Coaches No. 15 2006 record 11–2 (8–0 MWC) Offensive coordinator Robert Anae | AP No. 16 Head coach Bronco Mendenhall | |
Conference Mountain West Conference | ||
The 2006 BYU Cougars football team represents Brigham Young University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars won the Mountain West Conference (MWC) championship outright with an 11–2 record (8–0 in the MWC), their first unbeaten conference play since 2001. This was also BYU's third season with at least a share of the MWC title (co-champions with CSU and Utah in 1999, and sole champions in 2001). The Cougars play their home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium, named after its legendary coach, LaVell Edwards.
Contents
Pre-season
Among the returning starters were quarterback John Beck, running back Curtis Brown, linebacker Cameron Jenson and tight end Jonny Harline.
During the season
The Cougars started the season unranked in either the Coaches Poll or the AP Poll, and would not enter the polls until they had won their eighth game. They steadily rose in the rankings mainly on the strength of an offense that finished the regular season 5th in the nation in scoring and 4th in passing yards of 323.5 per game. The key to their offense was quarterback John Beck, who was one of the nation's top quarterbacks, running back Curtis Brown, and tight end Jonny Harline. They averaged a 465.5 yards and 36.8 points per game.
The Cougars played five bowl-bound teams during the season—Boston College, their second opponent from one of the six BCS conferences; Tulsa; TCU; the New Mexico; and their conference rivals, the Utah Utes. Notably, BYU defeated TCU (then ranked #15) by 31-17 putting an end to the Horned Frogs' 13-game winning streak.
Postseason awards and citations
John Beck
Jonny Harline
Jake Kuresa
Bronco Mendenhall
Curtis Brown
Sete Aulai
Cameron Jensen
Quinn Gooch
Bryan Kehl
Jared McLaughlin
Nate Meikle