Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
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The second Friday of camp came after an unscheduled day off for the Cougars, and had the offense struggling to put much together in the "Team" portion of practice. The only points generated in the 11-on-11 full contact situations today were by kicker Mitch Payne, who was good on field goals from 30 and 37 yards. Payne's 30-yarder came in a "full field" situation, while the 37-yarder came in an overtime scenario. Justin Sorensen missed from 47 yards on his overtime kick (wide right).
Today's "Team" period consisted of the offense having to cover a long field (except for the overtime work), whereas in recent days, the offense was given lots of "Blue Zone" and "goal line" opportunities.
Having said that, the offense did not move the ball well with the first string today, with QB Max Hall tossing his helmet in frustration after another third down incompletion in his third and final "full field" series.
In that series, RB Fui Vakapuna took a hit on his right arm/shoulder, and did not return--watching the remainder of practice with his helmet off.
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Earlier in practice, the kickers got a lot of live kicks in, with Payne good from 25 yds (twice), no good from 35, then good from 42 and 47 yards. Sorensen made all of his early kicks, going good from 25, 35 (twice), 42 and 47 (twice).
Bronco starts today's post-practice interview talking about the kicking competition. You can click the audio link to the right to hear his and all of today's interviews.
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Competition for positions was a theme of today's comments, with Bronco going into some detail on the battle for the safety and cornerback spots as well. I talked today with #1 boundary corner Scott Johnson, who started as a walk-on but is now a scholarship player. Johnson had a 3rd down knockdown of a Max Hall pass in "full-field" or "move it," while LB Coleby Clawson had a 3rd down sack of Brenden Gaskins in an OT series.
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In today's secondary, Jordan Pendleton was back after missing on Wednesday, but Daniel Sorensen took Pendleton's spot with the "twos" at Kat--playing behind Andrew Rich, who himself was with the "ones," as David Tafuna was held out of contact (concussion). Tafuna was playing with the first-string in non-contact "Skelly" drills, with Rich playing behind Kellen Fowler at free safety. Bronco says Rich is pushing Tafuna and Fowler at both safety spots.
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I spoke today with linebackers coach Barry Lamb, who was dealt an interesting hand this season with only David Nixon returning at the outside backer spot--this after the unexpected season-long absence of Grant Nelson. Lamb opens up talking about the Nelson departure and the shift of Vic So'oto to the defensive side of the ball.
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Punter C.J. Santiago may be a pleasant surprise for many Cougar fans frustrated with his inconsistency last season. His poor punts are rare, and his "boomers" much more frequent. 50 yard kicks are not unusual, and he usually uncorks a few 60-yarders in the course of the day.
By the way, I was more than mildly surprised that someone asked Bronco about whether he might redshirt Justin Sorensen this season. Redshirt the guy with perhaps the strongest leg in BYU placekicking history? Redshirt the guy Bronco has been waiting for almost two years to include in his game plan? Redshirt the guy who gets teammates and coaches actually excited about field goals? I mean, really...have you been watching this guy at all? Have you been listening to Bronco for the last two weeks?
Bronco's answer, by the way: No.
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Faces in the crowd: former safety Corby Hodgkiss, and former tight end Spencer Nead.
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Players missing due to injury today:
WR Austin Collie (stress fracture, leg)
DE Ian Dulan (shoulder)
FB Kelly Bills (concussion)
CB Garrett Nicholson (hamstring)
WR Spencer Hafoka (concussion)
WR Bryce Mahuika (quads) was back and cleared for contact today, although most of his activity came in non-contact periods.
WR Tyler Kozlowski (quad) was back in full contact today.
Hafoka won't play in tomorrow's scrimmage, but should be back on the field by Monday.
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C Tom Sorensen (shoulder) saw some light work with the offensive line today, and Bronco sounded encouraged about his prognosis.
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I haven't talked at all about RB Wayne Latu during camp, but he was very jumpy today, with at least two standout runs, one of which may have gone for a long touchdown but for a quick whistle downfield on first contact.
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Bronco talks in his post-practice summation about rumblings of a possible season opener v. Tulane in the Superdome next season. BYU has 6 home games and 5 road games scheduled for next year, with non-conference games v. Florida State and Utah State, and at Arizona State. The Tulane deal (if and when done) would have the Green Wave at some point returning to Provo, where it last visited for the first game of Gary Crowton's tenure in 2001.
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OL David Oswald is heard from today, as he discusses the returning cast of characters and the consistent personnel groupings on the front line.
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BYU has a scrimmage scheduled for tomorrow morning--Bronco discusses the planned format in today's post-practice interview. Check back tomorrow in the noon hour for the report from camp scrimmage #2.
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