Testy Practice at BYU

[St. Anger]

http://www.sltrib.com/home/2827949-155/byu-football-practice-marred-by-injury

Practice was interrupted twice after some minor skirmishes broke out and the players were directed through intense conditioning drills that included up-downs, sit-ups, push-ups and the like by new strength and conditioning coach Frank Wintrich. All told, about 40 minutes of the two hour-plus practice featured the entire team being punished.

At least four players — offensive linemen Parker Dawe, Ryker Mathews, Jacob Jiminez and Jaterrius Gulley — collapsed and/or fell to their knees when scrimmaging resumed after the drills. Dawe and Jiminez were helped from the playing area and were later diagnosed with heat exhaustion.

Also...

Offense shines

Defense generally ruled the Cougars' first two days of 11-on-11 work on Saturday and Monday, but on Tuesday the offense took over and dominated.

Senior quarterback Taysom Hill threw long touchdown passes to Devon Blackmon, Mitchell Juergens, Kurt Henderson and Moroni Lualu-Pututau, and freshman QB Tanner Mangum also moved the offensive well while getting some extensive work.

Mangum threw a pretty TD pass to freshman returned missionary Josh Weeks.

 

[St. Anger]

Well at least nobody got their jaw broken.

lol as I was posting the thread I was thinking maybe BYU are the Jets of college football.

 

[leodisflowers]

I've read a few of their practice reports as well. Sounds like their corners suck and some freshman are pushing for playing time. I think if we had the ability to pass at all we will eat them alive and then potential to really take over if we can run it. Still early, and you never know, but I'm worried about Taysom Hill going wild and that is about it from them. I think we matchup very well if Banker can keep hill in check.

 

[Husker.Wed.]

How far we have fallen that we are even worried about a game like this.

 

[dockentwo]

Its the d-line for Hill, and throw in a blitz. We have good corners, but too much time will get them beat on occasion.

 

[jay-cheese]

I know you're smart enough to realize our loss record over the last 15 yrs. That and you know that you can never take any opponent for granted. When healthy, Taysom Hill can ball with the best and elite QB's can make a poor team decent.

I'm not as worried as others here, but BYU is not a bottom dweller of a team and we're not coming off of an elite season either ...

GBR

 

[chicolby]

How far we have fallen that we are even worried about a game like this.

I don't think it's so much about how far we've fallen. Of course, this isn't your 90's Huskers teams that frankly didn't have to be worried about anyone, but even in the prime, heisman-caliber QBs should scare anyone. I remember a game vs. Central Florida when Daunte Culpepper torched Nebraska, though we still escaped with a win. I also remember a Troy Edwards explosion to the tune of 400 receiving yards.

When you play against special athletes (which I believe Hill is), then anything is possible. Throw in the fact that Nebraska lost its Superman in Ameer, has a new coaching staff, new schemes and frankly a very inconsistent QB, there should be reason for concern.

 

[huskerbux]

How far we have fallen that we are even worried about a game like this.

Not sure how far back we would need to go to NOT be worried about BYU. They are a solid program that can, at any time, bite someone. They have produced some great QBs in their history and even gotten the MNC in 84. Are they Alabama? No....but they are closer to Bama than a UAB so we shouldn't be acting like its a bad thing to be worried.
Throw in the uncertainty of a first game with a new staff. If you're not worried, I'd say pass me whatever it is you are smoking or drinking.

 

[Charlie Marlow]

Any word (other than coachspeak, Hill himself, etc) if Hill is truly back at 100%?

 

[Husker.Wed.]

I don't think it's so much about how far we've fallen. Of course, this isn't your 90's Huskers teams that frankly didn't have to be worried about anyone, but even in the prime, heisman-caliber QBs should scare anyone. I remember a game vs. Central Florida when Daunte Culpepper torched Nebraska, though we still escaped with a win. I also remember a Troy Edwards explosion to the tune of 400 receiving yards.

When you play against special athletes (which I believe Hill is), then anything is possible. Throw in the fact that Nebraska lost its Superman in Ameer, has a new coaching staff, new schemes and frankly a very inconsistent QB, there should be reason for concern.

Don't forget Nate Davis from Ball State, 422 yards passing and 61 rushing in the 2007 game.

 

[WestCoastCornhusker]

Any word (other than coachspeak, Hill himself, etc) if Hill is truly back at 100%?

I have serious doubts hill is legit back. I can't recall anyone ever fully recover from a broken leg and torn ligaments. Maybe his broken bone was a small bone.

 

[dockentwo]

I have serious doubts hill is legit back. I can't recall anyone ever fully recover from a broken leg and torn ligaments. Maybe his broken bone was a small bone.

Good point; he is a heck of a competitor though. Your point is especially to be tested, in the first game under heavy hitting. Especially the ligaments; 85 per cent running efficiency might be the level , and that doesn't get you to game changer. I would guess he could approach his non mobility based passing ability this quickly.

 

[ReuniteGondwanaland]

Looks like BYU will be out another player, linebacker Sione Takitaki, projected to be a starter or top reserve. Takitaki is apparently already on his 2nd chance after being briefly kicked off the team last year for fighting.

Brigham Young University Police have brought criminal charges against Sione Takitaki, a sophomore linebacker on the school's football team.

Campus police allege that Takitaki stole apparel from the school's soccer and track teams last month while he worked on the custodial staff at Smith Fieldhouse.

On Wednesday afternoon, BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall called Takitaki one of the two best pass rushers on the team.

 

[GretnaShawn]

Looks like BYU will be out another player, linebacker Sione Takitaki, projected to be a starter or top reserve. Takitaki is apparently already on his 2nd chance after being briefly kicked off the team last year for fighting.

Brigham Young University Police have brought criminal charges against Sione Takitaki, a sophomore linebacker on the school's football team.

Campus police allege that Takitaki stole apparel from the school's soccer and track teams last month while he worked on the custodial staff at Smith Fieldhouse.

On Wednesday afternoon, BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall called Takitaki one of the two best pass rushers on the team.

They also just lost another LB from a broken vertebrae. Serious injury. But not paralyzed. Happened a week after he got married.

 

[ReuniteGondwanaland]

They also just lost another LB from a broken vertebrae. Serious injury. But not paralyzed. Happened a week after he got married.

I think the linebacker they lost wasn't likely to play regardless. Sounds like surgery went well and so far they just say he's out for the year.

BYU also lost reserve cornerback Garrett Juergens with a broken clavicle. Not a starter, but pretty much their only backup CB who has any game experience whatsoever.

Between injuries and suspensions, BYU's only way to beat us may be if Taysom Hill is full speed and just beats us single-handedly. Which isn't out of the question.