The 213-yard mark equaled the 10th highest single-game performance in Cougar history, tying wide receiver Eric Drage, who had 213 receiving yards against Air Force in 1993. It was the third-best receiving game by a BYU tight end in history, only behind Gordon Hudson's 259-yard performance against Utah in 1981 and David Mills' 225-yard effort against Air Force in 1984.

Mendenhall said opposing defenses have to choose between slowing down either running back Harvey Unga or the tight end.

"With the routes that we have designed, and the player at that position, you can't take away the run game and the receivers, and focus there, at the expense of the tight end and be able to stop it," the coach explained. "It's not possible."

SCOUTING THE HUSKIES: While many people spent Labor Day at a movie theater, Mendenhall watched film — of Washington. In fact, he watched nine recent games played by the Huskies.

His thoughts on UW?

"Their quarterback is one of the best athletes in college football," Mendenhall said. "He's big, and he's fast. I've been very impressed with him."

The Huskies were trounced 44-10 at Oregon last Saturday, but Mendenhall indicated it's hard to derive much from an opening game.

"As you watch the game and look at the score, there's always different stories. It was 24-10 for a long time there, then a few plays get away from them at the end," he said. "But most teams from game one to game three, there's a lot of things that can happen in terms of personnel, in terms of corrections, and in terms of the way they play, so I'm not sure you can read too much in any of the first-game experiences for any team. Maybe by the time three games are done, or four, you'll have a lot better idea of what the teams are. Certainly, there's urgency for everybody right now to get better. It's the same for us."

THE KICKER: BYU has two talented placekickers, sophomore Mitch Payne and freshman Justin Sorensen. But the Cougars did not attempt a field goal in the season-opener. Mendenhall said Monday that Payne will attempt kicks from inside the 35-yard line. From 35 to 38 yards is "by gut feel." Anything 40 yards and longer will be handled by Sorensen.

"Today (in practice) we were attempting field goals from over 60 yards, and Justin has enough distance from there," Mendenhall said.

• Here's a rundown of the top 3 single-game receiving performances by a BYU tight end:

Game ... Yards
1. Gordon Hudson vs. Utah, 1981 ... 259
2. David Mills at Air Force, 1984 ... 225
3. Dennis Pitta vs. Northern Iowa, 2008 ... 213

---

E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com