PROVO — His first BYU-Utah game was viewed on the sideline last year in LaVell Edwards Stadium.

That won't be the case this time for BYU sophomore cornerback Brandon Bradley, who got his first career start in a win over Air Force a week ago.

"I'm excited," said Bradley. "This is the first time I'll actually have a part in it because last year I didn't have a chance to play. I was on the sideline cheering on the team."

In that game he saw the competitive intensity of how the Utes and Cougars got after it in last year's BYU win.

"I know how big a rivalry this is. I'm trying to pay the price to get ready for the game. This is what we play for, this is what we practice for, and this is what it is all about. You cannot ask for any more than this."

Bradley, from Tallahassee, Fla., signed with Louisville out of high school, then went on an LDS mission to Brazil.

Upon returning home, without attending Louisville, he decided to enroll at BYU. He immediately suffered a serious knee injury, which took him a redshirt year, plus a second season to recover.

BYU defensive coordinator Jaime Hill played Bradley, who is 6-0, 210, in place of the smaller Brandon Howard against the Falcons last week, and he responded with three solo tackles.

Many BYU fans have been pitching more playing time for Bradley since two-a-days began when the Cougars started the season with Scott Johnson and Howard at the corner spots. Johnson played corner and then safety in nickel situations, which opened the door for more playing time for Bradley. Johnson suffered a rare double groin tear in a win over San Diego State two weeks ago and won't be back until a bowl game.

Seeing playing time has made all the difference in the world, said Bradley. "I'm loving it right now."

"Getting more reps has been huge, it's like once you are out there, it's a whole different perspective to see things the way you do in practice and then do it in a game against somebody else in game speed."

Utah's receivers will give Bradley a tremendous challenge, but it's one he welcomes with his extended role on the team. The Cougars will parlay playing time between Howard, Bradley, Andrew Rich and Gary Nagy at the corner positions.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com