What kind of a difference do you expect the home crowd to make in a game like this?

Um, I mean, it's, it's always, it's always a, a big difference, um, you know, and a great advantage for, for us when we're at home.

Uh, you know, obviously got some rowdy fans that, that, uh, disturb the opponent offense, and, and, um, it's always, it's always, it's always great just playing at home, uh, in, in, in front of Cougar Nation.

What do you say to each other in that brotherly relationship to, to navigate the natural ups and downs of a college football season?

Uh, we're just there for each other and, and, um, I mean, just being there to talk to or, or, uh, you know, just to, just to say, "I love you," and, um, I mean, foot- football is football, and I mean, obviously family's way more important than, than, than a game, so.

Bear, um, a- as you look at where you're at now versus where you were at when you first started with the program, what, what, uh... where do you feel like you've progressed the most as a quarterback? And, and what, what role has Aaron Roderick kind of played in your development and progression, uh, since you've joined the program?

An immense role.

I mean, he, he gives me so much confidence and allows me to go out and, and play free and play my game.

Um, and then I think, think the comfortability aspect, um, just with the guys and, and in the huddle, just commanding presence, I think, think has been a, a good improvement for me and, and, um, yeah, just leading the guys w- with, with, with confidence and, and, uh, with, with kind of a, a relentlessness, um, with that as well.

Growing up, did you consider yourself a Notre Dame fan and did you, would you have wanted to play there if maybe if they had recruited you, or did they recruit you?

Uh, they, they recruited me.

Yeah.

I, um, [tsking] I mean, I was, I was just a college football fan and, and, um, end up being a Boise State fan when, when Hank was there.

you feel like you've changed the call audible? What percentage of plays would you? oh yeah

we got a lot of checks and and um yeah a lot of kills at the line of scrimmage so um yeah it's implemented in the in the play call and and so just just to get us in the best play possible for sure yeah yeah there's a you know uh whether you guys see a check or a kill um you know or you don't i mean there's a lot of checks and kills in the play call so

Where do you feel like this offense has evolved over the course of this season in terms of how it's progressed from where you guys were at fall camp?

Oh, I mean, I just think that the love that we have for each other and, you know, I think about last game and, you know, we just we had to win the game and at any means necessary.

And nobody was was was mad or complaining.

You know, we got the win.

And it's a testament to the guys and the culture and the love that we have for each other.

So

How much more do you got in the tank, Bear, as far as game plans, uh, different playbook, um, different, different prep? Is there still a lot to unfold?

Uh, for sure.

I mean, you always got, you always gotta, I mean, week to week you always, you always try and scheme up the other team.

Um, and, and, uh, even, even our bread and butter stuff too, we, we still got some stuff in the, in the bag.

What needs to happen? Uh, what, what, like, what would you say you could improve upon from tonight to the next game you play?

I mean, I, me, me personally, I made some mistakes, um, I mean, on some third downs.

And, and so, I mean, third, third downs or, or just conversion downs are, are obviously crucial, uh, to success.

So, um, having better process with that.

Can you compare, I guess, the feeling this time last year when you were going to start your first ever game in Provo versus how you're feeling for this week against Utah Tech?

Yeah, I think there was a little sense of anxiousness or just some anxiety last year.

And, you know, still a little nervous, obviously, and that's part of the game.

But I think just way more comfortable and way more confident.

And, yeah, just excited.

What can they see maybe as far as a difference that you're going to be able to show this year as far as progression and maybe just the offense in general starting in this first game?

I think just the operation before the snap.

Obviously, the play is really important, but I think the details before the play and making sure everybody's lined up, making sure the operation is clean, I think made a big jump there and just comfortable within that operation, within that process.

[graphic whooshes] Bear, how would you sum up what BYU's offense is doing best right now as you stare down game number one in a little over a week?

I think, I think we're just ...

I mean, all around, we- we're- we're a great offense.

I mean, we- we can run the ball really well, we can throw the ball really well, and, um, you know, I think, I think the un- intangibles when you look at, uh, uh, the physicality aspect, um, I mean, when you look up front, we, uh, just those guys and- and how much effort they put into to- to any play, um, I mean, just all around the offense is clicking, clicking really well, so.

What are you doing with them, uh, to pick up right where you left off with Carson Ryan last year?

Yeah.

Um, well, I was, uh...

They call it, the Polys, they call it mixing.

Bear, what have you done to ascend i- in that specific part of your game?

Well, I think it's a testament to Coach A-Rod and, and, uh, I mean, Coach Hu's kind...

