Cougars stage spirited practice Thursday

Bronco Mendenhall got a spirited practice in his first session Thursday in preparation for the Dec. 20 Las Vegas Bowl.

In a practice that lasted an hour and a half, Mendenhall put his first offense against the first defense, trying to re-create a game-type competition and get the juices flowing.

It worked. He had both sides worked up for three segments of his practice and he’ll do it again in coming days.

“It’s something we haven’t done in some time, but we thought it would provide the atmosphere we’re looking for, even at the expense of some Arizona prep.

In that regard, BYU’s coaches are looking at the Wildcats as a respected and motivated foe but one that plays similar to the Cougars on both sides of the ball. With Sonny Dykes leaving Texas Tech for Arizona two years ago and BYU’s Robert Anae also coming to Provo from Lubbock, there are similarities. On defense, both teams play a similar zone coverage and many of their fronts are the same.

Dennis Pitta is much improved since the Utah game, according to head trainer Kevin Morris. “But we’ll hold him back a little until next week.” The same goes for corner Scott Johnson, who has been rehabbing two groin pulls.

Pitta ran some routes and three-quarter speed and wore a brace and tape on his left knee. Pitta told reporters he was ready to go and felt just fine.

On a scale of 1 to 10 of pain, Johnson said he had about a five when the injury occurred but he’s been doing resistance work and receiving treatment and he said he is on track. He told me if he had to play today, he thought he could do it. One think Morris has not had Johnson do is open up his legs in a wide stance and stretch those muscles in a full speed drill.

“He has been running and doing some back-peddling,” said Morris. “I think he first thing coaches see when a player returns to the field is what sticks in their mind. I want the first thing they see in Scott is a positive, so we’ll wait until Monday or Tuesday to put him out there and see what he can do in a full practice setting.” And that includes opening him up.

DB Andrew Rich is OK after leaving the Utah game with what some considered a concussion. Morris said he didn’t rule it a concussion because the symptons were not serious or did they last very long.

Austin Collie doesn’t have much compassion for BYU fans who are bored with bowl games in Las Vegas and teetering on a decision to return next week.

He told reporters he is jacked up about playing Arizona and can’t wait for the bowl game.

“I love the Veg. I’d go to the Veg every year,” said Collie. It’s going to be a great game against a very good opponent. To play a Pac-10 team, you couldn’t ask for more.”

Collie said he’s encountered “a few” fans who may not go to the bowl again because it is Las Vegas and Arizona.

Asked what he might say to BYU fans wondering if they should follow go Collie quickly answered.

“The fans don’t even play the game. Just go and watch football for the love. Man, we went 10-2 this year again and we’re going to a bowl game. This will be the only time in history we can win three consecutive bowl games. If I’m a BYU fan, I’m looking at that as a positive outcome for the season and a positive for the team.

“If you’re complaining about what bowl game you have to go to, you’re not a true fan. Put that in there.”

In other practice notes, Mendenhall said at least two of his coaches have receive some contact about jobs but he does not believe he will lose anyone this season or before the bowl game.

Mendenhall said when you win more than 30 games in three seasons, your staff is going to receive some attention and people may court them.

“There are a lot of changes going on right now across the country and this could go on into next year.”