Camp Cougar, Day 15

Bronco Mendenhall declared today's practice the best one of camp, and that's called good pacing, because tomorrow is a 50-play scrimmage, followed by a no-practice "prep day," followed by the first Northern Iowa practice. You could say the Cougars are "peaking at the right time." Or you could hear Bronco talk about it himself, by clicking his audio link to the right.

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Bronco starts by addressing the ever-changing "Tom Sorensen situation," as an injury setback is now leading to diagnostic arthroscopic surgery on the junior center's right shoulder next week.

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WR Austin Collie had his football shoes on today, and actually ran some half-speed, straight ahead stuff in early practice pass-catching drills--then did some running on the side during practice. Trainer Kevin Morris pronounced himself pleased with Collie's progress, and is hoping to have him available for the Northern Iowa opener.

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Today's list of players missing practice due to injury: (in addition to Collie and Sorenson):

OL Terence Brown (knee inflammation)

DL Kyle Luekenga (hamstring)

S Steven Thomas (back contusion)

LB Dustin Graham (sprained ankle)

DL Ian Dulan (shoulder)

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CB G Pittman (concussion) was dressed, but held out of most drills and contact. He will likely be held out of tomorrow's scrimmage as well.

LB Matt Ah You (stinger) was back and took part in all drills and periods.

WR/PR/KR Reed White is nursing bruised ribs, but was participating in most periods of practice.

OL Jason Speredon finished practice with his jersey and pads off and an ice wrap on his right shoulder.

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Besides Bronco, today's interviews include conversations with linebacker and team captain David Nixon, and running backs coach Lance Reynolds. Reynolds goes into great detail about his stable of top backs, and speaks in very positive terms about Harvey Unga's potential for improvement and Fui Vakapuna's recent "second wind."

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Today's practice concluded with the offense placed at midfield in a "two-minute drill" format, but Bronco said the emphasis was on the defensive response. Having said that, the offense failed to score in two such scenarios. In two overtime situations, Fui Vakapuna had a short touchdown catch on Max Hall's one series.

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Practice started as usual with placekicking situations, and today was a rare "off day" for both Mitch Payne and Justin Sorensen. Both were 2/2 on PATs and 1/1 on 35 yard FG attempts, but from 40 yards and beyond, both guys struggled. Payne and Sorensen each missed from 40 yards, Payne appeared to miss (very close) and Sorensen made from 45 yards, and both missed from 50 yards.

Bronco says he expects to make a decision on placekicking roles next week, and would prefer not to change those roles from week-to-week during the season. He wants to give the competition as long as possible to play out, but adds it's very possible both guys will end up kicking field goals this season--i.e Sorensen long, Payne short.

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During a punt period, Payne and Sorensen each got to try their hand (foot) at punting. Payne's one punt I saw went off the side of his foot out of bounds, while Sorensen's punt went 60 yards downfield.

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Reed White remained the primary punt returner today, with the following combos used in kickoff return: White/Ashworth, Vakapuna/Chambers, White/Unga and Ashworth/Chambers.

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WR Bryce Mahuika is back as the #1 placekick holder, but at this point, his role as a receiver is very much in question. I haven't seem him run a "live route" practically since camp started, and I can't imagine he's high on Robert Anae's list of options right now.

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I asked Bronco about DE Ian Dulan's prolonged absence and his tenuous hold on a starter's spot, and the coach hinted that Dulan may end up hard-pressed to unseat Brett Denney and/or Bernard Afutiti--both of whom have impressed at left end while Dulan has remained out with an injured shoulder.

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Bronco says tomorrow's scrimmage will be used to determine some depth chart questions (beyond the first-string), and special teams assignments. Most starters will be held out.

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Former BYU receiver/kick returner and current radio superstar Nate Meikle was in attendance at today's practice. His recent fame as KSL's sideline reporter has created security issues at the football facility, with the staff on hand unable to fully control the crowds that follow him around.

Yes, Nate returns to us for another season on the sidelines, and hopefully you're as excited as we are to have him back.

By the way, I hope you all caught the Deseret Morning News article in which Reed White speaks of emulating Nate as a punt returner ("He's someone who could make guys miss and just get straight up field"). True dat...

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