Wednesday practice report

At the end of practice, BYU players went through a grueling training regimen instead of lifting weights. They had to run a gauntlet of events, which included repeatedly smacking a giant tire with a sledgehammer, and throwing medicine balls. It was designed by strength and conditioning coach Jay Omer.

“We normally lift after practice on Wednesdays. I wasn’t so happy with what I heard about the lift so just a little change-up,” coach Bronco Mendenhall said, explaining that the lifting sessions were getting monotonous. “We thought this would be more beneficial,” he said.

“Coach Mendenhall is trying to toughen them up,” said former BYU defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen, who watched the end of practice.

BYU true freshman quarterback Jake Heaps said the keys to success for the Cougar offense against TCU are establishing a run game, converting on third down and not turning the ball over.

BYU also needs to avoid a slow start against the Frogs. The past two seasons, the Cougars have gotten down big early and could not recover. BYU is listed as a 30-point underdog against TCU. The Cougars have lost 32-7 and 38-7 the past two seasons to the Frogs.