September 5, 2025 • 16 mins
Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.
Today's Co-Hosts: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin)
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Today's Co-Hosts: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin)
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Apple Podcasts:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Keeping Up with the Cougars brought to you by Odion
Men's Wear, proudly outfitting young professionals, young adults, boys and
missionaries across the globe with quality suits and apparel. Find
a location near you or odeonmenswear dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Welcome back Cougar Sports. One of three nine ninety eight
point three ESPN the fan. I'm betfruital broadcasting from our
Banterwell Studios Banterwell dot com. Get on a free Q
and A no obligation to invest Q and A with
our tax more Wealth Advisors Certified Financial Planners, NFLPA Certified
Financial Planners. They've been aiding a sporting the Blewie football
players for a while now they want to aid and
support you as well. In your question for financial stability
(00:37):
and sustainability. We're gonna get into a little keeping up
with the Cougar segment. Get to be brought to you
by Odion Men'swear, Odeon menswear dot Com. If your missionary
within the walls of your home needs a little missionary attire,
you always do you need a suit or two? You
need a bunch of slacks. He needs probably five six,
(00:58):
seven eight shirts. Why not buying Bolt can get a
discount mentioned myself for ESPN the fan when you head
on into Odeon Men's Where Odeon Men'swear dot com. They
got four locations along the Wassas Front. Fantastic missionary attire
for your missionary. They got a missionary package that'll save
you money. They've been helping out missionaries for years since
(01:21):
like twenty twelve, over twenty thousand missionaries now served. They
want to aid you and support you in getting that
wardrobe on point before you head out to thrust in
your sickle with your mic and lay it up in
store that you perisheth not. Let's get out to the
hotline and welcome in former BYU. Great defensive back he
(01:42):
played versus Stanford once upon a time at three ZHO four.
He was a transfer from Air Force. Let's welcome in
the speedster out of Trebuco Hills, California, Brandon Heeney number
thirty four.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
What's up, Brandon, my man, Ben, Great to be back,
connected man for having me on.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Always a pleasure man. Love connecting with you first and foremost.
How's the family give us an update on family work,
where you live in all that stuff?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Yeah? Absolutely, absolutely so really quick I actually live up
here in Park City, Utah. I am a work for
Salic City Fire. I am the health and Wellness captain
for the whole department. Been with the department for eighteen years.
And we have three kids. I've got a daughter thirteen,
two sons nine and seven, and my wife. She's a
(02:31):
former BIU standout soccer player. So I married Bobby Tillotson
and we have a great life up here in Park City.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Tell us about the kiddos.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Yeah, you know, so my thirteen year old daughter, she
for some reason loves football. Can you imagine that? And
she plays lacrosse and some other sports, but she has
gone all in on flag football. It's a new sport here,
high school sport in the state of Utah. This is
the first year that the state is holding a league,
(03:01):
and I'm actually helping coach the high school team up
here in Park City. So we're excited about that. And
really it's just been awesome to have a path forward
for these girls to play football. I think I bet
he should have the opportunity to play this awesome game.
And it's really fun to see my daughter come up
through those ranks and participate in it. I love it.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Man, how can the community get involved? This sounds like
a fantastic thing, and you know, you got to get
the ladies falling out on the football field. I've seen
Steve Young coach up his daughters. It sounds like you're
doing the.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Same, same thing, same thing. This is the inaugural league.
The Raiders are actually sponsoring the league, which is really cool.
So all of our uniforms have the Raider logo on it.
There's ten teams in the league and we actually kick
off the season September fifteenth at Cottonwood High School. We
have two teams at Park City because we had so
many girls come out for the team, so we had
to split up into two teams and we have a
(03:56):
two games that night, and we'll just be traveling around.
Most of the game will be held in Park City
and then down in the valley at Cottonwood and Lee
High throughout the season. It's a eight to ten game
season and then playoffs in November. So it's just the
start of something really big. And what we found is
the demand these girls. Just culturally in America, it's football
is part of the culture, and these girls have been
(04:17):
watching their dads and their brothers watch this game and
play this game, and they've been there by the sides
and now they have an avenue to get out on
this field and play it too. And I tell you what,
they are good. They are really good. And it's fun.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Love that Brandon Haney, former BYU great defense, was back talking,
just getting caught up with him his family and they
get to talk to some ball here, Brandon BYU. Stanford,
what do you recall about those battles once upon the
time three to four?
