BYU football special teams should play key role against TCU

PROVO — Expect special teams to play a big role in today's game between BYU and TCU.

"It's giant because of the return game that they have," Cougar coach Bronco Mendenhall said, referring to the Horned Frogs' punt return prowess. "Return game equals field position and field position equals scoring. It will be a big part of the game."

Horned Frog return specialist Jeremy Kerley is dangerous in the open field as he proved with a dazzling 69-yard punt return last week against Colorado State.

Mendenhall said his team will try to avoid kicking to Kerley.

"The guy is pretty fast," the coach said. "He catches about everything that's even close."

The past two weeks, due mostly to injuries, BYU was missing some key members of the special teams.

"The good news is we are getting some healthy bodies back, especially on our cover teams," Mendenhall said. "We were missing up to four or five, based on injuries, sickness. And so we should be a little more talent-rich at some of those spots than we have been."

PICK YOUR POISON: TCU senior defensive end Jerry Hughes has eight sacks this season and he had four last year against BYU. He's a nightmare for opposing offenses to deal with -- just ask Air Force coach Troy Calhoun.

"When he's allowed to live in pass rushing mode, you're better off drinking cyanide," he said last week. "He's an unbelievable edge football player."

FINDING BALANCE: TCU has shown great offensive balance this season, averaging 206 yards rushing and 225 yards passing. BYU is averaging 306 yards through the air and 163 yards on the ground.

"The key is staying balanced to where you can run the ball and throw it," Mendenhall said. "(The Horned Frogs) thrive when you get one-dimensional."

That's what happened last season at TCU. BYU threw for 274 yards but ran for only 23 yards on 28 carries.

RECRUITING REUNION: Most of BYU's 2010 recruits, who have committed to sign a letter of intent in February, are expected to be in attendance at Saturday's game.

"We have a bunch of them (recruits) coming. At last count, over 22 of our committed players are going to be here," Mendenhall said. "That's not something we invited, necessarily. They love good football and it's fun. This class has been committed for so long and is so interested in the program, they come frequently. I think it's a great setting."

DIRECTV VERSUS DISH: While DirecTV no longer offers Versus, Dish Network is providing Versus for free to their subscribers through the end of November.

e-mail: jeffc@desnews.com