From Deseret News archives:

BYU football: Cougars focused on Max protection

Published: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008 12:11 a.m. MDT
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So far in fall camp, Sorensen, R.J. Willing and Reynolds have taken turns playing center. The versatile Willing is expected to make significant contributions, having played tackle, guard and center in his Cougar career. He started 11 games as a freshman in 2004 and saw action in all 13 games a year ago. Others expected to see playing time include freshman Matt Reynolds (who redshirted last season after a mission), Garrett Reden, Nick Alletto and Jason Speredon.

SIGHTS ON PERFECTION: BYU's offense as a whole is deep and experienced. Knowing this, Hall is hard on himself and his teammates. He's shooting for perfection.

"Max, I think, expects to throw a touchdown pass every time he throws it and score every time he's out there on the field, which is how you'd like our quarterback to be," Mendenhall said. "He has high expectations, not only for himself, but our team. He'd like to show that through his actions on the field, so I like it. But it bothers him when it's not just perfect."

"There's so many things we need to work on," Hall said. "We need to expand the offense and get better at the little things."

Mendenhall added that Hall has improved dramatically in every way since last fall camp — just weeks before making his first collegiate start.

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Hall is clearly comfortable with his role on this team, and why wouldn't he be? He has numerous weapons at his disposal, including running back Harvey Unga, tight end Dennis Pitta and wide receiver Austin Collie, who is nursing a stress fracture in his leg and will miss the first few weeks of fall camp.

On top of that, Hall is starting his third year in the program.

"The system doesn't change very much," Mendenhall said of Hall. "He has a chance to master the system each and every day without much uncertainty. When you consider who he has protecting him, who he has to throw the football to and who he has to hand off to, I see those as all being positive things."

Camp Central

First down: Overall, Monday's practice was sloppy and a little bit undisciplined, according to head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

As good as the first day was, and I praised them, from the early kicking session, the volume of kicks it took to get that up to standard carried through for quite a bit of the practice, he said.

Head-turner: Harvey Unga had a long run on a non-contract drill. Placekicker Mitch Payne looked good, nailing several field goals.

Injury report: Running back Fui Vakapuna was still limited in his participation in practice due to a lingering hamstring injury.


E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com

Recent comments

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re:Bob | Aug. 5, 2008 at 10:54 p.m.

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Detmer is RETIRED | Aug. 5, 2008 at 8:44 p.m.

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