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On a day that BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall unveiled a post-camp depth chart, the Cougars continued game-week preparation for their season-opener at Virginia, with the team holding a typical "Tuesday" practice on Monday in Provo.
"It was very physical, it was fast, we got a lot of plays in," said Mendenhall of the late-afternoon session. "Lots of special teams emphasis; Justin Sorensen continues to kick the ball very well."
"I think we're deep at running back, and I think that we have plenty of receivers to throw the ball to."
In referencing a depth chart that features co-starters at multiple positions, Mendenhall said that "when you're playing as many plays as we're playing, I think that being a starter might be noticeable for a few plays, but then it's just going to be a flurry of players coming in."
"I'm not so sure that being a starter will be relevant other than the first series or so."
Wide receiver JD Falslev confirmed the coach's assessment, adding that "I think we're gonna use a lot of players."
"I think that we will be able to keep up the pace, if not better than any other team in the country, because we're able to use so many guys. As long as our execution stays on point, as we continue to communicate, I think we could go farther than anybody thinks is possible."
Running back Jamaal Williams concurs, saying that "we're getting better, going faster, still having the momentum and the pace to keep up."
"I feel like we're getting better every day. I just can't wait for what we're going to do in the game and see how everybody executes."
You can hear Mendenhall's post-practice interview in "Cougar Cuts," above left. You can also listen to interviews with QB Taysom Hill, Williams, C Terrance Alletto, WRs Skyler Ridley and Falslev, and LB Kyle Van Noy.
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Ridley and Falslev were recently voted by teammates as offensive captains for the 2013 season; defensive captains are linebacker Uani Unga and safety Daniel Sorensen.
Mendenhall said the team "elected strong people and strong leaders."
Only one of the four captains entered BYU on scholarship; the coach said that "says a lot about their work ethic, and also their attitude toward the program...they're all 'team first.'"
Ridley said of the captaincy that "it's an honor to have your teammates vote you into a spot like this. (I'm) a little surprised."
"Coach Mendenhall put up a slide and kind of explained what he felt a captain should represent," Ridley says. "(He) talked about sacrifice and being unselfish and I think the guys, as far as JD, Uani and Danny...I feel like we're a group of guys that represent what coach was talking about."
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Late in camp, and with cornerback depth a concern, BYU coaches brought two wide receivers over from offense to defense, and today, Mendenhall said that one of those players--Eric Thornton--would be returned to the offensive side of the ball, as a reflection of how well the other converted wide receiver--Michael Davis--was now playing at corner.
"Eric still has a chance to go both ways," Mendenhall said on Monday, but it's also a reflection on Mike Hague being healthy enough to help us at either corner, either safety and nickel."
"Eric was playing really well on the offensive side before he came over; he got enough training, knows the defense well enough, that if there is an injury, he could come back, but we think his role will be more ignificant, faster (at receiver)...so he goes back now."
Asked if he feels "stabilized at corner right now," Mendenhall said, "yeah, 'right now' is a good word for it. We're thin, but I like the way guys are playing at that spot."
"I think we have enough...I think we're okay."
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Saying "there's a great chance that more O-linemen will play than have ever played before," Mendenhall confirmed that all of the offensive linemen listed on the depth chart (and one more, for a total of ten) would travel to Virginia.
"Normally, we'll go into seven players, maybe eight...I wouldn't be surprised to see all ten get some action."
Alluding to the planned rotation, projected starting center Terrance Alletto acknowledged that "it is a little bit more difficult when you're not with the same guys all the time. But I think it will be a big asset to us when we go out and play."
"Since it's at such a high speed, the defense is going to have to switch in and out a bunch of guys. For us to chip away at them, we have to do the same."
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Mendenhall addressed defensive line depth, noting that NT Marques Johnson "has kind of solidified himself back at nose; he has emerged and (is) really doing a nice job."
Eathyn Manumaleuna is available to play either nose tackle or defensive end; the coach said Johnson and Logan Taele can also play both positions. Mendenhall added that Sae Tautu is training at both weakside linebacker and defensive end and that Tomasi Laulile gives added DE depth.
The original plan was to travel NT JonRyheem Peoples to Virginia, but Mendenhall said the freshman sustained a concussion in practice on Saturday; his status for this weekend is undetermined.
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BYU plays for a seventh consecutive season-opening win on Saturday; asked if there is a common thread linking the victories, Mendenhall said he thinks it is "focus on ourselves, rather than so much on the opponent."
The coach said "I really haven't studied much Virginia film, because there isn't any. I've been focusing more on us."
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BYU on Monday announced a two-game series with California, with the opener set for Berkeley on Nov. 29, 2014, and the second game scheduled for LaVell Edwards Stadium on Sept. 16, 2017.
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