As BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall approaches the final days of two-a-days and fall camp, few major decisions have been made, but one thing is certain: He's starting to feel the effects of a longer camp.
A recent NCAA regulation has made college football teams tone down two-a-day workout sessions because of a rash of dehydration cases and other heat-related illnesses and deaths that have swept the nation, both on the prep and college levels.
BYU's schedule consists of one day with two practices, followed by a lighter day with only one practice, sometimes without pads.
That has made camp last for the better part of a month, and some coaches think that's too long.
"Camp is a month long, so there isn't necessarily a clear start and a clear finish," Mendenhall said. "It just blends into 13 more weeks."
But the extra time has helped Mendenhall make a few key replacements and selections to prepare his team for the 2008 season. Unfortunately, there's still a ways to go.
"I think there are 3-5 spots where I need to see one more situation," Mendenhall said. "I'm talking about possibly scrimmaging on Wednesday. The majority of the team I feel very good about, and even those few spots I feel good about, but it's just too close to call right now. I was hoping it would be clear, but after looking at it, there are still those 3-5 spots that we'll need one more day."
One of those areas is the search for a backup quarterback.
"The move hasn't been made yet," Mendenhall said. "The numbers are within a percentage point here and there. Most likely, we'll have one more scrimmage Wednesday, if nothing else to let the backup quarterbacks sort it out."
Last year, Brenden Gaskins saw the little bit of time behind starter Max Hall, but sophomore Kurt McEuen is making a strong case as fall camp winds down.
"From the very first day of fall camp, when Gaskins was very strong and came back confident and poised, since that day Kurt has just chipped away and chipped away," Mendenhall said. "I would say Saturday was another day of Kurt doing what he does. It's close right now."
Mendenhall is confident the coaching staff will know who to play at the No. 2 quarterback spot by Thursday.
What is "better"?
Mendenhall said he may not always play the most talented player at a position on every down. Some guys have just been working harder in practice.
"Sometimes it will be the best work ethic and diligence," Mendenhall said. "It will take a combination of ability and work ethic for a player to be trusted in those roles. Reed White will be on the field sometimes, just because he is outworking his opponents. He may or may not be the most talented, but all we need are 10 yards per return."
Is it worth it?
The Cougar coaching staff isn't confident with letting junior running back and SUU transfer Kelly Bills back on the field. Bills was sidelined recently with a concussion.
"We met on Saturday and we'll meet again today," Mendenhall said. "This was his fourth concussion in his career and I'm responsible for him. Regardless of medical opinion, it will be hard for me to allow him to perform again. The risk is too great."
Mendenhall will talk to Bills' family, as well, to discuss other options with them.
Freshman standout
O'Neill Chambers is turning heads again, making fantastic grabs during practice. Although he's not willing to call him a starter just yet, Mendenhall said he's impressed by the freshman from Harmony, Fla.
"The longer we're around O'Neill Chambers, the more spectacular plays he'll make," Mendenhall said. "We already know a demonstrated ability to make plays, but this program develops young men in terms of their day-to-day accountability, work ethic, discipline and the combination of all that will be formidable when he's a senior. But I think even right now, he's formidable."
Sportin' a new look
All Max Hall had to do was complete 19 more touchdown drives during team periods without an interception and quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman agreed to shave his head.
Hall met that challenge in Friday's practice.
"I then just took him and shaved his head," Hall told reporters after Monday's practice.
Unfortunately, Hall threw an interception on the final drive of Monday's practice. Does that mean the Doman-ator will be shaving his starting quarterback's scalp?
"I think he'll try," Hall said. "He'll probably try it."
Copyright Brigham Young University 19 Aug 2008
