PROVO — So, how does BYU's preparation to open the season against Arizona compare to a year ago?
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall said the comparison is hard to make as he formally closed fall practice and started to put in a plan for Arizona on Wednesday.
"But what I can say," said the third-year coach, "is players came into camp in a higher state of readiness both in condition and confidence. Their execution early in camp, even with younger players, was higher, and I think they've sustained execution and workload more consistently than any of the other teams including last year," said Mendenhall.
What the 2007 team lacks is game experience, and they'll get a dose of that against Arizona, starting with sophomore quarterback Max Hall.
"There's going to have to be some experience and some lessons learned through experience for this team to really come together and move forward. But everything I hoped to accomplish as camp closes — I feel we're on track."
The Cougars open the season Sept. 1 against Arizona in LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Hall hasn't played a down of Division I football, but he's been an intense understudy, spending time at ASU and BYU as a scout quarterback and last year, when he was ineligible to play, he took in BYU's 11-2 season from the home press box with coaches Brandon Doman and Lance Reynolds. With Mendenhall giving Hall far more reps in fall practice than any other quarterback in years, Cougar coaches hope his exposure will go a long way in preparing him for battle against the Wildcats.
"I'm optimistic," said Mendenhall, who said the volume of plays thrown at Hall since last January may not replace a full season of experience, but it has been managed with the purpose to getting him ready for action.
Mendenhall would not compare 2006 with 2007 but pointed out BYU's losses to Arizona and Boston College made his 2006 a much better football team because of lessons learned. Those lessons directly led to that club going undefeated the rest of the season.
"This team will have learning experiences just like that team did. I'm not saying there will be losses, but they will shape this team the same. We've done all we can during fall camp, and now the games will determine where we'll go. They're looking forward to the games, looking forward to the lessons to be learned."
Mendenhall said his staff will spend all day Thursday working on an Arizona game plan and setting up scout team work. Friday's practice will be like a Monday practice heading into a game week. Saturday will be like a Tuesday, a heavy work day. "The rest of next week will be like a regular week."
Mendenhall said the only set of focus he hasn't hit hard — and for health reasons — is goal line stands. He expects to work on that later. "We had just five live plays, an odd number so there is a winner and a loser." Also, Mendenhall said the offense has not worked on a hail Mary pass situation. "But we'll get chances to do that later."
Mendenhall said he has been ready for camp to end two days ago as intensity among his players and staff has increased during 11-on-11 seasons.
"The team has hit each other enough, the coaches have coached against each other enough, and I've been in the middle of it enough," said Mendenhall. "Our team came in ready to compete and play. If they hadn't come in ready, maybe I'd feel differently, but really, it's been managing the intensity for the past five practices, and I'm ready for a break."
NOTES: Team drills included goal line stand Wednesday, and the defense and offense could claim some success. Austin Collie and Andrew George caught touchdown passes from Hall, but Grant Nelson and Bryan Kehl each tackled Fui Vakapuna and Wayne Latu for losses on separate plays. Chris Bolden forced a fumble from Manase Tonga in an intense and emotional goal line stand situation comprised of five plays. "We knew they'd come out angry and we had to get up for them, and we did," said tackle Jan Jorgensen.Ben Criddle intercepted Hall prior to that drill, taking the ball away from tight end Dennis Pita who may have lost the pass in the sun. Nose guard Mosese Foketi missed practice as true freshman Ethyn Manmaleuna is now the No. 1 nose tackle, backed by converted OL Rick Wolfley. Mitch Payne returned to kicking duties after missing drills with tendinitis. Freshman David Angilau saw time at nose guard as the staff continued to train players to replace injured sophomore Russell Tialavea. Linebacker Terrance Hooks is still waiting for signatures and counter signatures from Utah County court administrators before Mendenhall will allow him to don pads and practice. "Terrance is frustrated," said Mendenhall. "He's handling it great. He's done everything he's been asked to do, he's waiting for others to do their parts." Hooks has attended practices, and Mendenhall visited with Hooks privately after Wednesday's practice. BYU will not practice today but will have a team activity, which Mendenhall asked remain a private affair. Mendenhall said his staff has identified most of the redshirt players, met with them and are assigning special team and scout team players in preparation for Arizona during Friday's practice.
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com