BYU Sophomore Safety Transfer Andrew Rich  

Turns out the best quote of spring wasn't an original.

"I stole it from him," Rich admitted.

But Rich, a Snow College walk-on competing for a starting spot this spring, had another good quote ready to go.

"This is 'Football 202' here," Rich said. "It's adjusting to the speed of the game and the scheme is very challenging for a new guy."

Rich was actually probably better known for basketball than football coming out of Bonneville High School in Ogden. He averaged 21 points per game as a senior and led Bonneville to a huge upset of Timpview in the 2004 4A state quarterfinals. That Timpview team was led by Chris Miles and Matt Pinegar, now members of the BYU basketball program.

"We went to the semifinals and lost to Provo," Rich said. "Everybody always loses to Provo."

Rich had offers from Weber State, Southern Utah and UTEP to play football after graduation but opted to wait until he'd served an LDS mission to choose a school. Upon his return from Portland, Ore. (Spanish-speaking), Rich turned to Snow College and played well enough to earn All-WSFL and JC All-American honors as a freshman.

Again, the offers came in from places like Cal, Washington State and Boise State. But Rich decided he wanted to walk-on at BYU, though friends told him he was crazy. Now he's trying to absorb a new scheme and defend All-MWC offensive stars like quarterback Max Hall, wide receiver Austin Collie, running back Harvey Unga and tight end Dennis Pitta.

"This was the right place," Rich said. "It's a significant jump from JC to Division I. Everything that happens is faster and stronger. I'm out there competing against some of the best players in the country and it's an honor to be out here competing with guys of that caliber."

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said Rich and fellow Snow College transfers Tevita Hola (DL) and Coleby Clawson (LB) are all about in the same spot adjusting to the demands of Cougar football.

"It's a team game, and that's what's beautiful about football," Rich said. "It takes all 11 guys to get it done. Here at BYU, everyone takes care of their responsibilities and does their job. We can accomplish a lot of things if we do that.

"I agree with Coach Mendenhall: You have to be in good shape to play here and as far as the scheme, you just have to catch it and run with it and be coachable," Rich said.

Snow College, founded in 1888, serves approximately 3,000 students at its Ephraim campus. The college provides general education and applied technology programs leading to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Pre-Engineering degrees, and certificates of completion in a number of occupational areas.  Once owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Snow College became a state college in 1932.

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