Camping with the Cougars

It's the most wonderful time of the year...and one of the most difficult to get through. Football season is officially unofficially here. With the start of fall practice for BYU, and weather to match late-September in Utah, those anxious butterflies are starting to flutter in the stomach as new excitement builds for 2009 after what was a successful--yet disappointing--2008.

After an energetic practice, Bronco spoke with media. Some of the highlights included having a team that was sincerely energetic and having a great time just playing football after last year's business-like melodrama. Coach said he took more time off this year than he has ever taken in an attempt to better appreciate the game and get the fire back. From what I've heard from various interviews, this attitude of this year's team is in complete contrast to last years--in a very positive way.

Of noteworthy news, Manase Tonga should be back with the team on Monday! Harvey Unga I'm sure is ecstatic about this, as he will have a bull blocking for him this year. I'm smelling a third consecutive 1,000-yard season from Unga, who needs just under 900 yards to overtake Curtis Brown as BYU's all-time leading rusher. My guess is he'll do it.

Also, an interesting tidbit about the 105-man roster: the leaders of the team selected players and "depth charts" based on off-season training and improvement...proof that the coaching staff does in fact trust the team's core group of players.

And best for last, McKay Jacobson is Superman. His first trip up Y Mountain (BYU's initiation to football season) and he wins the conditioning test, which this year combined running and push-ups. In his own words he listed himself as 100 percent...lookout MWC. I was also happy to see Chambers getting all of the first team snaps as his size will be a huge advantage for the Cougars. Jacobson, the speedster, on one side and Chambers, the train, on the other side should have Max Hall beaming this season.  [Photo by BYU Athletics]