BYU's backfield slowly returning to full strength


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PROVO — BYU's football team started the season hoping to spread handoffs between running backs Algernon Brown, Adam Hine, Riley Burt, Nate Carter and Francis Bernard.

Due to multiple injuries, things have not gone quite as smooth as BYU hoped. But with three games remaining in the regular season, the Cougars' backfield is nearing full strength again, starting with the progress Hine and Burt have been making.

"Hopefully (Hine) is stronger and better. (Running backs coach Mark) Atuaia watched him and saw signs that he is coming back, but not that he is back," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "We shifted the volume and repetitions to others.

"Riley Burt was actually capable but he kind of felt the same watching him, so we should have both Adam and Riley almost, if not, full strength for this game."

Hine ran for 9 yards on three carries in last week's win against San Jose State. The veteran was happy to get back on the field but at the same time knows there is progress that needs to be made health-wise to return to full strength.

"It was good. I was still a little bit iffy, I guess I could say. It stinks. Last year I had a low ankle sprain and this year I have a high-ankle sprain. It's different. I try and go out and it still hurts," Hine said. "But I am excited about the progress that I have been making to be able to suit up and play a little bit at San Jose and I am even more excited to get even better this week and play a lot more."

With a lot of controversy over racial issues going on right now on the campus of BYU's opponent this week, Missouri, Hine says he is focused on himself and his team.

BYU running back Algernon Brown, left, is hugged by a teammate after his rushing touchdown against San Jose State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Nov. 6, 2015, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sancez)
BYU running back Algernon Brown, left, is hugged by a teammate after his rushing touchdown against San Jose State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Nov. 6, 2015, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sancez)

"We are going to prepare just the same as always like we have planned. Probably for them they will put a little bit more emotion behind it and whatnot," Hine said. "As for us, we are excited to go and play and we are going to stick to our game plan that we have right now."

How will BYU match this emotionally charged Missouri team?

"The way we match that is by being aggressive, being assignment-sound, and just not doing anything extra, but doing what we need to do and playing hard," Hine said. "We will definitely match their aggression and their spirit."

Expect to see Brown, Hine, Burt, Bernard and Carter sharing handoffs this Saturday when BYU faces Missouri at 5:30 p.m. MT. BYU center Tejan Koroma is also expected to return after missing the game at San Jose State, and lineman Ryker Mathews should also see more than the 30 snaps he saw against the Spartans.

"We are starting to get our team back," Mendenhall said, while adding that linemen Ului Lapuaho and Kyle Johnson remain questionable with injury concerns.

Listen to audio from Monday's post-practice media availability from Mendenhall, Hine, Bronson Kaufusi and Tanner Mangum in the "Cougar Cuts" section. Tanner is a student at Brigham Young University studying Business Management. He is from the great northwest of Portland, Oregon. He hopes to find a profession that combines his passion of sports broadcasting and marketing.

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Tanner Apeland

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