BYU football: Coach high on this Cougar squad

PROVO — For the BYU football program, spring practice has concluded, but the work is far from over.

In some ways, in fact, preparation for the 2009 season is just beginning as the Cougars look ahead to a challenging schedule that includes a season-opening showdown with national powerhouse Oklahoma on Sept. 5.

As per NCAA rules, BYU won't hold another official practice again until fall camp, which opens in August.

"What I like about the off-season is it literally has to be the players — and players only — and you learn a lot about the ownership they take of the team and the chemistry that comes together because there is no supervision from the coaches (as per NCAA rules)," said coach Bronco Mendenhall. "Our strength coach can be involved during a portion of that time. Other than that, it's just them. I think they find out a lot about each other during that time as well, and we'll see how well they've jelled in August."

BYU finished up spring drills Friday without the traditional Blue-White game, but the Cougars did hold an abbreviated scrimmage on the practice field, with many young players getting a chance to see action.

Quarterback Max Hall, who completed 5-of-6 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown on Friday, is pleased with what he and his teammates accomplished the past month.

"Last spring was a very good spring for us as well. We got a lot done," he said. "The only difference was the way we did it this year. There was more excitement, more enthusiasm on the field. It just feels right. It feels good. I love our team. I think we can be as good as we want to be as long as we keep working hard. Our goal is to win the championship and we've still got a long ways to get there. We're going to keep fighting ... I think we're going to have a great off-season. We'll be good. I'm also looking forward to start getting ready for (Oklahoma)."

Mendenhall likes the overall attitude of his team. "This is a team that is very competitive, is very hungry and they like to play and they like to compete," he said. "We have enough talent to contend for a conference championship. Whether that happens or not comes down to execution at those critical times. I'm optimistic from what I've seen this spring."

Mendenhall likens the 2009 Cougars to the 2006 version that posted an 11-2 record and won the conference championship outright.

"This team feels reminiscent of that team. I am not talking talent-wise," Mendenhall said. "I am just talking their eagerness to learn, to improve, to work. Hungry is probably the best word I can use to describe it. They are fun to be around. I like this team."