The Game Plan meets the "Backup Plan"

You didn't think Austin Collie was going to return to action as "only" a wide receiver, did you?

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Today's first Northern Iowa practice featured #9 running routes (no defenders) as a wideout, but then going off with the quarterbacks to take snaps with them. And later, there was Austin, running plays at QB.

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That was undoubtedly the biggest news to come out of Cougartown today, and you can listen to interviews with Collie, Max Hall and Bronco Mendenhall--all of whom talk about the "double-duty" Collie may be pulling this season.

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Clearly, the Collie move indicates that there is less than full confidence in BYU's current backup quarterback situation. And the bottom line is, Collie is too good an athlete to not utilize in every way possible, and that includes giving him snaps behind center. As QB Coach Brandon Doman told me after practice, "he can play quarterback," meaning this isn't just a gimmick--Austin is that good a football player. Not that Doman or Bronco want to see Austin have to play QB right away, but he is being prepared, nonetheless.

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As Bronco made clear in his post-practice comments, Collie is part of a contingency plan, but may also be part of the weekly game plan, in order to find more ways to get his hands on the ball.

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Bronco starts his post-practice interview by talking about the decision to take practice indoors for the first time this month. The IPF workout was kind of a nice break from the sunshine of the last few weeks.

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A serious situation has developed surrounding RB Wayne Latu. Wayne and his wife Mary (Michael Alisa's sister) gave birth to a baby girl earlier this week, and there were complications involved in her premature birth. Latu missed scrimmage on Wednesday and practice today, and would be expected to be away for the near future (the Latus' daughter remains at Primary Children's Medical Center). Bronco said the situation is affecting the players "more than they are letting on." I think it's appropriate to say here that the team and the Latus (and Alisas) would appreciate any and all wishes and prayers on their behalf.

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Today was also the day the two-deep was on display, as Northern Iowa scout teams featured players who will not have a spot on the weekly depth chart. As I go into detail about players headed for scout duty, I recommend you listen to Bronco's comments today regarding scout players, and the kind of player it takes to embrace that assignment.

Players on scout team offense today:

QB: Stephen Covey, Christian Stewart

RB: Tucker Lamb, Jerry Bruner

WR: Tyler Kozlowski, B.J. Peterson, Landon Jaussi, Jameson Frazier, Rex Morgan, Matt Marshall

TE: Braden Brown, Jonathan McCullough

OL: Stetson Tenney, Mark Freeman, Nate Hartung, Lawrence Pico, Brock Stringham, Ron Best

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Players on scout team defense:

DL: Solomone Kafu, Kyle Luekenga, Victor Unga, Justin Blackmore (Note: Tevita Hola did not practice today, and Bronco says either he or Rick Wolfley will likely be a scout team NT)

LB: Masi Tuitama, Shane Hunter, Dustin Graham, Jeff Bell, Jefferson Court

DB: Ryan Love, Travis Uale, Tana Uyema, Cameron Comer, Garrett Nicholson, Byron Putnam, Brannon Brooks

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There aren't too many surprises on the scout team list, other than perhaps veterans Tyler Kozlowski and Kyle Luekenga. Also, defensive line depth will dictate that either Hola or Wolfley could he headed that direction. Stephen Covey may or may not end up coming in a game this season to run the option package inserted specifically for him, but either way, he will be a valuable scout team QB this season--especially in weeks BYU faces a running quarterback.

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PLayers missing due to injury today:

S Steven Thomas (back contusion)

OL Terence Brown (knee inflammation)

OL Tom Sorenson (shoulder)

DL Bernard Afutiti (neck strain)

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RB J.J. DiLuigi hurt his knee late in practice and sat out the last few plays. Absolutely nothing to worry about--he just banged knees with another player. He's fine, and as "good to go" as he was to start the day.

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Of the players listed above, only Sorenson (surgery next Tuesday) and Brown should be considered out for the Northern Iowa game.

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In addition, LB David Nixon was excused to attend a sister's wedding. He's back at practice tomorrow.

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As today was a typical "Monday-formatted" practice, players worked out in helmet and shorts, for just over an hour. The first-string offense and defense got looks at Northern Iowa's schemes, and Bronco thought the scout team work was excellent for a first go-round. I thought the first-string offense looked very sharp against the scout "D."

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In kicking situations today, Mitch Payne and Justin Sorensen performed as follows:

PAT: Payne (good), Sorensen (good)

28 yard FG: Payne (good), Sorensen (good)

37 yard FG: Payne (good), Sorensen (no good)

44 yard FG: Payne (good), Sorensen (good)

50 yard FG: Payne (no good--upright), Sorensen (good)

56 yard FG: Payne (good), Sorensen (good with yards to spare)

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Starters on the punt protect unit include Scott Johnson, Matt Bauman and Brett Denney (wall). Other notable players on the protect unit include Jason Speredon (gate), Garrett Reden (wall), Coleby Clawson, Michael Alisa and Andrew Rich.

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The first-string kick cover unit consists of: Rich, O'Neill Chambers, Daniel Sorensen, Shiloah Te'o, Bryan Kariya, Bauman (or Iona Pritchard), Clawson, Kaneakua Friel, Jeff Bell and Isaac Taylor.

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The primary punt returner was Reed White, while the kickoff return group was comprised of White, Chambers, Ashworth, Vakapuna, and G Pittman. Sorensen got a kickoff deep into the end zone again today.

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Austin Collie says the current plan is for him to run "Skelly" (6 v. 8, limited contact) in practice tomorrow, then practice in a full "Team" (11-on-11) situation on Monday. He says it may take a while for him to work his way back into "kick return mode." He says his focus right now is getting back at wide receiver (and evidently, quarterback).

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If you've been hearing rumblings about BYU donning all-white uniforms on the road this season, don't believe them. Bronco has no plans for such a switch, and the people "in the know" on this one say they would be "stunned" if he ever, ever changed the uniform color combos--home or away.

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