BYU camp notes

Light Friday drills

After 10 days of practice and fatigue and sore legs setting in, BYU players took off the pads and went light Friday morning and afternoon working on blue zone scoring offense and two-minute offense. Receiver Joe Griffin caught a pair of touchdown passes and Matt Berry connected with Zac Collie for an 85-yard catch-and-run touchdown. In two-minute offense, John Beck led the first offense to a touchdown in four plays.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said Friday's practice without hitting could be a pattern for the fall to avoid injuries while keeping up execution. "Hopefully we've established a maturity to improve without contact drills and this will be something we can do in the future."

H-back receiver Bryce Mahuika returned for a full practice for the first time since separating his shoulder in July. Saia Hafoka, who plays the same position as Mahuika, also practiced after pulling a hamstring muscle. Offensive tackle Jake Kuresa practiced after a minor injury this week.

The Cougars will hold a closed scrimmage today.

Defensive rookies

With minor injuries keeping as many as 11 secondary players out of some practices this week, rookies like Stephen Covey, Brandon Howard and Justin Robinson have gotten plenty of playing time with freshman defensive end Kyle Luekenga and sophomore safety Corby Hodgkiss.

"We're having a lot of people step up right now and that's good to see," middle linebacker Cameron Jensen said. "Paul Walkenhorst and Justin Luettgerodt have also had outstanding practices. We need them all.

"Every day we're getting better. Every day we're having people learn the defense and get better. That's the most important thing. People keep making plays."

Getting worn down

"A decent practice, but not what we wanted," QB John Beck said of Friday's morning session, although the offense scored three times.

"We still have a lot to prove. A lot of people are tired. But that's part of what coach Mendenhall wants of us, to be mentally tough at all times. So, I think it's good. You are going to be tired in a game. In the fourth quarter your body is telling you to let down, that you are tired but you have to push through it.'