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By Mark Wright
'Survivor' Doman Now at Top of BYU's QB Depth Chart
PROVO, UTAH -- Think of Brigham Young University, AKA "Quarterback
U," and you automatically invoke the ghosts of quarterbacks past -
Young, McMahon, Detmer, Bosco, Nielsen, and Sheide in the minds of
Cougar faithful everywhere. Now, Brandon Doman hopes to add his name
to the roll call of great BYU quarterbacks as he prepares to enter
his final season wearing the blue and white of BYU.
Entering practice for the upcoming season, Doman finds himself listed
first on the depth chart and the projected first string quarterback
for a football team that has always expected a lot out of the signal
caller. Doman understands the pressure that goes along with his
chosen occupation and relishes the opportunity that he will have to
"be the man." He's also enjoying the extra reps in practice and the
attention from the coaches that come from being named the starter.
New football coach Gary Crowton has been meeting with Doman during
voluntary sessions, explaining the new Cougar offensive scheme and
probable opposing defenses that Doman will face. "It's huge, the
things I've learned from him over the past few months," Doman says.
"It's awesome having a head coach take so much time to go over this
stuff with me. I've never had a coach explain defenses in such an
intricate way. He's helped me mentally on things I've missed out on
over the past three years."
A returned missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints who served two years in Argentina, Doman is now happily
married and ready for the spotlight that has shown on each of his
siblings who have previously played football at BYU. Known for his
intensity, Doman is the latest in a long line of Doman's to play
football at BYU. Kevin, Bryce and Cliff have all had their moment in
the sun at BYU and are part of the reason that Doman has clawed and
fought his way to become the football player that he is.
According to Doman, competitiveness doesn't even come close to
describing the sibling rivalry that existed during his formative
years. "It was beyond competitive," says Doman. "My brothers were
maniacs. They were nuts, stress-cases, sheer competitors. If Cliff
didn't win, he would bawl like a baby. He and I used to put on boxing
gloves, but because we only had one pair, he put on the left one and
I put on the right. We pounded each other, over and over. If I hit
him hard, he chased me down and beat the crap out of me. Then, Bryce
beat him up for beating me up. One time, Cliff and I were in our
sandbox, and I flicked sand at him. He picked up an apple off the
ground and hucked it directly into my face. It hit me in the eye. I
remember thinking, 'Geez, this guy has got to learn to relax.' Bryce
and Kevin were the same way. They were crazy with it. Even later on,
when the four of us brothers went golfing together, it was terrible.
Clubs flew into ponds, emotions got out of hand. It always turned
into a war. Everybody had to win."
So, Doman became a survivor. He learned to hang in there, even when
he was buried on the depth chart behind Kevin Feterik, Drew Miller,
Charlie Peterson, and Brett Engemann. Doman managed to survive long
enough to get a chance last year and led the Cougars to several
important victories, including a come from behind effort at Utah when
the Cougars beat the rival Utes 27-26 in what was probably the
biggest win of the season. "To be a part of something like that, with
40,000 people watching and a national TV audience, it was just one of
those moments you dream about," Doman says. "What a feeling. The best
part was the feeling in the huddle before the last drive that
everybody believed we would win."
And now, finally, Doman gets his chance to rise to the top once
again. Doman is looking forward to the upcoming season, not only
because he's the starting quarterback, but because he believes I
feel confident in the offense. "It's going to be so much fun to play
in [the new offense], and to watch. It gets the ball in the air. It's
quick. We'll get off a lot more plays in every game. I can sense an
excitement from all the guys. There's a team unity, better team
conditioning, and enthusiasm and confidence in each other. There's a
fresh energy." Doman can't wait for summer to turn into fall so that
he can turn those expectations into yet another opportunity to
compete and excel.
Source:
BYU Quarterback Position Is Finally Doman's Domain
Salt Lake Tribune 24Jul01 S2
By Gordon Monson: Salt Lake Tribune
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