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Absolutely? So, you know, my biggest recollection of Stanford is
they play assignment sound football. They were big, they were disciplined,
they were smart, which is no surprise, right, And you
couldn't make mistakes against Stanford, and if you threw the
interception or you blew some coverages, they were going to capitalize. Uh.
And in three we had you know, we had a
(05:04):
good defensive game, but we had some some turnovers in
that game and we weren't able to capitalize. We should
have been able to capitalize that home and Lavella Edwards,
I'm really hoping to see us take that win tomorrow
against them, a little revenge game. But then at Stanford
that next season, man, they just they blew the top
off of us, so they took a kick return back
(05:25):
in ninety seven yards for a touchdown and then the
game was over. After that, you can't make mistakes against
Stanford and otherwise they capitalize.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Yeah, it's uh, it's always uh an interesting battle with
those that kind of mirror who b YU has been
in recruiting right like same similar you went to Air Force.
There's a little bit of a common theme of culture,
you know, personalities in the locker room a little bit.
There's some equivalent scenes. But amongst those three teams. Now,
(05:54):
b YU typically really good in the trench warfare game
with offensive defensive lines some big guys. Air Force not
so much due to those restrictions of high weight, I
guess when you're heading into the Air Force. But Stamford
has has some mirrored talents. I would say on.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
The other side, absolutely, they you know, they know who
they are. They have an identity, and that was going
back to when we played them, and that really paved
the way for then Harbaugh came in as a coach
and then Brian Shaw continued that and they just have
a legacy of establishing who they are and you have
to match that and you have to beat them with
your own game. And I think going back to three
(06:30):
h four was a tail end of Croton's career, same
as mine. My career spanned the same with as Crotin's
and with some QB injuries and the inability just to
establish an identity and a culture. Those stronger culture teams
are going to win and they have the edge up
and so we lost some of that those the last
(06:51):
couple of years of curtain. Fortunately for the program itself,
we had Bronco within the coaching ranks and was able
to establish his culture and he set that identity, but
we we kind of lost that for a couple of years.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Hey, Brandon and Sean here and this is game too
obviously for both of these teams. Stanford obviously started a
little bit earlier Week zero game at Hawaii BYU opening
up last week against Portland State and SCS team. Was
there anything from last week's game against the Vikings that
maybe by you can kind of take and translate into
(07:27):
playing let's be totally realized a significant step up in competition,
going from the lower tier of the SCS to a
powerful opponent in Stanford.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
You know, it's just it's confidence and it's it's believing
in yourself, believing in your team, believing what you have
done throughout this offseason. And this is a it was
a pivotal coming out game for you know, a freshman QB.
And that was a great opponent to start the season with.
And so we just have to I think, even though
we may we're not going to face another you know,
talent level like Porton State, we can take what we
(07:59):
learned from and that's the confidence and that's the ability
to turn that into momentum going up against Stanford. I
think that would be the biggest takeaway.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
What do you recall about that era, that Gary Croton era?
Why is it that you guys had so much talent?
You guys are a great You guys had a great
set of football players and some great recruits come through,
some ended up in the NFL and and there was
a lot of success there. But what was it that
that limited maybe that that three to four team for
(08:29):
meeting its potential.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Yeah, and I you know, I think injury had to
do with it. We had a little bit of a
quarterback carousel, and to nobody's fault, right, we just had
some injuries at the quarterback position and forced John Beck
to play as a true freshman, and which was great
for the program, you know, three four years down the road,
but it was a tough transition period to the program
and we didn't have the long game view to see
(08:55):
it out with Coach Croton, and I think Coach Uh
he was a little bit of a journeyman coach as well,
and so he was learning his culture and his identity
and his how to establish the standard and maintain that.
But if you if you're trying to figure that out,
you know, for a couple of years, that's not the
time to do it at BUYU. And so I think
(09:15):
that translated over to some some losses that should have
been wins, and then things cut, you know, and you
don't go to bull game for a couple of years.
