PROVO — As a freshman in 2007, BYU running back Harvey Unga exploded onto the scene, rushing for 1,227 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a sophomore, Unga turned in another 1,000-yard rushing campaign but he didn't always seem like the same player he was in '07.

An ankle sprain as well as shoulder stingers and sprains hampered him at times.

During the off-season, though, Unga's body has had a chance to heal.

"I felt kind of dinged up after last year. I took quite a beating," said the 6-foot, 239-pound junior. "I feel great now. I tried really hard to recover as quickly as possible this off-season just to get back into the groove of things. I feel a lot better."

Coach Bronco Mendenhall said that Unga is "probably the most healthy he's been," adding that Unga's play this spring reminds him of the way Unga looked going into his freshman year "when he had what I consider an excellent year. The way he's running and carrying his weight now is more similar to that than it was a year ago."

As a team, Unga said, there is a much different feel this spring compared to 2008.

"Last year at this time there was quite a bit of hype of this and that going on and who was getting what and where we're at on the national scale," he said. "I know a lot of guys are just focused on our team and our season and what's to come of that if we just do our best. I'm grateful for that because I think it's going to build us a lot more closer and bring us more team unity."

Unga added that he likes that the expectations aren't as lofty as they were heading into last season.

"I like being the underdog. I love the feel of a challenge, especially with this group of guys who rise up to a challenge – offensively, defensively and on special teams. I know that if anyone's out there to challenge us, none of these guys are going to back down. I love having them by my side."

Aside from football, Unga will marry BYU women's basketball player Keilani Moeaki.

"We're planning an early summer (wedding). End of May, beginning of June," Unga said. "We're still trying to pick a date there and figure things out."

It's been complicated, though, trying to juggle busy schedules of two college athletes.

"It's tough. We were trying to push it in the winter, but her schedule was just ridiculous," Unga said. "So we're just waiting for things to play out with school and practice. . . . We're playing it by ear right now."

READY TO RUN: Quarterback Max Hall would like to play a more versatile role in the offense this fall. That's why he said he won't shy away from running with the ball more when necessary.

"I've definitely got to be able to take off and run this year. That's why I've been working on getting stronger and faster and maybe be able to absorb a few more hits if I run the ball. If I can be a run threat and if teams drop eight or nine guys, I've got to be able to take off running once in a while and get some. I'm working on it."

E-MAIL: jcall@desnews.com