Will the BYU Cougars' Passion Return This Season?

I directly link the passion and fun of playing the game with the players' abilities to make plays. If you want to know why BYU's football games have felt and looked mundane on the field, it is because big plays aren’t being made. I want you to think about Thursday night's game...

When did you see a player excited, smiling, or pumped during what transpired? I’m thinking along with you, and I can’t remember one. Wait...I think I remember Max Hall trying to jump in the air after he scored, but even then he only displayed a 13" vertical.

One time I remember distinctly demonstrating my passion for the game was in against Boston College, after I caused a fumble to help set up the tying field goal in regulation. I have a highlight clip of that play, and after it ends and Jan emerges with the ball, you can see me pounding my chest and yelling like a maniac.

That was passion, my personal expression of my passion. I know it was passion because I don’t even remember pounding my chest like that. It just happened in connection with the excitement of making a play and loving the situation.

When was the last time you saw an offensive or defensive player celebrate after a big play? Scottie celebrated after he caused a huge fumble against UCLA. There were a few offensive celebrations after some of Austin’s touchdown catches. But, in all, it is hard to think of passionate displays of excitement that aren’t from the UCLA game.

I think it's hard to really remember one because our players haven’t been simply enjoying the battle. Enjoying the aspect of "my best against your best, and we’ll see who wins." I think our team was concerned about preserving the streak, pressing to make a play in order to prove worthy of a top-10 ranking.

All of those outside factors should be secondary to playing as hard as you, can making plays, and celebrating with your team and fans.

We all want to see a few fist pumps, a few first-down signals, and a few players jumping and slapping each other's helmets. Nothing in a taunting manner, but an outward symbol that you are excited about what just happened. I remember teasing Mike Reed about some of his celebrations because he would get so excited that he would trip and fall all over himself. Where has that gone?

The first step to restoring the passion back to the field is simple—at least, it sounds simple. They need to make plays! Then let the emotion and excitement pour out uninhibited by the public's perception.

Enjoy the time you have on the field because it doesn’t last for long and it can be taken away from you in a split second. A lot of people would give life and limb to once again be put in a situation to display their love for the game.

I know Matt Allen would love to lay out on a 3rd-and-7, snagging the ball out of the air with his fingertips while still having the awareness to drag his big toe for the first down. Then he'd stand up and spin the ball, screaming with excitement. I watched him do it numerous times throughout his career, and he probably doesn’t remember the outward act of emotion, but he reacted in a manner that displayed his love and passion for the game.

Cougs, don’t wait for someone to make a play. Max, Austin, Harvey, David, Jan, Scottie, Tafuna, take the responsibility as team leaders and play-makers and simply get the job done. Prepare in a way that gives you the utmost confidence as you step on the field and then let it all hang out.

Good things will happen, and I gaurantee you will watch the game later and say, “Man, I look liked like a fool, but I loved every minute of it."