BYU Football: Thank you, Tanner Mangum

Tanner Mangum is a team-first player, so it is fitting that his collegiate career ended in much the same way that it started–with the unbridled support of BYU’s fanbase.

I created my first Twitter account in order to keep tabs on Tanner Mangum, who was a junior in high school at the time. In addition to posting pictures of Brandon Doman making an in-home visit, Mangum’s Twitter feed included references to BYU and some classic Taylor Swift fanboying. More than anything, he just seemed like a really good kid who was an exceptionally gifted athlete.

So it was no surprise to me that he opted to gray shirt prior to his two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile in order to preserve post-mission eligibility. Like all BYU diehards, I was worried about his early-summer mission date because of the lack of preparation time between the end of his mission and the start of his freshman season.

The MIracle at Memorial

A sudden job transfer in the summer of 2015 meant that instead of living five hours from Lincoln, Nebraska, I would live 14 hours, dashing my plans of watching BYU play Nebraska, one of the most storied programs in college football, on their home turf. I was settling into temporary corporate housing with my family just before the season started when I realized that I didn’t have access to a DVR for the game against Nebraska. I’m one of those guys who watches each game multiple times, and for whatever reason, at the last minute I decided that if I couldn’t rewatch it, then I ought to see it live.

The day before the game, I bought two tickets on the 40 yard line, 20 rows behind the BYU bench to watch the Cougars battle the Huskers. Two hours after making the purchase, my son and I were in my truck, heading northward from Houston, Texas to Lincoln, Nebraska.

We arrived two hours before kickoff, and I kept an eye on Mangum during warmups. He looked surprisingly fit, and his arm seemed strong enough to get the job done. I remember thinking it didn’t matter, however, because the Cougars had senior Taysom Hill as the starter, which would give Mangum a season to acclimate to the speed and physicality of FBS football before taking the helm.

I watched every game Taysom HIll played in college, and I believe the first half of Nebraska was the best overall quarterbacking I saw from him in college. In addition to Taysom being Taysom on the ground, he was throwing the ball with precision, keeping the Cougars in the game, and in an instant he was in the locker room, and in came Mangum. I had hoped Mangum would have a year to adjust to the speed and complexity of FBS football. Instead, he had two quarters of preparation time.

I honestly don’t remember much about the second half of that game other than frantically texting friends to find out about Hill’s status. I do remember the sound of 89,000 Husker fans booing the refs (and using language that runs contrary to the concept of “Nebraska Nice”).

And of course I remember the last play.

I had a perfect view of the Miracle at Memorial. When Tanner threw the ball, he was just to the left of my field of view, and when Mitch Matthews reeled it in, I had a clear view of his catch to my right. When the field judge signaled touchdown, my son and I lost our minds, screaming, jumping, and high-fiving, as disappointed Husker fans quickly started their march of shame out of Memorial Stadium, the roar of the small wedge of the BYU section resounding in the stadium.

What a play.

Hitting Repeat

And then he did it again the next week, hitting Mitchell Juergens in the end zone late in the fourth, the game then iced by a timely Kai Nacua pick six. When Jeurgens caught Hail Mary 2.0, my family was asleep, and all I could do was punch the couch cushion of our furnished apartment and scream into my pillow, so I didn’t wake them up. It was surreal.

BYU had its man. Tanner, still with mission legs, was the future.

The Struggle is Real

It wasn’t all hail marys and touchdown passes, however, in 2015. Tanner went 0-4 against Power Five teams the remainder of the season, including a 31-0 shutout in the Big House, and the worst quarter of football I’ve ever witnessed: the first quarter of the 2015 Las Vegas Bowl against rival Utah.

Then during Mangum’s sophomore season, Taysom Hill returned to Provo, Bronco Mendenhall and Robert Anae left, and Tanner handled being QB2 with class and dignity, but it was clear he was hungry to start.

I’m not sure Tanner ever fully grasped Ty Detmer’s ill-fated offensive scheme, but he once again was called upon to relieve Hill and lead the loyal, strong, and true in the 2016 Poinsettia Bowl against former MWC foe Wyoming after Hill went down with a season-ending injury against Utah State. Wet playing conditions hampered the passing game, but Tanner did enough to lead the Cougars to victory, getting an assist once again from a Kai Nacua interception to kill the Pokes’ comeback attempt late in the 4th quarter.

Ups, Downs, and Turnover

In his time at BYU, Tanner did exclusive ESPN interviews, was engaged, then unengaged to an all-time great BYU volleyball player, and was involved (whether during recruitment or when playing) with all four of BYU’s most recent offensive coordinators: Brandon Doman, Robert Anae, Ty Detmer, and Jeff Grimes.

After a brutal 2017, Detmer and most of his staff were dismissed, and Tanner had to learn a new offensive scheme again. During Spring and Fall camps, he did what needed to be done to remain the starter, despite the efforts of Joe Critchlow, Jaren Hall, and true freshman Zach Wilson.

Senior Year

In 2018, Mangum was more efficient than 2017, leading the Cougars to big road wins against Arizona and Wisconsin. A tough outing against Utah State, however, allowed Wilson to audition for and win the starting spot.

In Wilson’s first start against Hawaii, I watched the television feed closely to see how Tanner would react to being benched. It felt like being in the same room for the first time with friends who recently broke up. How would he act? Would he pout? Would he scowl? I was relieved when I saw Tanner cheering on Wilson, celebrating touchdowns, and being the great teammate that Tanner is.

After the relief, I felt guilt. What else did I expect?

The Finale

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Because BYU’s bowl game was in Mangum’s hometown, I wanted Mangum to have the chance to play one last time in Cougar blue. Even though the Cougars were down at the half, a 28-point third quarter ensured that Tanner would get his chance to see the field one last time. Before entering the game, BYU fans started a Rudy-esque “Tanner” chant, bringing a smile to the hometown hero’s face as he warmed up.

When he entered the game, the remaining BYU faithful gave him a monstrous Cougar roar. Deservedly so.

On his only pass, Tanner hit Dylan Collie for a 41-yard bomb, setting the Cougars up for their final score of the game.

When the clock hit triple zeroes, Mangum clinched the game ball, ensuring that he would keep the ball from his last snap as a BYU Cougar. Even during the post-game congratulatory handshakes and shoulder-pad slaps, Tanner held tightly to the ball, showing how important his career and his time as a BYU Cougar had been.

Thank You

Thank you, Tanner, for everything: for handling the offensive coordinator turnover in stride, for always putting team first; for shedding light on those who suffer mental illness; for the best BYU Football memory I could ever have with my son; for being a great teammate; and for being worthy of raucous cheers, whether they came in your first game, your last game, or all the moments in between.

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