Success after Beck hinges on O-line play

Some argue that next season without 10,000-yard passer John Beck and 3,000-yard rusher Curtis Brown, or tight ends Jonny Harline and Daniel Coats, the Cougars will be rebuilding offensively and despite returning almost every defensive starter, will experience serious growing pains defending as champs.

On the other hand, there is evidence the Cougars have already ended the most ugly part of four losing seasons, the heavy work has been done and BYU football has advanced past throwing freshmen quarterbacks and linemen on the field like meat to a pack of lions.

Arizona State transfer Max Hall, operating as a redshirt quarterback on BYU's scout team, has been impressive. While ineligible to play this year, he is learning from Beck, Anae and Brandon Doman — a redshirt season neither John Beck nor Doman got when they started.

Cougar defensive captain Cameron Jensen, who faces Hall every day, says Hall is extremely competitive and makes plays. "He's as good as any starting quarterback we've faced. I'd put him up with any of them. He doesn't have the personnel around him on the scout team that our starters have," said Jensen.

Jensen isn't one to exaggerate. Still, Hall will start next season without any Division I experience.

The real sign of progress, however, may be foundational, according to senior offensive tackle Jake Kuresa, who claims that a conference title and national ranking in 2006 are only the beginning of what Bronco Mendenhall started in Dec. 2005.

The key to BYU's future is already in place — offensive linemen.

"Back when BYU was winning title after title, they consistently had good offensive linemen and a lot of them. Back then it was rare for anyone but a junior or senior to start because of the depth of the line, because it was so mental. We're getting back to that now."

BYU's last great offensive line before this season was 2001, a group coached by Lance Reynolds. They opened holes for Luke Staley, but they'd been tutored by Roger French, who departed in 2000 with LaVell Edwards.

The group included senior starters Teag Whiting at guard and center Jason Scukanec. Juniors Dustin Rykert and Ben Archibald were the tackles and juniors Aaron McCubbins and Issac Herring traded time at the other guard position. They dominated, paving the way for 6.47 yards per BYU offensive play.

In 2006, Kuresa's Cougars are averaging 6.8 yards per play and will return every starter up front but Kuresa in 2007.