BYU prepares for season opener at UConn


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PROVO — Friday’s BYU football practice was the second day the Cougars have focused on UConn, their opponent in the season opener in East Hartford, Connecticut. With the game against the Huskies one week from tonight, the players and coaches felt good about how seamlessly the team has slipped into game prep mode.

“We’re ready; I can for sure say that,” receiver Mitch Mathews said emphatically. “(Our) bodies are beat up, but that comes with every team in the country. But we’re focused on redeeming ourselves from the opening game last year.”

While last year’s season-opening loss at Virginia is something BYU is trying not to duplicate, the players, and specifically quarterback Taysom, believe that they have made huge strides since then.

“It’s hard to even think back and look at where we were last year,” Hill said. (We had a) new offensive staff, new system. … We’re ready and very excited.”

One of the difficulties in preparing for a season-opener is that there are so many unknowns for both teams. Making things more difficult for BYU is the fact that UConn has a new head coach in Bob Diaco, who is bringing in a new staff and new schemes.

“Our preparation is kind of a broad perspective because we don’t quite know what they’re going to do on defense,” said offensive coordinator Robert Anae. “We’re looking at a couple of things that those coaches involved have done in the past; that’s really all we’re going to go into with. The first quarter will be an exploratory deal, but the emphasis will be more focused on what we do well, as we go into the game.”

The good news for the Cougars is that UConn head coach Bob Diaco was the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame when BYU faced the Irish in 2012 and 2013. Having seen what Diaco likes to run defensively, the Cougars have at least been able to watch some Irish film to help with some of the unknowns.

“(We’ve watched) a lot of Notre Dame schemes, how they play,” Mitch Mathews said. “A lot of man (coverage), a lot of two-man, knowing that they’re going to do that, it helps us prepare at practice … more importantly you want to look at the actual players. Both their corners, number 6 (Jhavon Williams) and 16 (Byron Jones) are both returning and they’re both good players. So, you’ve got to look at Connecticut also and actually how those two specific guys play the game.”

Defensively, BYU will be getting its first look at UConn quarterback Casey Cochran. Cochran, a redshirt sophomore, was named the starter this week. Last season, Cochran started four games for the Huskies and went 3-1. Despite naming Cochran as the team’s starting QB, head coach Bob Diaco has stated repeatedly that backup quarterback Chandler Whitmer will see playing time as well.

BYU defensive coordinator Nick Howell discussed what he expects from both signal callers.

“Number 12 (Casey Cochran) ... He won them three games last year against three good teams … He delivers the ball on time; they both (also referring to backup QB Chandler Whitmer) get the ball out on time, they know where to throw it — I like them both. It sounds like the one might be a little more athletic than the other … I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them they use to run a little bit more.”

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BYU will not release its depth chart until Monday. With so many position battles looking to be finalized for the season opener, defensive coordinator Nick Howell was asked if he’s any closer to deciding on who will see the field next Friday in East Hartford.

“I’m not sure yet; there’s still battles going and we’ll see what happens.”

As to which specific positions are still up in the air, coach Howell mentioned outside linebackers, corner and safety.

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Outside linebacker Alani Fua has been banged up over the last week. When asked about his health, Fua said that he’s getting much closer to being at full strength.

“(I’m) pretty much like 85 percent; hopefully by Monday I’ll be full-go,” Fua said.

When asked if his participation in the season opener was in doubt, Fua said, “I’ll for sure be ready by then; we’ll be good.”

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The Cougars selected their team captains for the 2014 season. Taysom Hill, Paul Lasike, Craig Bills and Remington Peck will formally lead the team from the opening coin toss to the final whistle every week.

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You can listen to post-practice audio from Robert Anae, Nick Howell, Taysom Hill, Mitch Mathews and Alani Fua by clicking on the links in "Cougar Cuts,” above left.

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Jason Shepherd

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