The standard set at UYU. We go to bull games
and we compete, and when you can't do that, you
know it's time for a new new coach, which is unfortunately.
I really like Coach Croton as a person. I love
(09:35):
my time at DOYU. We had some great athletes NFL
talent level, Aaron Francisco, Brady Papinga, and ultimately she just
couldn't have the glue to sustain some of those you know,
those storms that that you're ultimately going to face in
the season.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
You guys are also running a three three five? What
what the what? What percentage of man coverage are you
guys employing at the time. Seems like you guys are
bringing the house on every play.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Yeah, you know, I think it was.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
It was.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
It was deceptive. It was acceptive because I don't think
I played a whole lot of man coverage. If I
had my choice, man, put me up on the line
of scrimmage and just leave me one on one with
the receiver. That's how I would.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
But they didn't.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
You guys didn't play a lot of man coverage in
that three three five when Bronco came over.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
No, no, we did it. We were we were zoned,
we were we were shifting and dropping in and disguising stuff.
But we were all lined up ten yards off the ball,
eight yards off the ball, and then we were moving
from there. And so it was tough. And you get
a receiver ten yard head spart because you're trying to
disguise the back end because you're playing at three three five, right,
(10:38):
you don't have the bodies up front to man handle
and stop the run. And so it's more of a
smoke and mirrors defense than it is, you know, just
a come out of defense. And I would have for
my skill level skill set, I would have loved to
play more man demand. We just didn't have that. But
that being said, it was a fun defensive play like
we were flying around in you know, Bronto. It was
all effort all the time, somewhat to the depth tru
(11:00):
of our health on Saturdays because we were going full
speed on Thursdays and Fridays. But that was just he
was setting the tone and the culture was starting then
for his ultimate you know, taker of the program.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
A couple years later, Brandon Heeney, former BA defensive back,
talking some BYU Football here on ESPN the Fan and
a keeping Up with the Cougar segment brought to you
by Odeon Men's Where Odeon Men'swear dot Com. So, Brandon,
have you been keeping tabs on this BA you Cougar
football team? Do you have any favorite players you've enjoyed
watching on this team or in the last year's team.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
You know a little here and there. The problem is
with life once you have three kids and you're you
spread thin and your coaching three different teams, it's tough
to sit down and catch full games. But there has
been a lot of fun to catch the games when
I can. And unfortunately I haven't been to a game
in a few years now, and I would love to
make it back to Lavelle and catch a game. It
(11:58):
just hasn't had that happened recently. But I'm really excited
about the pet potential of Bear Man. I think if
you can come out as a freshman and ball like
that and play and just get some confidence and put
together a string of games this year, I mean, I
don't know what the ceiling is, you know, as a
program two, three, four years from now. You mentioned that
(12:20):
that's the most exciting part for me.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Yeah, you mentioned the true freshman John Beck being trotted out.
He eventually became a second round draft pick to the
Miami Dolphins in the National Football League. But you know,
junior and senior year was where he really took off.
As everyone grew into the system, everyone grew into maybe
the strength and conditioning room, etc. That young talent really
(12:43):
developed and Bear fortunately has a very good tenured supporting
cast offensively, defensively, in special teams, which if you're going
to start a true freshman quarterback, that's the ideal situation,
not the one that John Beck found himself in.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
No ideal, ideal ideal. And the staff just kudos to
them right building that and planning for that and having
the pieces around him so that it's not on him.
He can hand the ball off and he can run
his plays within his scope and doesn't have to extend
beyond what he is capable of right now as a
true freshman. And that's just going to build his confidence.
And that's why you love football, because it takes all
(13:18):
eleven on both sides of the ball. It's not on
one person. And so that experience on both sides of
the ball, like it takes all of us. We're one
team united in this front and as we take on
Sanford and the rest of the opponents, and so it's
not on him, which is great.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Last question for you, Brandon, who are the toughest receiver.
