Camp Cougar, Day 14

The Cougars hit the practice field Monday morning in Provo, for the first of two sessions on the final day of two-a-days.

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While all practices are now closed to the media, we were informed by the Athletic Media Communications staff that the offense struggled in the 11-on-11 segment to end the morning.

Jake Heaps went 2/6 passing for 28 yards and an interception, while Riley Nelson went 1/6 for five yards.

"The coaching staff got us ready, the coaching staff got us prepared to come out and practice," said Heaps. "It had nothing to do with the coaching staff--it had to do with our players and our offense and deciding whether we wanted to come out and give it our all today."

"We'll change that mentality, and have a lot better showing (this afternoon)...we're happy we've got another practice to redeem ourselves."

You can hear post-practice interviews with Heaps and head coach Bronco Mendenhall by going to "Cougar Cuts" (right).

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Defensive plays of note were made by Kyle Van Noy (interception), Corby Eason (pass break-up), Graham Rowley (sack) and Uona Kaveinga (sack).

Heaps says "the defense did play well, but at the end of the day, the offense just didn't come out to play. We just can't have practices like this as an offense. It's a real shame that we chose to come out here and not be focused and play...but we'll figure it out."

Of the Van Noy pick, Heaps says "they just called the perfect defensive call for the right play."

"My reads were somewhere else," said Heaps, "and Kyle just dropped right as I was throwing it. Before you throw that ball, you have to have that awareness, and it's a good lesson to go back and sharpen those things up."

"Kyle just made a great play, played great defense...kind of baited me a bit. I didn't see him until I was throwing the ball."

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Mendenhall said "the offense was sluggish today and didn't execute at nearly the same level as they'd been building up to."

"The defense had a stronger day today than our offense. I think most of it was mindset and coming ready for another day of competition, as (camp) is getting toward the end."

Closing practices to the press indicates that BYU is ready to move into Ole Miss game prep, while the team still has a couple more days of what might be considered "camp" practices.

"We started a little bit of Ole Miss film work and a couple of things today," said Mendenhall, "but once we hit Thursday, it'll be nothing in terms of BYU v. BYU."

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The coach revealed that scout team and potential redshirt decisions have already been made, and that of the newcomers to the program, three and likely four will play this season, as opposed to being eligible for a redshirt.

Junior college transfer CB Preston Hadley, who was with the team in spring, is penciled in as a starter at boundary corner, trying to hold off fellow newcomer and juco transfer Joe Sampson, who did not have the benefit of spring ball. Mendenhall says Sampson, like Hadley, will definitely play this season.

True freshman offensive lineman Ryker Mathews (who played in spring) will also play this season, as one of the top six players for five rotation spots on the line. In addition, true freshman Austin Heder is likely to play at either linebacker or fullback, or "maybe both, and special teams," says Mendenhall. "It might be a Iona Pritchard-type freshman season. He might be able to play some fullback, be a #3 at Mike, and be on some special teams. Wednesday we'll make a decision on him."

All other new players are headed for the scout team and a potential redshirt season. They are:

RB Adam Hine

WR Terrenn Houk

QB Alex Kuresa

S Gavin Fowler

DL Moses Kaumatule

DL Baker Pritchard

S Teu Kautai

OLB Lene Lesatele

ILB Va'a Niumatalolo

TE Stehly Reden

ILB Manoa Pikula

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In addition, true freshman TE Colby Jorgensen is out for the season after shoulder surgery in camp.

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The Heder situation illustrates Mendenhall's feelings about his fullback situation without Iona Pritchard (out for the season after suffering a dislocation fracture in the first scrimmage of camp).

Minus Pritchard (and also currently missing Zed Mendenhall, out with a sprained ankle), Mendenhall acknowledges RB Bryan Kariya is playing a "little more full (back), but that's not our ideal."

"If we have to do it that way, just the wear and tear on him--it would be hard for him to carry the ball as much as we'd like to. We'd rather not (use Kariya at FB); we're looking for other options to have there."

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Mendenhall was one of only four players kept out of practice today. The others were:

DE Hebron Fangupo (sore ankle; took a helmet hit in scrimmage)

ILB Austen Jorgensen (quad contusion from scrimmage)

WR Jordan Smith (bruised tailbone)

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Additionally, a handful of other banged-up players were held out of contact but otherwise active today:

TE Kaneakua Friel (hamstring)

FS Travis Uale (ribs)

OLB Alani Fua (concussion)

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Projected Ole Miss Depth Chart

OFFENSE

LT: Matt Reynolds, Ryker Mathews

LG: Houston Reynolds, Ryker Mathews (Marco Thorson could be listed as #2 LG, but R. Mathews would be first in after H. Reynolds)

C: Terence Brown, Blair Tushaus (H. Reynolds could also be first in at C after T. Brown)

RG: Braden Hansen, Houston Reynolds (Walter Kahaiali'i could be listed #2, but H. Reynolds would be first in at RG after Hansen)

RT: Braden Brown, Braden Hansen (Famika Anae could be listed #2, but Hansen would be first in at RT after B. Brown)

TE: Austin Holt, Richard Wilson OR Devin Mahina OR Marcus Mathews (also WR-Y)

WR-X: Cody Hoffman OR McKay Jacobson

WR-Z: Ross Apo, Rhen Brown

WR-H: J.D Falslev, Matt Marshall

QB: Jake Heaps, Riley Nelson

TB: J.J. DiLuigi OR Juice Quezada OR Bryan Kariya (also FB)

FB: Zed Mendenhall (out), Austin Heder? (decision on his playing/RS status on Wednesday)

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DEFENSE

LE: Graham Rowley, Hebron Fangupo

NT: Romney Fuga, Travis Tuiloma

RE: Eathyn Manumaleuna, Jordan Richardson

SLB: Jordan Pendleton, Jameson Frazier

MLB: Uona Kaveinga, Austen Jorgensen

BLB: Brandon Ogletree, Spencer Hadley

WLB: Kyle Van Noy, Ziggy Ansah OR Jadon Wagner

FC: Corby Eason, Jordan Johnson

Kat: Daniel Sorensen, Carter Mees OR Jray Galea'i

FS: Travis Uale, Mike Hague

BC: Preston Hadley, Joe Sampson

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PK: Justin Sorensen

P: Riley Stephenson

DS: Reed Hornung

PR: J.D. Falslev, McKay Jacobson

KR (pairings): Jordan Johnson/Mike Hague, Cody Hoffman/J.D. Falslev

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On the decision to close practices a little earlier than in the past, Mendenhall says "I haven't compared it to the rest of the programs, but for the first two weeks, we probably provided more access or equal to (the others). But at some point it has to get tactical, and that's good."

After this afternoon's second practice session, single workouts will follow from tomorrow though the end of the season.

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Numbers note: CB/KOR Jordan Johnson will share jersey #6 with WR McKay Jacobson this season.

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