Catching up with Collie...

Before the NFL season began, I got in touch with Austin Collie, and asked him if he would write a short piece for "Cougar Tracks," detailing his experiences covering the span of time from the NFL combine to his first Indianapolis Colts training camp.

Austin graciously agreed, and I promised to then follow up during the season to see if he wouldn't mind providing us with an update. So, here it is, in Austin's own words:

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"The last time I wrote on this blog I was participating in training camp in Terre Haute, IN and had informed you about my progress in learning the playbook and becoming acclimated with the new NFL lifestyle.

We have started the season 5-0, and so far it has been a blast. There have been a lot of growing pains and an immense amount of learning throughout each practice and game, but every day becomes a little easier.

Two weeks ago I was able to score my first NFL touchdown on a fade route against Seattle, which quickly became my favorite football moment.

Immediately after I had caught the ball I felt a weight lifted on my shoulders. Since that catch I have been able to play more relaxed and have felt more comfortable with the offense and the guys I play with. It was an ice-breaker for my NFL career and is just a start to what is hopefully a successful and productive season.

There are still plenty of things I need to correct, learn, and prove as weeks go on, and I am looking forward to the opportunity. Thank you so much to those who have followed the start of my career and I hope you continue to do so.

Thanks again."

Sincerely,

Austin Collie

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FYI, Collie's totals through five games: 20 rec, 228 yds, 3 TD.

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On his radio show last night, Bronco Mendenhall previewed Saturday afternoon's meeting with SDSU, updated the status of his injured players, and revisited scheduling woes.

I invite you to listen to the entire "Bronco Mendenhall Show," but here's the weekly show recap--

: at the season's midway point, Bronco declared his 5-1 team "good," but "not great," saying "great football teams win conference championships." He added that "how it finishes will be fun to watch."

: the coach called his teams national rankings of 17th (Harris), 18th (AP) and 19th (Coaches') "very fair...and accurate." He said BYU does not deserve to be ranked any higher than where the team is slotted right now.

: asked to name Offensive and Defensive MVPs at the midway mark, Mendenhall selected the entire offensive line and safety Scott Johnson as hi honorees. He singled out Brandon Ogletree, Blake Morgan and deep snapper John Pace for special teams recognition.

: Bronco called San Diego State defensive coordinator Rocky Long "an expert and a master at using his resources," citing Long's "toughness, work ethic and creativity" as factors in the Aztecs' defensive improvements. As soon as new SDSU head coach Brady Hoke hired Long, Mendenhall says he "knew they would be a lot better" on defense. Bronco added that "it's fun to see a culture change with a good leader."

: Mendenhall said Long left the head coaching post at New Mexico because he was probably not "appreciated" at a high enough level, tiring of poor attendance among other issues. Bronco says Long "wanted to be a football coach again," and the new job at SDSU gave him that opportunity.

: Regarding BYU's personnel/health concerns, Bronco said backup linebacker Brandon Ogletree will be back in action after two games away (groin) and will be used normally; NT Russell Tialavea (knee) might be back this week, but the coach indicated Tialavea could still be "a week away right now." Tialavea has not practiced this week, and will have to practice Thursday to be eligible to play on the weekend--that also goes for FB Manase Tonga and FS Scott Johnson. Neither had practiced as of Wednesday, with Johnson "closer to playing" than Tonga. Bronco says he always waits until after the Thursday practice to make judgment calls on player status.

: WR Mckay Jacobson (hamstring) is "on schedule," and "ideally" would return for the TCU game, with Bronco acknowledging Jacobson might be further out and need the bye week before returning to action.

: If Tonga can't play Saturday, look for Bryan Kariya to get most of the fullback snaps. If Johnson can't play v. SDSU, Craig Bills steps in at FS, while Travis Uale remains the fourth safety.

: asked about Austin Collie's breakout rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts, Bronco said Collie's success "doesn't come by accident," noting that the wideout was a "film rat" at BYU. Mendenhall noted former Cougar Aaron Francisco is also on the Colts' roster, and said the "Colts think highly of BYU players, and are looking for others to come" to Indy.

: Bronco says BYU is "struggling" to fill three schedule openings in 2011. He says BYU "might have to make a concession" and play a two-for-one, if the team requesting it is a "Top 5"-type program. The coach says he and AD Tom Holmoe have had extensive schedule conversations in the past two weeks, with Bronco admitting that his "internal clock is starting to ring," and that BYU is "having a difficult time" filling its schedule.

: as for this weekend's game, Bronco says he's "expecting a difficult game," calling the Aztecs "well-prepared, athletic, and good enough to beat us."

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BYU faces an Aztecs team coming off a bye this week. Under Bronco Mendenhall, BYU is 4-1 facing rested teams; wins at UNLV (2005), at TCU (2006), v. UCLA (2008) and at Utah State (2008)--the loss was at Tulsa (2007).

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Of the top 12 active FBS coaches (ranked by win percentage), the MWC and the SEC account for half of them--no other conferences has a many as three coaches in the top 12:

2. Urban Meyer, Florida (SEC)

4. Mark Richt, Georgia (SEC)

6. Bronco Mendenhall, BYU (MWC)

8. Gary Patterson, TCU (MWC)

11. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina (SEC)

12. Kyle Whittingham, Utah (MWC)

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