.”
According to defensive lineman Travis Tuiloma, the greater sense of unity began during offseason workouts with the team's new strength and conditioning coach.
“I feel it really started with coach (Frank) Wintrich with him motivating us to motivate each other instead of doing it from other outside sources,” Tuiloma said. “So he’s been a big part of us realizing that us, as a team, we need to be more accountable to each other.”
Scholarships earned: Mendenhall also announced that two open scholarship spots were recently granted to receiver Mitchell Juergens and to running back Nate Carter.
“I love when players come and earn their way and then get a scholarship rather than come with a scholarship," Mendenhall said. "I think that is more how life works.”
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney