The first question for BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall during his school's afternoon podium session at MWC Media Days dealt with Utah's departure for the Pac-10. Asked if he was "surprised or hurt," Bronco said neither emotion applied.

What followed was the restatement of BYU's place on the college athletics landscape, within the context of Utah's departure for the Pac-10.

"(It's) the acknowledgment... that the future (of the rivalry) will be different. There's no way the rivalry can remain quite the same, when you consider both teams not being in the same league and the game not being played as the last game of the season. I'm not saying the rivalry goes away, but to say that it won't change in some degree, that's likely (to happen)."

"BYU isn't any other place; there are some conferences that quite frankly don't want a faith-based institution, regardless of performance, regardless of how many people are in the stands, regardless of how many games are won, regardless of the tradition, conferences look for alignment as well."

"We always have made it very clear we are very unique; we'll continue to play our way into any opportunities we can get, but really nothing has changed for BYU. We're very clear on who we are, what we represent and how we're going to play. We don't measure ourselves against anyone else, as much as others would like to measure Utah against BYU or vice versa; I won't acknowledge that, and I won't do that."

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You can hear all of Bronco's podium remarks plus those of Andrew Rich and Matt Reynolds by clicking on the audio links in the "Cougar Cuts" box to the upper right.

You can also find a group interview Bronco did with reporters immediately after his podium session, during a few interesting notes emerged. Among them:

LB Uona Kaveinga may be able to play for BYU this fall. BYU has filed a petition for a waiver that is being granted players who chose to transfer from USC after NCAA punished the Trojan football program. Mendenhall says BYU should know about the waiver decision by the end of next week. He adds that while Kaveinga transferred to BYU before sanctions were announced, some of his reasons for transferring to BYU "fit in" with events that precipitated the sanctions.

Even if Kaveinga's waver request is denied, he will not be interrupting his college career for an LDS mission. Bronco says after initially deciding to depart for a mission, Kaveinga had a change of heart, before sanctions were levied against USC.

The coach wanted to make clear that Kaveinga was not deciding to stay and play simply because there was a chance he could play for BYU this fall. Kaveinga will spend 2010 as a Cougar--either as a linebacker vying for playing time, or as a scout-team redshirt.

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Bronco told us that CB Lee Aguirre and LB Masi Tuitama will not be at camp and will not be active in 2010 due to academic issues. Both will be allowed to practice with the scout team once school starts, and will be given the chance to work their way back into the full squad. Aguirre could use a redshirt season in 2010, but Tuitama has already redshirted.

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On listing all four QBs on the depth chart in no particular order, the coach said "I made sure that any listing for QB would be all four; I love Jason Munns, and James Lark has had a fantastic offseason as well. As much as we came out of spring with Riley and Jake kind of easing ahead of Lark, doesn't necessarily mean that those other two won't be given consideration this fall. I want the best player and the best leader."

"My hope is we can assess all four (QBs) in camp; can we do it for all of camp? Uh-uh, but at least to start with, we will."

Asked about heading into camp without a clear starter at quarterback, Bronco said "I'm not comfortable with it, but it's a different year and a different dynamic. In this particular case and for this team, it think it would be wise to wait too long than too short, to make sure it's the right player with the team's support, knowing there's not much experience there. This is going to be a little different. Not that I'm comfortable with it, but I'm okay with it. There's a difference."

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Check the "Cougar Cuts" box for podium sessions with Air Force, TCU, New Mexico and Wyoming coaches and players.

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