Who's the toughest receiver you had to guard while at
BYU And who's the toughest receiver you had to guard
when you were going against the foes of the BYU
football schedule.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Okay, so I'm going to go. Two names at YU,
both for different reasons. Number not even in order. So
my roommate Kobe Christ and send all time shifty slot receiver, right,
he's gonna shake and bake you, super hard to handle
on the inside when he's got a two way go
coming at you. And even though he didn't catch a
lot of balls against me in practice, he was awesome
(14:13):
in the games. And then number two would be Todd Watkins.
I mean his speed, just his flat out speed. You
were always just having to turn those hips and protect
yourself on the backside, which gave him the deep comeback,
which gave him the deep end, which gave him the
curl like because you had to get out of here
if you wanted to defend him over the top. So
those two definitely come to mind off the top of
(14:34):
my head. And then Mike Williams out of USC. Just
talk about a tall, lanky receiver that could use his
body and go up and get get it. You know,
six' five first five, ten that's a that's a tough.
Matchup but he you, know he was all everything AT,
usc and he tried to leave early for a good
(14:55):
reason because he was. Dynamics i'd echo those same.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Sentiments todd, One hawkins was a very tough. GUARD i
came in at five right after you graduate and had
to guard him on the scout team every single. Day
that was, tough, right very. Humbling, indeed he had.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
His track spikes on and he was just going deep
and you had to go with him and then he
just break it off and which is, good.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
No doubt about. It, Well, brandon we'll see you soon
down At Lavelle Edward. Stadium thanks for hopping on for
a little keeping up with The. Cougars and hopefully This
cougar football team can make it two in a row
and even the. Score B yu's one and two all
time against The Stanford. Cardinals so if they win, tomorrow
it's two and two and we, can you, know bring
(15:41):
balance to the force if you.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Will, absolutely let's Go. CUBES i appreciate. It, Ben thank,
You thank, You.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Brendon, Heeny ladies and. Gentlemen that was a keeping up
with The cougar segment brought to you By Odeon Menswear
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(16:07):
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we'll take a brief time. Out we'll be. Back don't go.
Anywhere this Is Cougar sports on ONE o three nine
ninety eight point three E sp and The fan
Keeping Up with the Cougars brought to you by Odion
Men's Wear, proudly outfitting young professionals, young adults, boys and
missionaries across the globe with quality suits and apparel. Find
a location near you or odeonmenswear dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Welcome back Cougar Sports. One of three nine ninety eight
point three ESPN the fan. I'm betfruital broadcasting from our
Banterwell Studios Banterwell dot com. Get on a free Q
and A no obligation to invest Q and A with
our tax more Wealth Advisors Certified Financial Planners, NFLPA Certified
Financial Planners. They've been aiding a sporting the Blewie football
players for a while now they want to aid and
support you as well. In your question for financial stability
(00:37):
and sustainability. We're gonna get into a little keeping up
with the Cougar segment. Get to be brought to you
by Odion Men'swear, Odeon menswear dot Com. If your missionary
within the walls of your home needs a little missionary attire,
you always do you need a suit or two? You
need a bunch of slacks. He needs probably five six,
(00:58):
seven eight shirts. Why not buying Bolt can get a
discount mentioned myself for ESPN the fan when you head
on into Odeon Men's Where Odeon Men'swear dot com. They
got four locations along the Wassas Front. Fantastic missionary attire
for your missionary. They got a missionary package that'll save
you money. They've been helping out missionaries for years since
(01:21):
like twenty twelve, over twenty thousand missionaries now served. They
want to aid you and support you in getting that
wardrobe on point before you head out to thrust in
your sickle with your mic and lay it up in
store that you perisheth not. Let's get out to the
hotline and welcome in former BYU. Great defensive back he
(01:42):
played versus Stanford once upon a time at three ZHO four.
He was a transfer from Air Force. Let's welcome in
the speedster out of Trebuco Hills, California, Brandon Heeney number
thirty four.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
What's up, Brandon, my man, Ben, Great to be back,
connected man for having me on.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Always a pleasure man. Love connecting with you first and foremost.
How's the family give us an update on family work,
where you live in all that stuff?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Yeah? Absolutely, absolutely so really quick I actually live up
here in Park City, Utah. I am a work for
Salic City Fire. I am the health and Wellness captain
for the whole department. Been with the department for eighteen years.
