It is one thing to get out-schemed or simply get burned, but the coaches call a conservative defense that relies on fundamentally sound play rather than super-athletes. It works for BYU, and has worked for some time. The lack of sure tackling is killing us and keeps drives alive. We often take bad angles (resulting in arm tackles) or come in like missiles that are easily juked rather than showing control and follow through. Obviously, it reflects on how we tackle in practice. I wish this would get addressed. Poor tackling has kept the defense on the field and kept the games close.

As for penalties like taunting, they have no place on this team (or any team). I lament the loss of sportsmanship in football. It is a pure reflection on coaching. It is important that poor sportsmanship be addressed immediately on the field publicly by the coaches. It sends a message to all playing and watching that it will not be tolerated, penalty or not. It says that a good play continues after the whistle is blown. It says that character matters more than good play. Ideally, I would love to see Bronco addressing every public instance personally and immediately. I would like to see ESPN with the camera on Bronco dealing with it. This should not be a private matter in the locker room because the kids watching and learning only get to see the poor behavior. Only then it stops. Honest jubilant celebration is great, but if it ever involves the other team's players it should be a flag every time. No more stare-downs, no more standing or stepping over the other player, and no more in your face stuff. It is not difficult to see the difference between an honest celebration for a good play and unsportsmanlike conduct. Coaches were accountable for the character of their players. Not anymore. From what I remember, it creeped in sometime in the 80's in Southern football. I remember the commentators saying how disgusting it was. As is typical these days, we did not hold the coaches accountable for the character of their players and decided the officials should take care of it. Like in society, we believe some behavior is acceptable when it does not result in a penalty. I know some will flame me for this and I have no idea what goes on in the locker room, but I wish Bronco and all coaches took poor sportsmanship more personally.

For BYU, I don't care what the rules are, our players should act with sportsmanship. Hard play is one thing, but it is too bad we don't have team leaders on defense that get in the face of any player who lets his teammates down (penalty or not). I was getting frustrated with Mitch Mathew's in the first 3 games getting into it with others. Taysom got after him and it has stopped as best I can tell. Let your play do the talking. Act like you've been there.

I generally have no issue with many of the other penalties because our team is playing hard and gaining experience. Don't get me wrong, there is work to be done on the o-line but they are coming along.