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PROVO — BYU's bye week felt a bit more like fall training camp or spring practices, at least according to offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick, as the Cougars got back to basics in trying to shore up its run game and improve on blocking concepts "at every position."
"We were really physical last week," head coach Kalani Sitake said. "We lean heavily on our sports scientists to tells us what we're allowed to do. We were able to get some hard work and some good looks at guys. We're hoping that as we go throughout this week that we'll start off fast right from the beginning."
Beyond the physical play of the lighter version of training camp, though, the Cougars also worked to get healthier. And it worked — in some cases — as BYU prepares to play at TCU for the first time since the Frogs' 38-28 win as Mountain West Conference opponents in 2011.
Roderick said wide receivers Kody Epps and Parker Kingston have worked themselves back into the rotation and "will both play in the game" Saturday (1:30 p.m. MDT, ESPN) at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
It will be just the second game that Epps, a redshirt sophomore, would be available, while Kingston returns for his sixth game after being marginally sidelined following an apparent hit to the head during the first quarter of the Cougars' 38-31 loss to Kansas.
Running back Aidan Robbins, the former 1,000-yard rusher at UNLV who has played in just two games after recovering from an undisclosed injury, is more to-be-determined. The Cougars added Miles Davis to the two-deep at tailback for the first time Monday, where he joins presumed starter LJ Martin and graduate transfer Deion Smith.
"He's able to do some things in practice, but he's not quite able to play yet," Roderick said of Robbins. "I think we're getting close, but I don't know yet."
But top tackler Ben Bywater will "probably" miss Saturday's game while recovering from an upper extremity issue, defensive coordinator Jay Hill said, while safety Talan Alfrey remains sidelined following a shoulder injury suffered in fall camp.
"Ben probably won't play, although he is getting closer each game," said Hill, noting Bywater's absence will be filled by Harrison Taggart, the former Corner Canyon star who started against Cincinnati. "(Backup linebacker) Isaiah Glasker looks like he's got a chance to be back."
The group, led by linebackers Max Tooley and AJ Vongphachanh who both passed the 250-tackle mark in the 35-27 win over Cincinnati, will be tasked to defend TCU running back Emani Bailey. Hill called the 5-foot-9, 217-pound tailback from Denton, Texas, one of the best backs the Cougars have faced all year.
Through six games, Bailey has averaged 5.7 yards per carry for 690 yards and two touchdowns, including 152 yards on 21 carries in last week's 27-14 loss to Iowa State that included the loss of starting quarterback Chandler Morris to an MCL strain.
Morris will be on the mend against BYU, replaced by redshirt freshman Josh Hoover. While the youngster remains less proven, BYU coaches know exactly what they are facing in Bailey, who played two seasons at Louisiana before transferring closer to home.
"That running back, No. 9, is phenomenal," Hill said.
While the Cougars' linebacker room continues to mend, the safeties have been disproportionately stung by early injuries. Presuming starting strong safety Micah Harper was lost for the season with a knee injury in fall camp, and Alfrey's shoulder ailment would push the redshirt sophomore who had 41 tackles, two pass breakups and an interception a year ago to debut at least midway through the season.
Yet BYU's defensive backs have been among the strong points of a defense that leads the Cougars, from cornerbacks Eddie Heckard, Kamden Garrett and Jakob Robinson to fill-in safeties Ethan Slade, Crew Wakley, Raider Damuni and Tanner Wall among those leaning on returning starter Malik Moore in Alfrey's absence.
"I think coach Hill does a good job preparing everyone, whether you are starting or three or four deep," said Wakley, the Utah State transfer who started at Arkansas but was injured on the first play. "We are all held to the same standard, and everyone has the same expectation. I think we also have a lot of good leaders in the room which is super helpful as well."
