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After the Cougars' dominant offensive showing in a regular-season ending win at New Mexico State, BYU offensive coordinator Brandon Doman and players on that side of the ball look to keep that momentum going into their Poinsettia Bowl meeting with San Diego State, one week from Thursday in San Diego.
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Tuesday evening, for what seemed like the first time this season, the run game was the main topic of discussion with Coach Doman in a post-practice media session. San Diego State's defense is allowing under four yards per carry this season and the Aztecs will be out to stop BYU's primary back Jamaal Williams. Doman is hoping his offense will be able to establish a ground game.
"We've got to have the right plan to attack both with the run [and] spread the field and make them defend everything," said Doman. "Hopefully we'll be able to have an effective run game. We're going to need to to be successful."
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This is Williams' first bowl game experience and he's looking forward to be back in his home state of California.
"I can't wait for it especially since it's in California so it's not too far from home," said Williams, who hails from Fontana. "Mostly all the people from back home are going to go to it."
According to Jamaal, his mother acquired 62 tickets for family and friends.
As far as physical preparation, Jamaal feels he is ready for the game next week.
"I feel pretty good right now. My legs are fresh and ice baths and treatments are working for me right now so I'm just anxious to play in the game," said Williams.
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There's an outside chance that the Poinsettia Bowl could see the return of Michael Alisa, out since September with a broken arm. Doman said the junior running back was "significantly better" today at practice.
"Yesterday he was a little tentative--not sure about himself, and a lot of it is just confidence coming back," said Doman, "If he can be Michael Alisa then he'll help us a lot."
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The quarterback rotation between Riley Nelson and James Lark continued both signal-callers took reps on Tuesday. Nelson said his workload increased, and that he was more "capable" than he was yesterday. He is still hoping to be ready to go by the end of this week.
"[The] back's okay" said Nelson, "but the ribs [are] still sore and that's one of the things that we're kind of looking at day to day."
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BYU will practice through Friday before taking the weekend off. Wednesday will represent the last media availability for head coach Bronco Mendenhall and defensive players until the team holds post-practice press sessions in San Diego.
The team travel party will depart for the bowl site on Sunday night.
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Photo Courtesy: Mark Philbrick, BYU Photo
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