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PROVO — As practice concluded on Tuesday night in Provo, injuries quickly became the hot topic of discussion. BYU announced on Monday that linebacker Spencer Hadley suffered an MCL injury and will be week-to-week, and wide reviver Mitch Mathews is done for the year after suffering a shoulder injury that will require surgery.
BYU wide receivers coach Guy Holliday has dealt with several players at the receiver position missing time this season.
Cody Hoffman missed time with injury and a suspension this year, while JD Falslev fractured his hand prior to the Wisconsin game. With the additional loss of Mathews, BYU plans on continue to move guys around and see who can fill the void.
"Obviously it's a devastating injury for us and him," Coach Holliday said. "But as far as what it does for the position, one's man junkyard is another man's goldmine. Somebody has an opportunity to step up and I'm confident that somebody will."
As to whom will actually get the playing time, offensive coordinator Robert Anae has plans to use multiple receivers.
"We're looking to Kurt Henderson, Marcus Mathews (Mitch's brother) and Colby Pearsen to step up and fill that gap," Anae said. "We're gonna miss Mitch; we really are, but at the same token, I think Mitch would love to see guys step up and fill that void and be productive."
Mathews friend and fellow receiver, Skyler Ridley said that the news was hard for Mitch but that as always, he's making the most of it.
"It was hard because I think he didn't anticipate it being as serious as it was," Ridley said. "When he got the news that he needed surgery I think he took it pretty hard. He was in meetings today laughing, same fun guy that he always is. It'll be nice to have him around still supporting the guys because I think we need that from him."
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Saturday's game against Idaho State is the final home game of the 2013 season. Twenty-two seniors, including Kyle Van Noy, Cody Hoffman, Mike Hague and Skyler Ridley will be playing their last game at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Ridley, who is also a team captain, said he's trying not to think about it.
"It's been an amazing experience for me here at BYU. To think it's going to be my last time playing in LaVell Edwards Stadium is kinda surreal. I'm just going to go out and enjoy it and enjoy playing with my teammates."
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Coming off a game against a Big 10 opponent in Wisconsin, it would be understandable for BYU to look past Idaho State, a 3-7 team from the Big Sky.
Despite the obvious differences in the two programs, the Cougar coaches are quick to point out that you can't overlook anyone.
"I'm sure there's going to be some challenges within, but this is football; you've got to come to play every week. I'm sure that when (the) University of Texas came in here, they weren't expecting BYU to beat them like that. Every week we've got to show up to play."
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You can listen to post-practice audio from Robert Anae, Skyler Ridley and Guy Holliday by clicking on the links in "Cougar Cuts," above left.
