Personal
Parents are Paul (real estate broker) and Lenore Mendenhall, his father is a former BYU football player ... majored in political science.
Before BYU
High School - Mat had three good years at East High in Salt Lake City .. played defensive under Grant Martin (Utah) ... won all-state, All-American recognition.
Outstanding potential .. saw a lit of good action with JV and varsity.
Defensive scoring champion with 217 points .. honorable mention all-WAC.
Had 16 tackles for losses along with 24 hurries and 11 sacks ... had eight tackles, including three for losses against New Mexico ... recovering fumble which led to the game winning field goal at Wyoming ... five tackles and two hurries againstArizona .. seven unassisted tackles, three hurries and two sacks against Utah ... All-WAC ... coaches' choice as defensive lineman-of-the-game against Oregon State and Wyoming ... missed the final two games of the regular season because of a knee injury but returned to play in the Holiday Bowl .. best outing in '78 was against Wyoming when he scored 27 defensive points by way of nine tackles, three of which were for losses and had a fumble recovery.
Sustained a head injury.
\r\n