By Ryan Hope
Junior quarterback Bret Engemann”s season hasn”t gone exactly as planned.
Engemann began the season with a career-best 386 yards of passing in BYU”s 42-21 win over Syracuse.
But things went down hill from there, and resulted in Engemann losing his starting position to freshman Matt Berry.
“It was an up-and-down year, a very frustrating year for me,” Engemann said. “I felt like I prepared well and I played my guts out.”
Engemann struggled in the second game of the year against Hawaii, but still led the team to a 35-32 victory.
Against Nevada the following week, Engemann was replaced by freshman Lance Pendleton who led the Cougars to two second-half touchdowns in the Cougars” 31-28 loss.
Pendleton again replaced Engemann in the Cougars” 28-19 loss to Georgia Tech.
Against Utah State on Oct. 4, Engemann led BYU back from a 34-7 halftime deficit to defeat the Aggies 35-34.
But Engemann”s last game as a starter came on Oct. 12 against Air Force when the Cougars lost 52-9.
Berry was promoted to starter the next week against UNLV, and started the Cougars” final six games.
“I have no regrets as to my play this year,” Engemann said. “I didn”t play perfect, and I made a lot of mistakes, but I played hard and I left it all out on the field.”
Engemann finished the season as the Cougars” leading passer, connecting on 119 of 215 passes for 1,334 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Berry finished the season passing for 1,309 yards.
Engemann said he is disappointed he was replaced as the starter, but does not question head coach Gary Crowton”s decision.
“Coach Crowton has been coaching for a long time and he”s a good coach,” Engemann said. “Obviously he made the decision that he felt was going to be the best. As a player I stand by him.”
Engemann is unsure whether he will return to the team for his senior season.
“I”m going to decide in January,” Engemann said. “I definitely want to play. If that”s not going to happen here, then somewhere else.”
Despite his bad fortune, Engemann remained very supportive of his team and teammates.
“I wish it could have turned out better,” Engemann said. “I know we”re a better team than our record shows. Its frustrating.”
