PROVO — Time is closing in on BYU's season opener against Arizona on Saturday and coach Bronco Mendenhall said he still has several aspects of the game to work on today as his team finalizes a game plan for the Wildcats.
"We have a couple of situations to clean up, things that, if they happen in a game you'd feel bad if you hadn't worked on them," said Mendenhall. "After (Thursday), they'll all be done."
The Cougars and Wildcats kick off their seasons Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The game will be televised live nationally on Versus and regionally on The mtn. network.
Players went through a spirited practice Wednesday, working against Arizona scout teams both offensively and defensively. It is no secret Arizona has thrown out its offense deployed a year ago, one that averaged just over 16 points a game. The new look is from Texas Tech with the hire of former Red Raider offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes.
Fans in Tucson expect Arizona to hurl the football 50 to 60 times a game and bank that points will follow as the Wildcats eye a challenge to conference champion and national favorite USC.
That change is both a mystery and a familiarity to BYU. The Cougars are used to chasing receivers in practice, but how Arizona fine-tunes its Texas Tech offense to its talent and what emphasis is made is something only the game will illustrate.
Have the Cougar defensive staff left anything undone heading into the weekend after three weeks of camp?
"No, we feel pretty good over what we've got done," said secondary coach Jaime Hill. "Whatever happens will happen. We're not scared. We're not worried. Whatever happens, happens."
Senior corner Ben Criddle is still a little beat up, said Hill, but he'll be leading the way with senior Quinn Gooch Saturday as the Cougars play a little mirror image of their own offense, said Hill.
"Ben is ready to go. He's not a hundred percent, but he's gotta be ready to go and he can't worry about his situation (foot surgery). "
Hill does not have any plan for the number of reps Criddle will handle come Saturday, and he does not know if he will spell him with backup Andre Saulsberry at the boundary corner position.
"You just have to go out and play; play the game, play to play and don't worry about being taken out, just play," said the coach. -->
The Wildcats will likely throw more deep passes than the Cougars, utilizing the speed on the team, according to Hill. "We'll see what happens. We feel good about our preparation."
COUGAR NOTES: The Maori war dance, the Haka, is back. Players rehearsed their chants and moves after Wednesday's practice, led by junior H-back Bryce Mahuika. Both home and away, the Cougars have made it a tradition the past two seasons ... Mendenhall announced freshmen defensive backs Jordan Pendleton and Steven Thomas will redshirt and a third newcomer, receiver Jordan Smith, could be redshirted depending on health of receivers in the next few weeks ... Senior Matt Allen (broken finger) did catch passes with a cast on his hand on Wednesday. His status for the game will be made at game time.
SELLOUT RESONATES: LaVell Edwards Stadium is sold out, and that rings a cord with players. "I'm excited about that," said linebacker Bryan Kehl. "It means a lot to me. It means the fans are supporting us, and we're doing well and we're having success."
"Obviously, the attendance rises and falls with success and with wins and losses. I'm excited to see the stadium full. I think they can expect to see a great football contest. It might not be a high-scoring charade, but being a defensive player, I don't like that anyway. I expect it to be a defensive battle, much like it was last year down in the desert in Tucson. I would say to the fans to wear blue and come expecting victory."
O-LINE HEALTH: Tackle Dallas Reynolds, who was nursing a shoulder last year, said he's ready to go and the rest of the blockers are as healthy as can be expected. Led by senior center Sete Aulai, the front line will get all it wants out of Arizona, a team with 10 returning starters. "I think our offensive line is the best it gets in college football. Knowing that those guys are up there protecting me, it really gives the offense more confidence."
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com