ESPN's DIRECTV Satellite Bus Visits BYU

PROVO, Utah -- ESPN’s DIRECTV satellite bus paid a visit to BYU on Friday as part of the network’s month-long tour across the country covering college spring football.

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall took his turn on the bus for several interviews that will be part of the ESPNU College Football Blitz on Friday as well as ESPN’s College Football Live scheduled to air on April 28 on multiple ESPN outlets. Check television listings for times and information.

"It was a very unique experience," said Mendenhall, indicating BYU was honored to be one of ESPN's stops on the tour. "It's just a great acknowledgment of the type of program (we have) but also the partnership (with ESPN) and I think the excitement going forward."

As part of ESPN’s spring football coverage, ESPN’s DIRECTV satellite bus originates from numerous campuses throughout April to provide interviews with coaches and players on multiple ESPN outlets and programs.

BYU is one of 15 scheduled stops during the month-long bus tour. Other stops on the tour include TCU, Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Boise State, UCLA, USC, Stanford and Oregon.

The Cougars wrapped up spring practices earlier this month and will open fall camp in August in preparation for the program’s first year as a football independent with television partner ESPN.

"I like our team," Mendenhall said. "I love the way spring practices went, and I like the momentum we are generating."

The 2011 schedule includes opponents from the Southeastern Conference, Big 12, Pac-12, Conference USA, Western Athletic Conference, Mountain West Conference and Big Sky. The 12-game schedule kicks off at Ole Miss on Sept. 3 and concludes at Hawaii on Dec. 3.

Season tickets are now available through the Marriott Center Ticket Office (801-422-BYU1) or online at BYUtickets.com. Season ticket packages reflect the team’s seven-game home schedule in 2011, one more contest than last year, with season ticket package per-game prices staying the same as the 2010 season.