Just, just kinda concepts we have in play, I mean.

Um, and then a testament to, to, to the receivers finding voids.

I mean, you, you gotta be smart to play in this offense and, um, I mean, I, I mean, like you and people giving me credit, but it, it's, it's kinda the receivers finding voids and me just kinda anticipating p- putting the ball there.

So, um, yeah, it's just a testament to, to everyone around me.

What are you doing with them, uh, to pick up right where you left off with Carson Ryan last year?

Yeah, um, well, I was, uh...

What sets him apart if you say he's the number one tailback in the country?

Well, just his...

I mean, everybody looks at, at, uh, his athletic features, but I, I think, I think the biggest thing that separates him is just his mentality and, like, it, it...

When he gets the ball in his hands, like, I'm, I'm gonna go score a touchdown.

I'm not, I'm not getting, gonna get hit, uh, you know? I'm not gonna get tackled from first contact.

You know, I'm gonna, I'm gonna run somebody over, and I, I, I just think about the Cincinnati clip where he just, like, went like this and the guy's mouthpiece is, like, flying.

Like, this dude is ferocious.

You think he's gonna have a chance this year?

So how do you handle those expectations? How do you, I guess, stay locked in to just one step at a time?

Yeah, well, I think it just comes down to, you know, our process.

And honestly, last year, internally, we had the belief that, you know, we could do something special.

And so that hasn't changed.

I mean, in the room, you know, we have high standards and high expectations for us.

So, you know, a model that we go by is just humble and hungry.

And so we're obviously...

What did you learn about yourself last year, and then what did you learn in that Big 12 championship game appearance?

young kids?

Well, we just want them to have a good time.

I mean, we're having fun too.

So just to spend a Saturday out on the field with the kids and with a lot of Cougar Nation here too.

So it's really fun.

Does it kind of blow you away how supportive BYU fans are? Yeah, I mean, this is the best fan base in the country.

Me and Tiger, we love being here.

I mean, are you able to still keep the main thing the main thing with being a quarterback here at BYU?

What is it about BYU that makes guys wanna stay with the core and not look elsewhere?

Yeah, I mean, it's just the culture and, and, uh, man, just playing for Kalani, playing for Cougar Nation.

And you know, when I, when I look around, I look at the guys who are here right now, LJ, Keanu, uh, uh, Glasmev and, and Bruce, and, and just see how much good they do for the community and, and just how good pe- how much... or how great, great of a person they are and of high character.

And, uh, it just...

You know, it's like, why would you not wanna play for these guys? Why would you not wanna give it your all when you're in between the lines? So I just, I love being at BYU.

I love representing such a great university, and I love being around great people.

take steps forward as a veteran player?

Yeah, he, uh...

What is it about BYU that makes guys wanna stay with the core and not look elsewhere?

Yeah, I mean, it's just the culture and, and, uh, man, just playing for Kalani, playing for Cougar Nation.

And you know, when I, when I look around, I look at the guys who are here right now, L.J., Keanu, uh, uh, Glasmev and, and Bruce and, and just see how much good they do for the community and, and just how good peop- how much... or how great, great of a person they are and of high character.

And, uh, it just...

You know, it's like, why would you not wanna play for these guys? Why would you not wanna give it your all when you're in between the lines? So I just, I love being at BYU.

I love representing such a great university, and I love being around great people.

take steps forward as a veteran player?

Yeah, he, uh...

Why do you love playing for him?

I just love, I mean, he's like a second dad to me.

He's that crazy uncle that you just always want to be around.

He instills just being a good person and being a family-oriented guy and being in a family-oriented environment.

I just love playing for him, and I love playing for the guys in the locker room.

It just makes me play even harder for just the guys.

What are they talking about?

Yeah, they're talking about the culture at BYU.

Where do you feel like you have taken the biggest step forward in, in expanding your quarterbacking role, whether it's deep throws down the field, um, uh, maybe specifically the pass game, where do you feel like you've grown the most there?

Yeah.

Well, I think, I think the biggest thing is just being more, more deliberate with my progressions and, and, uh, you know, and when, uh, uh, when I'm looking to, to, to my right side for, for, uh, the concept on the right side, I guess I'm dum- dumbing it down a little, but, uh, uh, you know, not, not getting off it too early or, or, or I have to get off it too early, you know, based off the coverage.

So, uh, there's a lot of things that go into it.

Uh, but yeah, just being more deliberate with my progressions and then, um, yeah, I guess just pocket presence as well.