And we have three kids. I've got a daughter thirteen,
two sons nine and seven, and my wife. She's a
(02:31):
former BIU standout soccer player. So I married Bobby Tillotson
and we have a great life up here in Park City.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Tell us about the kiddos.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Yeah, you know, so my thirteen year old daughter, she
for some reason loves football. Can you imagine that? And
she plays lacrosse and some other sports, but she has
gone all in on flag football. It's a new sport here,
high school sport in the state of Utah. This is
the first year that the state is holding a league,
(03:01):
and I'm actually helping coach the high school team up
here in Park City. So we're excited about that. And
really it's just been awesome to have a path forward
for these girls to play football. I think I bet
he should have the opportunity to play this awesome game.
And it's really fun to see my daughter come up
through those ranks and participate in it. I love it.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Man, how can the community get involved? This sounds like
a fantastic thing, and you know, you got to get
the ladies falling out on the football field. I've seen
Steve Young coach up his daughters. It sounds like you're
doing the.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Same, same thing, same thing. This is the inaugural league.
The Raiders are actually sponsoring the league, which is really cool.
So all of our uniforms have the Raider logo on it.
There's ten teams in the league and we actually kick
off the season September fifteenth at Cottonwood High School. We
have two teams at Park City because we had so
many girls come out for the team, so we had
to split up into two teams and we have a
(03:56):
two games that night, and we'll just be traveling around.
Most of the game will be held in Park City
and then down in the valley at Cottonwood and Lee
High throughout the season. It's a eight to ten game
season and then playoffs in November. So it's just the
start of something really big. And what we found is
the demand these girls. Just culturally in America, it's football
is part of the culture, and these girls have been
(04:17):
watching their dads and their brothers watch this game and
play this game, and they've been there by the sides
and now they have an avenue to get out on
this field and play it too. And I tell you what,
they are good. They are really good. And it's fun.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Love that Brandon Haney, former BYU great defense, was back talking,
just getting caught up with him his family and they
get to talk to some ball here, Brandon BYU. Stanford,
what do you recall about those battles once upon the
time three to four?
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Absolutely? So, you know, my biggest recollection of Stanford is
they play assignment sound football. They were big, they were disciplined,
they were smart, which is no surprise, right, And you
couldn't make mistakes against Stanford, and if you threw the
interception or you blew some coverages, they were going to capitalize. Uh.
And in three we had you know, we had a
(05:04):
good defensive game, but we had some some turnovers in
that game and we weren't able to capitalize. We should
have been able to capitalize that home and Lavella Edwards,
I'm really hoping to see us take that win tomorrow
against them, a little revenge game. But then at Stanford
that next season, man, they just they blew the top
off of us, so they took a kick return back
(05:25):
in ninety seven yards for a touchdown and then the
game was over. After that, you can't make mistakes against
Stanford and otherwise they capitalize.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Yeah, it's uh, it's always uh an interesting battle with
those that kind of mirror who b YU has been
in recruiting right like same similar you went to Air Force.
There's a little bit of a common theme of culture,
you know, personalities in the locker room a little bit.
There's some equivalent scenes. But amongst those three teams. Now,
(05:54):
b YU typically really good in the trench warfare game
with offensive defensive lines some big guys. Air Force not
so much due to those restrictions of high weight, I
guess when you're heading into the Air Force. But Stamford
has has some mirrored talents. I would say on.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
The other side, absolutely, they you know, they know who
they are. They have an identity, and that was going
back to when we played them, and that really paved
the way for then Harbaugh came in as a coach
and then Brian Shaw continued that and they just have
a legacy of establishing who they are and you have
to match that and you have to beat them with
your own game. And I think going back to three
(06:30):
h four was a tail end of Croton's career, same
as mine. My career spanned the same with as Crotin's
and with some QB injuries and the inability just to
establish an identity and a culture. Those stronger culture teams
are going to win and they have the edge up
and so we lost some of that those the last
(06:51):
couple of years of curtain. Fortunately for the program itself,
we had Bronco within the coaching ranks and was able
to establish his culture and he set that identity, but
we we kind of lost that for a couple of years.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Hey, Brandon and Sean here and this is game too
obviously for both of these teams. Stanford obviously started a
little bit earlier Week zero game at Hawaii BYU opening
up last week against Portland State and SCS team. Was
there anything from last week's game against the Vikings that
maybe by you can kind of take and translate into
(07:27):
playing let's be totally realized a significant step up in competition,
going from the lower tier of the SCS to a
powerful opponent in Stanford.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
You know, it's just it's confidence and it's it's believing
in yourself, believing in your team, believing what you have
done throughout this offseason. And this is a it was
a pivotal coming out game for you know, a freshman QB.
