Monday's practice report

As usual, Labor Day was a working day for the BYU Cougars. They practiced for about an hour while future opponent UCLA (Sept. 13) was playing Tennessee.

Speaking of the Bruins, that game suddenly looks a lot tougher for the Cougars now. UCLA stunned No. 18 Tennessee, 27-24, in overtime. Kai Forbath, who had his potential game-winning field goal against BYU blocked in last year’s Las Vegas Bowl, drilled a 42-yard game winner against the Vols in OT. It marked Rick Neuheisel’s debut as head coach.

At practice, quarterback Max Hall looked good and said he feels fine after taking that hard hit Saturday. Coach Bronco Mendenhall said his QB did not suffer a concussion.

Mendenhall spent a large part of his day watching film of this week’s opponent, Washington, which was routed by Oregon, 44-10, last Saturday. He reiterated that Husky QB Jake Locker is very athletic and a very good runner. Scout team quarterback Stephen Covey did his best to simulate Locker’s elusiveness in practice.

Mendenhall also said that when BYU attempts field goals (it didn’t attempt one in the opener), Mitch Payne will handle the kicks inside the 35 and Justin Sorensen will take care of the field goals over 40 yards. On kicks from 35-38 yards, the decision of who kicks will be made by a “gut feel,” Mendenhall said. Sorensen booted five touchbacks against Northern Iowa. Payne will continue to do the PATs.