Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
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facing the heat in Provo...
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Let's start with Coach Bronco Mendenhall's post-practice summary, which came a few minutes after players were kept after practice for a little extra "conditioning." It wasn't the sharpest of practices, for reasons the coach explains in the link to the right. He starts, though, by talking about the unexpected absence of projected starting center Tom Sorenson.
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As coach detailed, from the very first periods of practice (including kicking work), things were a little "off," and in the can-often-be-brutal "Pursuit Drill," DL Tevita Hola, CB Garrett Nicholson and LB Iona Pritchard were either removed from the drill, or took themselves out due to exhaustion. It'a a simple drill, in which entire 11-man units (1st- through 4th-stringers) alternately sprint onto the field as a unit, line up, then on a simulated snap, pursue a ball carrier, with the coach whistling them into up-downs a number of times on the way to the boundary. But if you take off early, or you're not lined up properly, or you don't run hard enough, the entire group will do the drill again--the 3rd-stringers in particular were punished with repetition, and it clearly gassed a handful of guys today.
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The weatherman did the players no favors today--near 100 degrees, no breeze, and precious little shade. Water stations and iced towels were plentiful, and the Powerade table cleared off in a hurry tonight.
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I spent the 3:30-4:00 time period today with the kickers and returners, and of note, C. J. Santiago uncorked about a punt of 65-70 yards for his daily highlight. Mitch Payne and Justin Sorensen never went beyond about 46-yards in solo warmups, and both made kicks from that distance, while Sorensen generally struggled and battled a hook today. The returners' group included Bryce Mahuika, J.J. DiLuigi, Luke Ashworth, Reed White, O'Neill Chambers and Steven Thomas, with Austin Collie observing.
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Bronco talked about Fui Vakapuna being "behind" in terms of his recovery from a hamstring strain suffered a couple of months ago. Obviously something we'll be keeping an eye on...
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In terms of depth chart moves, most of the novetly today was on the offensive line, due to Sorenson's absence.
The first- and second string lines were as follows:
LT-Matt Reynolds (1), Jesse Taufi (2)
LG-Ray Feinga (1), Terence Brown (2)
C-Dallas Reynolds (1), R.J. Willing (2)
RG-Travis Bright (1), Jason Speredon (2)
RT-David Oswald (1), Garrett Reden (2)
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Elsewhere on the field, the Day One pecking order more or less stood throughout Day Two, with freshmen Spencer Hadley and Iona Pritchard splitting time at the #3 ILB spots with Shane Hunter and Dustin Graham.
Some minor movement along the defensive line, but nothing in the two-deep. Today's 3rd-string was composed of Luekenga, Wolfley/Hola and Richardson, left to right.
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Before I get to some notes from the "Team" session that ended today's practice, you will notice interviews on the links to the upper right of the page.
I spoke with WR Tyler Kozlowski about competing to be the #3 receiver behind Collie and Reed, and he shares with us his recent number change and scholarship news.
There's a short conversation with TE Dennis Pitta, in which he starts by talking about his busy offeseason.
And, then, there's a conversation about which I would like to offer a little bit of background. My wife and I have become friends with former BYU Cougarette Lindsey Hansen and her husband, former BYU QB/TE Brock Hansen (brother of current missionary and BYU signee Braden Hansen). The Hansens told us recently of Byron Putnam, a former Alta Hawk (like Brock and Braden and their brother Chase), who walked on at the "U," only to transfer to BYU upon his return. We were told how much they admired Byron, for excelling despite adversity, which includes a significant hearing loss he has had since childhood. I hope you enjoy meeting Byron Putnam, and as his career progresses, perhaps we can all watch him move up the depth chart. You might recall at the tail end of Bronco's Saturday post-practice comments, I asked about Byron Putnam, and Coach Mendenhall had some very nice things to say. And clearly, Byron is a much better interviewee than I am an interviewer...
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In today's "Team" portion of pracgtice, Max Hall led a 3-play scoring drive, which consisted of completions to Michael Reed and Dennis Pitta, then a roughly 50-yard TD scamper by Harvey Unga.
Kurt McEuen got first crack at the #2 spot behind Hall, while Brenden Gaskins got the second go at second-team reps. Neither did much of note.
Spencer Hafoka made a nifty grab down the left sideline, while Landon Jaussi made an "after the whistle" catch in traffic, hitting the ground hard as three defenders surrounded him.
Brandon Bradley broke up a pass in the end zone to end practice.
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Walk-on OL Ron Best goes by "R.J." normally, but since that moniker is taken by someone with seniority (see Willing, R.J.), he is known as "Ron" to Coach Weber, who can't be calling "R.J." and having two guys respond all the time.
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On tap for tomorrow: a single practice session, starting at 10:00am, when it should be cooler than today--at least to start.
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