And that was a great opponent to start the season with.
And so we just have to I think, even though
we may we're not going to face another you know,
talent level like Porton State, we can take what we
(07:59):
learned from and that's the confidence and that's the ability
to turn that into momentum going up against Stanford. I
think that would be the biggest takeaway.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
What do you recall about that era, that Gary Croton era?
Why is it that you guys had so much talent?
You guys are a great You guys had a great
set of football players and some great recruits come through,
some ended up in the NFL and and there was
a lot of success there. But what was it that
that limited maybe that that three to four team for
(08:29):
meeting its potential.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Yeah, and I you know, I think injury had to
do with it. We had a little bit of a
quarterback carousel, and to nobody's fault, right, we just had
some injuries at the quarterback position and forced John Beck
to play as a true freshman, and which was great
for the program, you know, three four years down the road,
but it was a tough transition period to the program
and we didn't have the long game view to see
(08:55):
it out with Coach Croton, and I think Coach Uh
he was a little bit of a journeyman coach as well,
and so he was learning his culture and his identity
and his how to establish the standard and maintain that.
But if you if you're trying to figure that out,
you know, for a couple of years, that's not the
time to do it at BUYU. And so I think
(09:15):
that translated over to some some losses that should have
been wins, and then things cut, you know, and you
don't go to bull game for a couple of years.
The standard set at UYU. We go to bull games
and we compete, and when you can't do that, you
know it's time for a new new coach, which is unfortunately.
I really like Coach Croton as a person. I love
(09:35):
my time at DOYU. We had some great athletes NFL
talent level, Aaron Francisco, Brady Papinga, and ultimately she just
couldn't have the glue to sustain some of those you know,
those storms that that you're ultimately going to face in
the season.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
You guys are also running a three three five? What
what the what? What percentage of man coverage are you
guys employing at the time. Seems like you guys are
bringing the house on every play.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Yeah, you know, I think it was.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
It was.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
It was deceptive. It was acceptive because I don't think
I played a whole lot of man coverage. If I
had my choice, man, put me up on the line
of scrimmage and just leave me one on one with
the receiver. That's how I would.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
But they didn't.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
You guys didn't play a lot of man coverage in
that three three five when Bronco came over.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
No, no, we did it. We were we were zoned,
we were we were shifting and dropping in and disguising stuff.
But we were all lined up ten yards off the ball,
eight yards off the ball, and then we were moving
from there. And so it was tough. And you get
a receiver ten yard head spart because you're trying to
disguise the back end because you're playing at three three five, right,
(10:38):
you don't have the bodies up front to man handle
and stop the run. And so it's more of a
smoke and mirrors defense than it is, you know, just
a come out of defense. And I would have for
my skill level skill set, I would have loved to
play more man demand. We just didn't have that. But
that being said, it was a fun defensive play like
we were flying around in you know, Bronto. It was
all effort all the time, somewhat to the depth tru
(11:00):
of our health on Saturdays because we were going full
speed on Thursdays and Fridays. But that was just he
was setting the tone and the culture was starting then
for his ultimate you know, taker of the program.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
A couple years later, Brandon Heeney, former BA defensive back,
talking some BYU Football here on ESPN the Fan and
a keeping Up with the Cougar segment brought to you
by Odeon Men's Where Odeon Men'swear dot Com. So, Brandon,
have you been keeping tabs on this BA you Cougar
football team? Do you have any favorite players you've enjoyed
watching on this team or in the last year's team.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
You know a little here and there. The problem is
with life once you have three kids and you're you
spread thin and your coaching three different teams, it's tough
to sit down and catch full games. But there has
been a lot of fun to catch the games when
I can. And unfortunately I haven't been to a game
in a few years now, and I would love to
make it back to Lavelle and catch a game. It
(11:58):
just hasn't had that happened recently. But I'm really excited
about the pet potential of Bear Man. I think if
you can come out as a freshman and ball like
that and play and just get some confidence and put
together a string of games this year, I mean, I
don't know what the ceiling is, you know, as a
program two, three, four years from now. You mentioned that
(12:20):
that's the most exciting part for me.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Yeah, you mentioned the true freshman John Beck being trotted out.
