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With Saturday's season opener against Virginia just days away, players and coaches were putting the final touches on their game plan for the Cavaliers. As is the case with most programs before a new season, it's hard to gauge where the team is without a game under its belt. "I don't think I absolutely know anything about this team until we play a game," Bronco said.
"I think they'll try hard; if I had to say what I most likely know, it's that."
While defensive coordinator Nick Howell echoed Coach Mendenhall's sentiments about getting a better idea of a team after a game, he did say that he's got a pretty good idea about one aspect of his defense. "Our dudes are gonna fight as hard as they can," Howell said.
"Our defense is gonna fly around as hard as they can. That's one thing for certain...the brand of football that our defense is gonna play is gonna be the same that it's always been; that's the fun part."
You can listen to post-practice audio from Bronco Mendenhall, defensive coordinator Nick Howell, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, safety Dan Sorensen and defensive lineman Eathyn Manumaleuna by clicking on the links in "Cougar Cuts," above left.
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Virginia quarterback David Watford will be getting his first collegiate start on Saturday against BYU. Even though it will be Watford's first game as a starter, he does have experience, having played in 10 games in 2011. The BYU defense is hoping that they can do enough to rattle the redshirt sophomore.
"Playing BYU's defense is difficult," senior linebacker Kyle Van Noy said with a smile. "Our schemes are ridiculous; we blend our coverage's really well we're gonna try and create him to be a little head case, and not know what's coming I hope he's nervous at the end of the game and I hope he feels uncomfortable and throws an interception here and there."
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Cougar freshman DL JonRyheem Peoples has been cleared to participate after suffering a concussion earlier in the week. Despite the news, Coach Mendenhall wasn't entirely convinced that Peoples is ready to return to the gridiron.
"Cleared to play, but to me (he) will need; he was on the scout team today, he will need another day there I wasn't convinced, even though he was cleared; I'm a little more cautious than that. We'll probably consider him for next week."
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The cornerback situation is still a focus as the season opener nears. Bronco said that while he's only seen newcomers Robertson Daniel, Mike Davis and Dallin Leavitt in practice, he's very confident in their ability to play the position.
Safety Dan Sorensen has had an up close look at the corners through camp and believes the coaches have done a great job of finding guys that can pick up the slack. "I think we've got a lot of talent and a lot of depth at corner," Sorensen said.
"Unfortunately we experienced a lot of injuries but I think that's given the opportunity to some of these younger guys to step in and show what they got. Whoever it is that goes out there on Saturday, I think they're gonna be prepared and they're gonna be ready to play if the coaches trust them, then I trust them; we're gonna be just fine."
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