Tuesday practice report

Once again, BYU’s first-team defense had its share of trouble against the scout team. But it’s nothing coach Bronco Mendenhall hasn’t seen before. Every year, early in the week, the defense seems to struggle learning how to defend Air Force’s triple option scheme.
“They all wonder how they’re going to be ready by Saturday,” he said. “I think they’ll be ready like they have been in the past. Right now, it’s a Tuesday versus Air Force, which doesn’t mean it’s very good.”

The Cougars donned shoulder pads for Tuesday’s practice. “Against the option, we’ve always practiced in pads,” Mendenhall said. “The pad level, the speed, the nature of the block, how low they are, I think the only way to help them prepare appropriately is to have shoulder pads on.”

Austin Collie could return punts this week, Mendenhall acknowledged, explaining that it’s “becoming more likely to play Austin there just because there’s not much season left.”

BYU offensive lineman Tom Sorensen, who was projected at the beginning of the season to be the starting center before injuring his shoulder in fall camp, has one year of eligibility remaining, but his career will be over after this season.
“Tom wasn’t cleared until last week to even practice,” Mendenhall said. “To his credit, he’s going to be graduating in winter time. He’s helping our team by helping us on the scout team, playing center, which is really nice of him to do.”