He eventually became a second round draft pick to the
Miami Dolphins in the National Football League. But you know,
junior and senior year was where he really took off.
As everyone grew into the system, everyone grew into maybe
the strength and conditioning room, etc. That young talent really
(12:43):
developed and Bear fortunately has a very good tenured supporting
cast offensively, defensively, in special teams, which if you're going
to start a true freshman quarterback, that's the ideal situation,
not the one that John Beck found himself in.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
No ideal, ideal ideal. And the staff just kudos to
them right building that and planning for that and having
the pieces around him so that it's not on him.
He can hand the ball off and he can run
his plays within his scope and doesn't have to extend
beyond what he is capable of right now as a
true freshman. And that's just going to build his confidence.
And that's why you love football, because it takes all
(13:18):
eleven on both sides of the ball. It's not on
one person. And so that experience on both sides of
the ball, like it takes all of us. We're one
team united in this front and as we take on
Sanford and the rest of the opponents, and so it's
not on him, which is great.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Last question for you, Brandon, who are the toughest receiver.
Who's the toughest receiver you had to guard while at
BYU And who's the toughest receiver you had to guard
when you were going against the foes of the BYU
football schedule.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Okay, so I'm going to go. Two names at YU,
both for different reasons. Number not even in order. So
my roommate Kobe Christ and send all time shifty slot receiver, right,
he's gonna shake and bake you, super hard to handle
on the inside when he's got a two way go
coming at you. And even though he didn't catch a
lot of balls against me in practice, he was awesome
(14:13):
in the games. And then number two would be Todd Watkins.
I mean his speed, just his flat out speed. You
were always just having to turn those hips and protect
yourself on the backside, which gave him the deep comeback,
which gave him the deep end, which gave him the
curl like because you had to get out of here
if you wanted to defend him over the top. So
those two definitely come to mind off the top of
(14:34):
my head. And then Mike Williams out of USC. Just
talk about a tall, lanky receiver that could use his
body and go up and get get it. You know,
six' five first five, ten that's a that's a tough.
Matchup but he you, know he was all everything AT,
usc and he tried to leave early for a good
(14:55):
reason because he was. Dynamics i'd echo those same.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Sentiments todd, One hawkins was a very tough. GUARD i
came in at five right after you graduate and had
to guard him on the scout team every single. Day
that was, tough, right very. Humbling, indeed he had.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
His track spikes on and he was just going deep
and you had to go with him and then he
just break it off and which is, good.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
No doubt about. It, Well, brandon we'll see you soon
down At Lavelle Edward. Stadium thanks for hopping on for
a little keeping up with The. Cougars and hopefully This
cougar football team can make it two in a row
and even the. Score B yu's one and two all
time against The Stanford. Cardinals so if they win, tomorrow
it's two and two and we, can you, know bring
(15:41):
balance to the force if you.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Will, absolutely let's Go. CUBES i appreciate. It, Ben thank,
You thank, You.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Brendon, Heeny ladies and. Gentlemen that was a keeping up
with The cougar segment brought to you By Odeon Menswear
odeon menswear dot. Com if you're a, missionary you've been
called to, serve you can get a free gift whenever
you head on end To Odeon. Menswear bring your with.
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(16:07):
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we'll take a brief time. Out we'll be. Back don't go.
Anywhere this Is Cougar sports on ONE o three nine
ninety eight point three E sp and The fan
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