Defense steps up

At the end of Friday's practice, the defense stepped up and took control of a brief 11-on-11 series. Safety Ryan Beck recovered a fumble by Ray Hudson on a sweep play that the offense contested was after the whistle. JC transfer corner Justin Robinson picked off Matt Berry, who was also intercepted in 7-on-7 by Chris Hale. Corner Nate Soelberg picked off a fade pass from John Beck in the end zone, stealing the ball out of the hands of receiver Joe Griffin.

Tough freshman

One of the standout qualities of freshman Luke Ashworth, aside from his 4.5 speed and 6-foot-2 size, is his aggressive attitude. This is a trait noted by former Jim McMahon receiver Danny Plater, who was a volunteer coach for Timpview and worked with Ashworth. "He is a guy who will fight for the ball," Plater said. "He can get nasty and tough when it comes to battling for a pass, and that's why he's going to make a good college receiver."

JC transfer arrives

Riverside Community College linebacker Chris Bolden took to the field Friday. Although he was in town this week, he was not cleared to play until his community college transcripts arrived. Bolden appeared swamped in Bronco Mendenhall's program that requires extensive running and conditioning. At this altitude, on a hot, dry day, Bolden needed some rest time after doing a series of drills where trainers made sure he was hydrated.

Secondary watch

A year ago, Mendenhall said his corners were short on numbers, ability and experience — and it may be more of the same this season with newcomers expected to emerge. "Yet as we did last year, regardless of the numbers, Spencer White came in and started against Notre Dame, although he hadn't had any experience except against Georgia Military," Mendenhall said. "Some people step up and play. We'll find them. The system does that. The expectation does that. Who it's going to be right now, I don't know. But by the end of camp, we'll know."

Mendenhall said much was made of his secondary last year, but in a blitz-oriented defense, much of the problem was a lack of pressure and intensity from the front seven.

"It's easy to make something of one statistic or another, but we're a pressure defense," he said. "We always will be. If the front will assume that challenge, it's amazing to see what a 4.8 player with instincts can do out there in the secondary."