What is it about BYU that makes guys wanna stay with the core and not look elsewhere?

Yeah, I mean, it's just the culture and, and, uh, man, just playing for Kalani, playing for Cougar Nation.

And you know, when I, when I look around, I look at the guys who are here right now, L.J., Keanu, uh, uh, Glashæv, and, and Bruce, and, and just see how much good they do for the community a- and just how good peop- how much, or how great, great of a person they are and of high character.

What did you guys end up doing? What did you and Tiger do?

Yeah, I've got family in Minnesota.

Shout out Uncle Don.

So me and my siblings and my parents started going out there.

We've been doing this for about a decade and going out to my Uncle Don's.

He's got a boat and so we go tubing, skiing.

But yeah, we went tubing almost every day and got some good contact prep in.

What best practices were you able to obtain?

What did you guys end up doing? What did you and Tiger do?

Yeah, I've got family in Minnesota.

Shout out Uncle Don.

So me and my siblings and my parents started going out there.

We've been doing this for about a decade and going out to my Uncle Don's.

He's got a boat and so we go tubing, skiing.

But yeah, we went tubing almost every day and got some good contact prep in.

What best practices were you able to obtain?

Do you like that, and, uh, is it something that, uh, i- I don't know, that, uh, puts pressure on you?

No, no.

No, no pressure.

I've actually...

Uh, I love being at BYU.

I mean, playing for, for Coach Kalani and just representing this B- this, uh, uni- this great university, um, you know, it's, obviously he's made me a better, better player, but I've become such, such a better young man and, and, uh, a better son, a better brother.

And, uh, yeah, I love, again, love representing BYU and, and just, yeah, the mission statement is to be men of service, and so just try to do anything I can to spread joy.

Um, is it just the consistency of the message? Is it the example that, you know, the way he treats people? What, how do you guys, uh, how do you guys carry that on what he teaches?

Uh, the pre-season recognition coming your way, the team's way, how fitting does it feel to have BYU thought of the way it is right now in this conference?

Yeah, I mean, we, uh, we got a lot of great guys and, uh, you know, I guess it shows with the, the pre-season kinda accolades and, uh ...

But yeah, we, we got a great defense, we got a great offense, and, uh, we got a great coaching staff.

And, uh, we love playing for Cougar Nation, so ...

You personally, if you could, uh, look at where you were a l- a year ago to now, is it night and day, or is it, is it like that?

Yeah, I mean, I think my mentality's the same in, in the sense of, I mean, our, our team motto of being just humble and hungry.

You know, being, being, uh, uh, humble for the opportunity that we've been blessed with, but also being, being hungry to, to go get more and, and to not be complacent.

Just to, to have that insatiable desire to keep going.

What was that whole process like to get you to Provo by fall?

Yeah, it was a...

Rollercoaster of emotions.

Some hard decisions were made to obviously leave Stanford and end up at BYU.

And I'm so grateful and just honored to be at such a great university.

Yeah, talking about the season, it was obviously a crazy season.

And yeah, I thought coming in, I thought we could win some games.

Yeah, so what was Aaron Roderick, the BYU offensive coordinator, able to do last year? One, and then two, how much did the offense evolve for you over the course of the year?

I know Aaron Roderick has been incredible with your development, but just talk about, even through spring ball, some of the differences that you're experiencing in the quarterback room.

Yeah, uh, well first off, love, love Coach Mitchell, and, uh, yeah, wish, wish him nothing but the best.

Um, but yeah, Co- uh, Coach Hughes has been a great transition.

Uh, he's teaching me a lot, and, uh, implementing a lot of new schemes, uh, from, from Coach Hughes's, uh, um, tenure and, and just, just his knowledge.

So, um, yeah, learn- learning a lot, and, uh, yeah, excited.

How excited were you when, uh, when LJ decided to, uh, to come back?

Yeah, very excited.

He's, uh, not, not only a, a great player, but he's just a great person.

But yeah, he's a, he's- he's a good guy.

Well, to Shep's point, Bear, losing the three leading receivers, uh, a tight end, two wide receivers, and having to rebuild, uh, one guy that caught my eye out in spring ball is Roger Salapaga.

Talk a little bit about the tight end transfers that have come in.

Yeah.

Uh, I was gonna, I was gonna mention the tight ends.

Uh, they're just, they're so versatile.

You can, you can add a hat in the run game and, uh, but then you can, you can motion them out in the perimeter.

How excited were you when, uh, when LJ decided to, uh, to come back?