COUGAR NOTES: Freshman corner G Pittman picked off QB James Lark in 7-on-7 drills, and freshman safety Jordan Pendleton, the all-stater from 5A champion Bingham High, got lots of reps with the second defense now that safeties Dustin Gabriel and David Tafuna are out for the year with injuries. Kellen Fowler will be the backup at both safety positions heading into the Arizona game until Pendleton progresses. Scott Johnson and Kayle Buchanan had interceptions. Guard Ray Feinga drew applause from fans on a run-pull block when he leveled Buchanan. Middle linebackers Shawn Doman (injury) and Terrance Hooks (legal issues) will return to the field on Monday.

'BLUE ZONE' D: Friday's morning session featured work on the "blue zone" tackling and the defense trying to pin down the offense near the goal line, plus plenty of special teams work. Kicker Mitch Payne made good on a series of field goal attempts as the distance challenge was increased play after play. Backup QB Brenden Gaskins (broken finger) returned to throwing with the twos and had more chances than at any time since he got injured. In the afternoon a lot of time went to two-minute drills.

TODAY'S SCRIMMAGE: According to Mendenhall, today's closed scrimmage will feature 40 plays instead of 60 and will feature selected first-team players and work on special teams cover and protection.

QUESTION MARKS: Questions over who might redshirt in 2007 will be determined later than usual, perhaps the week leading up to the opener. "It's a bit later than normal because of some of the depth issues," Mendenhall said. "Now that we have to train a few younger players that maybe we had considered redshirting, there will be some battles for some of those spots that might prolong it."

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com