BYU football: Defense reminiscent of '06

PROVO — BYU defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen sees similarities between the 2006 Cougar defense and the one that will take the field this fall.

"It's just like two years ago. We had an experienced offense and on defense we only had a couple of starters back," said Jorgensen, a first-team All-Mountain West Conference performer last season. "We ended up having the best defense in the conference. This year, we will be very solid. We have to be smart and know our assignments."

With a veteran offense returning in 2008 — 10 starters are back, including four first-team All-MWC honorees — the key to the Cougars' fortunes could lie in the defense, which lost eight starters.

Certainly, there are question marks about the defense, but that's nothing new for BYU. Two years ago, the Cougars had linebacker Cameron Jensen and numerous unproven or inexperienced players surrounding him. Additionally, BYU switched from a 3-3-5 defensive scheme to a 3-4 alignment during the spring of 2006.

But the Cougars' defense ended up helping BYU finish 11-2 and claim the conference championship.

During fall camp last year, BYU lost safeties Dustin Gabriel and David Tafuna to injuries, allowing Corby Hodgkiss to become the starter. Late in the season, another starting safety, Quinn Gooch, suffered a knee injury, shelving him for the season.

Despite those injury woes, the Cougar defense pressed on, leading the MWC in total defense (allowing 307 yards per game) and helping carry BYU to another 11-2 season and another league title.

This year, the Cougars have lost two mainstays from that defense, linebackers Bryan Kehl and Kelly Poppinga, as well as most of the defensive secondary.

"I'm not worried about the secondary," Jorgensen said. "Our secondary will be more athletic than it's been in years. The coaches have the right system, and they have the players in the right places."

Scott Johnson, Brandon Howard, Brandon Bradley and G Pittman are vying for the starting cornerback spots. Bradley is one of the players who have impressed Jorgensen the most during summer workouts. Bradley suffered a serious knee injury just days before fall camp in 2006 but appears poised to make an impact on the field this season.

"It's been a slow process for Brandon," Jorgensen said of the Tallahassee, Fla., native. "He's playing the best that I've ever seen him play."