PROVO -- Middle linebacker and Butkus Award candidate Rob Morris thinks BYU's defense has the potential of being better than last year's.

That's saying a lot -- considering the Cougars held opponents to under 20 points a game and were among the best in the country.That's also presuming BYU resolves its questions in the defensive backfield, particularly at cornerback.

Right now, the Cougars are planning on the return of Heshimu Robertson in August after he finishes serving a suspension for Honor Code violations.

Last year's other starter, Brian Gray, is fighting to remain academically eligible and, as a result, has missed a few practices this spring.

"The key is to get Heshi back and keep the ones we have," said coach LaVell Edwards. "If we can do that, our defense will be taken care of."

BYU is trying to shore up that position. The Cougars have received a commitment from York Frierson, who has been a star at Los Angeles Southwest JC, the same school that produced former Cougar corner Tim McTyer. To be eligible, Frierson must first earn his associate's degree.

NOT PLAYING: Quarterback Kevin Feterik will sit out of Saturday's Blue-White game to avoid injury. Brandon Doman will quarterback the Blue team and Charlie Peterson will guide the White squad. Kevin Gilbride and Bret Engemann should also take snaps, said offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

Besides Feterik, other stars who will miss the scrimmage as a precautionary measure are Morris, defensive lineman Byron Frisch and running back Junior Mahe.

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GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Chow expects Feterik to raise his game to a new level in this, his senior season. "He is a year older and wiser," Chow said. "He's looked up to as a leader and like I tell him, he needs to respond in that way. I think he'll have a big year. A huge year."

MUST-SEE SCHEDULE: BYU's 1999 schedule has a number of quirks. The Cougars will open the season with a pair of ESPN Thursday night games at home and will play their first three and four of their first five in Provo. In fact, including its game against rival Utah State, BYU won't leave the state until Oct. 16, when it travels to New Mexico.

Besides that, BYU's home lineup is being trumpeted as the best in school history. No one's arguing, what with Washington, Colorado State, Virginia, California, Air Force and Utah coming to town.

"It's a great home schedule, the best at home I can recall," Edwards said. "If we can get on a roll and win our home games, we'll have a good season."

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