The Bronco Effect

Here is an analysis of the Cougar defense in 2010 by game. The games will be divided up into the games before and the games after Coach Mendenhall took over the defense. They will be labeled as Pre-Bronco and Post-Bronco respectively.


Pre- Bronco


Rushing Yards Allowed
vs Washington-   128
@ Air Force-      409
@ Florida State- 278
vs Nevada-         239
@ Utah State-     242


Passing Yards Allowed
vs Washington-   266
@ Air Force-      65
@ Florida State- 149
vs Nevada-         196
@ Utah State-     192


Average rushing yards allowed per game: 259.2
Average passing yards allowed per game: 173.6
Average total yards allowed per game:      433.4 
Average first downs allowed per game:     20.6


Post-Bronco


Rushing Yards Allowed 
vs SDSU-      53
@ TCU-        108
vs  Wyoming- 63
vs UNLV-      22


Passing Yards Allowed
vs SDSU-      220
@ TCU-        273
vs Wyoming-  110
vs UNLV-      122


Average rushing yards allowed per game: 61.5
Average passing yards allowed per game: 181.25
Average total yards allowed per game:      242.75
Average first downs allowed per game:     14.75


The Cougar defense led by Coach Mendenhall is allowing 197.7 less rush yards per game then in the previous games. It is also allowing 190.65 fewer total yards per game then before and nearly 6 less first downs per game. The defense is only allowing 7.65 more pass yards per game then before.


Now it can be argued that the overall strength of schedule of the first 5 games was tougher then the following 4 games. But what is interesting is the Cougar defense under Mendenhall held TCU, the toughest opponent, to less total yards then the average of the first 5 games.
    
    Average yards allowed in first 5 games: 433.4
    Total yards allowed against TCU:           381


That is a difference of 52 yards.


Speaking of TCU, when you don't include the BYU game TCU's average home point total is 47. BYU held TCU to 31, their lowest total at home and 2nd lowest overall. 


BYU held TCU to 108 rushing yards, their lowest total on the season by 69 yards. 


Not including the BYU game TCU averaged 256 rushing yards per game, meaning BYU held TCU to 148 less rushing yards then their average.


What does all of this information mean? Well it means that Coach Mendenhall is one heck of a defensive coach. To make this sort of turn around using the exact same players is nothing short of incredible.


Cougar Nation is in good hands with Coach Mendenhall.