Brett Thompson: This Is the Place For Me
Thursday 10/15/2009 12:08:00 PM
Posted by Carey Hoki, BYU Athletic Communications



What are you looking forward to most about playing at BYU?
I am looking forward to becoming a better football player as well as receiving a great education. BYU will give me the opportunities to give service and represent this University.

What made you decide to sign with the Cougars?
I've always wanted to go on a mission and BYU gives me the best opportunity to do so. Most schools do not understand how important missions are and do not have a program like BYU for missionaries. When I first was on the BYU campus I had such a good feeling that came over me and it made me realize that this is the place for me.



What was it like playing in your first game as a Cougar?
The feeling of running out of the tunnel was overwhelming and took my breath away. Running out onto the field with my teammates side by side was amazing.

What have you enjoyed most so far about playing football at BYU?
What I have enjoyed most about playing football for BYU is the opportunities it gives me to meet new people. I love the Thursday's Hero program and how our team takes the time to recognize true heroes.

What are your goals this season?
My goals include contributing to the team as much as I have to offer. I want to get better everyday and work for a national championship.


Visit Brett's bio page here.

Riley Stephenson: No Better Way to Start My College Career
Thursday 10/08/2009 12:03:00 PM
Posted by Carey Hoki, BYU Athletic Communications



What are you looking forward to most about playing at BYU?
To be able to play at this great university and be able to have another chance to further my kicking career.

What made you decide to sign with the Cougars?
After visiting other colleges there wasn't a college that had the same peaceful respectful feeling that BYU had. I think that's what set it apart from other colleges I visited. That and coach Mendenhall had turned the program around. This was also the only college that work with me on serving a mission.

What was it like playing in your first game as a Cougar?
The first game I was able to play in was in the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium versus the Sooners! I can't think of a better way to start your career playing at BYU than that! The first kick I had in that game was five yards deep in our own end zone. Right from the beginning I had to start with a kick like that which is not the easiest thing to do, especially when it's your first kick of your college career. It was awesome though, no pressure. Ha ha!



What have you enjoyed most so far about playing football at BYU?
Just having the opportunity to be able to play as a freshman and being around the football players and coaches is great, along with being able to play under the direction of coach Mendenhall

What are your goals this season?
My first goal is to stay healthy, second is to maintain a good punting average and hopefully be able to get my kickoffs to go deep into the end zone consistently! I want to be able to perform the best I can when called on in the game.


Visit Riley's bio page here.

Robbie Buckner: Best Experience of My Life
Thursday 10/01/2009 01:14:00 PM
Posted by Carey Hoki, BYU Athletic Communications



How do you feel heading into the 2009 season since returning from your mission to Mozambique?
Serving a mission was the best experience of my life. We all do many things but serving a mission will top them all. It teaches you discipline, hard work and helps you come closer to your Lord and Savior. Heading into this season will be something great. Of course I have to shake off the mission rust, but it will be a great experience to improve and will be a great challenge. One of my greatest challenges that I had was on my mission. Just serving where I served was something difficult because of the difference in culture there and the way of life that I had to adapt to. I'm looking forward to this year so that I can just improve to help the team any way I can.


Visit Robbie's bio page here.

Riley Nelson: Achievable Success
Thursday 9/24/2009 12:32:00 PM
Posted by Carey Hoki, BYU Athletic Communications



What are you looking forward to most about playing here at BYU?
I'm looking forward to the success that is attainable through the football program at BYU. Obviously the success on the field is something that is very important to me because it is what takes the level of fun you can have to the next level. It's easy to have tons of fun playing football when you're seeing the fruits of your labors through wins.

There is achievable success in many other forums here at BYU. There are a lot of eyes on the the program and individual players which can be looked at as a positive or a negative. If you take that as a positive you realize that you can have a profound effect on many people--especially the youth. I remember when I was young, idolizing not only college and pro players but even some local high school stars. Now I realize that there are loads of young kids looking to us as examples. We can influence them for good and that is a great form of success that I am looking forward to here at BYU.



What are your goals for the season?
My goals for the season start with the team goals of winning the state, winning the conference and winning a bowl game. Personally my goals are centered around my role in helping accomplish those team goals. As a back-up I see it as a responsibility of mine to bring energy and enthusiasm to every meeting, practice, and game. It is also my responsibility to prepare to the highest level so that I am prepared if called upon. It is a goal of mine to make it as smooth of a transition for the offense if I am called upon.


Visit Riley's bio page here.

Romney Fuga: I'm Committed to This Program
Thursday 9/17/2009 01:28:00 PM
Posted by Carey Hoki, BYU Athletic Communications



What are some memorable moments from your mission to Madagascar?
Some of the most memorable moments from my mission would have to be being and working with the members. They had awesome members who were just so fun to be around and to do activities with. They just knew how to have a party. The members were also just so enthusiastic about missionary work and would always be willing to help the missionaries teach and give us referrals. A lot of success that I saw during my mission was because of the help that members gave. They are just awesome people to be around and are so excited about the Gospel.




How has serving a mission changed you and helped you prepare for the season?
A way that the mission has helped me prepare for the season is that it has taught me how to manage my time more efficiently. With school and football at the same time, the schedule can be a bit hectic. I'm just glad that I learned some time management skills so I can give both areas the required attention. It also helped me to realize that I was not giving enough of myself and that I needed to do more. It helped me to be more determined and committed to this program and even more committed to myself.

What are your goals this season?
My goals for the 2009 season are to do the best that I can and contribute to the team as much as I can. I want to be someone that my teammates can trust to do their assignment and perform it well whenever I would go on the field.


Visit Romney's bio page here.