Bronco: Running back depth "a weakness"

One position, at least on offense, that coach Bronco Mendenhall seems concerned about is at running back. The Cougars, of course, are without fullback Manase Tonga for the season. That means more work for Harvey Unga and Fui Vakapuna. Vakapuna was slowed by a hamstring injury early in fall camp, though he looks to be healthy now. Still, Vakapuna has been injury-prone that past couple of years.
‘I’m comfortable as we currently are. But if we were to lose a player, it would be a weakness on our team because we’re not very deep at that spot,’ Mendenhall said. ‘With Fui coming back and getting healthier day by day, we have the chance of having Fui and Harvey in the backfield at the same time, which I feel very good about. Kaneakua Friel is our next alternative at fullback. Right after that, we’d probably go to Bryan Kariya, who will be a very good player. If we suffer an injury at that spot, we might have to consider some scheme changes and some strategy changes.’

The players don’t start school until next week. Now that fall camp is over, Mendenhall is trying to find ways to keep the players busy and focused. He put the players through a walk-through and meetings this morning. ‘What I’ve learned is, if you don’t have something for them, they’ll sleep until noon,’ Mendenhall said.

Informed that his team has scored first in 17 consecutive home games, Mendenhall was asked if given the choice, would he kick off or receive on the opening kickoff Saturday? ‘As of today, we’ll take the ball,’ he said.

Three years ago in his head coaching debut, Mendenhall was booed at one point for electing to punt on fourth-and-three inside the opponents’ territory. Last season, punter C.J. Santiago was booed after shanking some punts.
‘Just like our emotions are running high, their emotions are running high,’ Nixon said. ‘I don’t know what it is. Hopefully we don’t have any of that this year. It’s kickoff for everyone. It’s a big day. People have been waiting for this for eight, nine months. It’s finally here. We’re excited.’