Like Notre Dame, BYU started the 2005 season with a new coach. But unlike Charlie Weis in South Bend, Bronco Mendenhall was not a new arrival in Provo, Utah.
Mendenhall had spent the previous two seasons as the Cougars’ defensive coordinator under former coach Gary Crowton.
That has been key to the team’s continuity, defensive back Spencer White said.
“From a defensive standpoint it’s been the same,” White said. “He’s had the same mentality, and what’s great about it is he’s brought it over to the whole program.
“We felt in years past there was a little division between offense and defense. This year there’s a lot of togetherness.” . . .
Notre Dame could capitalize on a takeaway mismatch Saturday.
Through the first six games, BYU’s offense has turned the ball over 13 times. The Cougars’ defense has managed just seven takeaways.
