BYU football notebook: Cougars to face another terrific QB in Kaepernick

PROVO — For the fourth consecutive week, BYU's defense is set to face one of the nation's best quarterbacks.

The Cougars have already gone up against Washington's Jake Locker, Air Force's Tim Jefferson and Florida State's Christian Ponder. This week, it's Nevada's Colin Kaepernick.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said he has already been dreaming about Kaepernick. And he's hoping the 6-foot-6, 225-pound senior isn't a nightmare for the Cougar defense, which ranks No. 119 nationally against the run and No. 98 in total yards allowed.

"I'm seeing him in my sleep," Mendenhall said. "This quarterback is very good. You're going to see an offense that's very similar to Air Force, except with a downfield throwing game. Their drop-back passing game is exceptional. A lot of different moving parts to it, but the quarterback at any one point can rush the ball for 100 yards and make it look effortless. And he's fast and he's big and he throws it well. Between Locker, Jefferson, Ponder and now (Kaepernick), it's kind of the 'Who's Who' of quarterbacks this year. It'll be a good test for us."

Kaepernick, who directs Nevada's "pistol" offensive scheme, ranks No. 2 in the country in total offense. The reigning Western Athletic Conference player of the week helped lead the Wolf Pack to a convincing 52-31 victory over California last Friday. Kaepernick rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 181 yards and two more TDs against the Golden Bears.

"He's deceptively fast," BYU defensive lineman Vic So'oto said of Kaepernick. "He's smart and he can throw the ball. That's what's kind of different. It's kind of like playing Air Force, with Ponder back there (at quarterback)."

INJURY UPDATE: On Sunday, one day after BYU's 34-10 loss at Florida State, Mendenhall received the injury report from head trainer Kevin Morris.

That report was "not good," Mendenhall said, explaining that 13 players were listed — the most of any game so far this season. Offensive tackle Matt Reynolds, center Terence Brown, safety Andrew Rich and cornerback Brian Logan were among those who missed playing time against the Seminoles due to injury. Each of those players were scheduled to undergo an MRI Monday, according to Mendenhall.

Morris is expected to provide an update on the status of the injured players today.

NO STARTER NAMED YET: As of Monday, Mendenhall was not ready to name a starting quarterback for Saturday's game.