From Deseret News archives:
Cougars' special teams still have some work left to do
After all, the Cougars are breaking in a new punter, junior C.J. Santiago, and a new placekicker, redshirt freshman Mitch Payne.
Against the 'Cats, it showed.
"We need a lot of work," Mendenhall said.
Santiago's first few punts were poor, including a 23-yarder, before settling down later. He boomed a 48-yarder that pinned Arizona down at its own 1-yard line.
"C.J. had some kicks that I'm sure he'd like back," Mendenhall said. "It's interesting to me even with the relative success the past two years that the fans would be that harsh that early. I didn't appreciate that. But at the end, I think he redeemed himself. It will take time. I think we knew that."
A bad snap prevented Payne from hitting a PAT, and he missed a 36-yard field goal attempt.
Mendenhall said he was most surprised by the bad snap because during fall camp, that facet of special teams had been precise.
The kicking game will be a point of emphasis this week, Mendenhall said, as the Cougars prepare to visit UCLA next Saturday.
TRIBUTE TO NO. 14: BYU senior safety Corby Hodgkiss began fall camp No. 3 on the depth chart behind Dustin Gabriel and David Tafuna. But after Gabriel and Tafuna were lost with season-ending injuries in August, Hodgkiss was ready to step up to a starting role.
Against Arizona, he turned in a solid outing, recording a team-high two pass-breakups and four tackles, including one for a loss.
"It felt great out there," Hodgkiss said. "I felt like I played well."
What's more, he wears No. 14, which was retired at halftime Saturday in honor of legendary Cougar quarterbacks Gifford Nielsen and Ty Detmer. Hodgkiss will be allowed to wear No. 14 for the rest of the season, and he will be the last player to wear that number at BYU.
"I'm just proud and honored to wear (No. 14)," he said. "I wanted to play well for my team and to get the win. I'm happy to honor (Nielsen and Detmer)."
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: In last season's 16-13 setback at Arizona, the Cougars rushed for only 24 yards.
Saturday, BYU rolled up 104 yards on the ground, led by Harvey Unga's 67.
NOTES: Saturday marked the first sellout at LaVell Edwards Stadium since 2004 season-opener against Notre Dame. The announced attendance was 64,585.... BYU's first-quarter touchdown by Unga marked the 15th consecutive game that the Cougars have scored first, dating back to last season's contest against Tulsa.... BYU's 11-game winning streak is second-longest in the nation. Boise State owns the longest streak with 12 straight wins... Running back Manase Tonga was sidelined Saturday to serve a suspension after a run-in with the law in July. He'll play this week against UCLA.
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com
