BYU football: Moose is ready to fill in wherever line needs

PROVO — BYU fans have no idea who he is. Heck, most of his own teammates don't even know his real name.

But Marco "Moose" Thorson is expected to play a key role in the Cougars' offense this season in providing protection for quarterback Max Hall and opening holes for the running backs.

The 6-foot-3, 321-pound sophomore has taken over at left guard on the offensive line — the spot vacated by Jason Speredon, who suffered a season-ending torn rotator cuff injury last week. Thorson is cross-training at center and right guard as well.

"I'll go in where coach needs me to go," Thorson said. "I feel comfortable at left guard and I like it there, but I'm also willing to go wherever he throws me in."

Meanwhile, starting left tackle Matt Reynolds has been out with a fractured hand. Coach Bronco Mendenhall said Thursday Reynolds is "possible" for the Sept. 5 season-opener against Oklahoma. If Reynolds can't play, freshman Braden Hansen will earn the start at left tackle.

Given those injuries, BYU's offensive line has undergone plenty of adjustments already.

"Jason was having an excellent camp before he went down," Thorson said. "I definitely feel for him because he worked so hard. But the work must go forward. You fill in. It gives opportunities for guys to step up. Almost every time there's a chance for a someone to step up, someone does. It's worked out kind of nice, actually. You have to be able to adapt when guys go down. It's not easy to do, but it's something you've got to do."

Right guard Terence Brown has been impressed with both Thorson and Hansen.

"Braden is really good. Moose is also good," he said. "Honestly, it's amazing how someone gets hurt and someone steps up. We're doing a really good job of dealing with those things. We're still going to be good."

The adversity faced by the O-line in fall camp has brought the group even closer together. "You're with five guys, there's no attention on you, and you just play together," Brown said. "It's like your own little family within the family out there. It's been great. We have fun together and things are coming together on the field. We all enjoy each other, and that has helped a lot. We've got a couple of guys down, no big deal. Someone else will step up and we'll play together."

Mendenhall said the offensive line has improved since being whistled for countless penalties during last Saturday's scrimmage.