Sept. 29, 2003

By Jeff Call
Deseret News

PROVO, Utah - Given their troubles of late, this week is a crucial one for the BYU football team. How will the Cougars respond after Saturday's 24-10 loss to Air Force?

Things don't get any easier from here for BYU, which has three of its next four games on the road, starting next Saturday at San Diego State. It will mark the Mountain West Conference opener for the Aztecs (3-2), who fell to UCLA, 20-10, Saturday night.

"Right now we're in adverse times. According to the way we react in these challenging times will determine how successful we will or will not be," said defensive lineman Brady Poppinga. "I guarantee you that we're going to continue to do our very best to get better and eventually we'll start winning."

BYU (2-3, 1-1) entered the season with high hopes of contending for a conference championship and going to a bowl game. The reality is, the Cougars must go 4-3 the rest of the way to be bowl eligible and avoid their second consecutive losing season. They need a 5-2 mark in their final seven games to have a winning season.

Coach Gary Crowton insists he sees victories on the horizon. "The wins will come," he said. "I promise you, the wins will come."

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