PROVO -- The first full day of Fall Camp began just as the sun was coming up over the Wasatch Mountains on Saturday. The team gathered for an early-morning conditioning test -- a run up Y Mountain.
As teammates made their way to the top of the 1.2 mile trek that ascends 1,000 feet, those who had already finished stood along the top of the trail to encourage teammates as they all waited for the last man to reach the top.
"I appreciate your effort," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall told the team as they overlooked Utah Valley. "I am most impressed by how you finished. It's representative of who you are. We've had strong finishes over the past three season, and that's not surprising because of who you are. Now the question is what kind of start do you want to have?"
Mendenhall talked about the team's 1-3 start in 2005, the 1-2 start in 2006 and the 1-2 start in 2007.
"There's something about starting and finishing with the same effort," he said. "What kind of start do you want. Only you'll know if you have given your personal best. I trust you. I trust this team."
Later, the team attended meetings, including those with position and special teams meetings. The freshmen and transfers then suited up without pads and started practice 30 minutes before the veterans. The extra time provided an opportunity to work with individual coaches as they began their first practice at the Division-I level.
Once the entire team was out on the practice field, players worked on drills and position mastery. Noticeably missing from the action was junior wide receiver Austin Collie who is recovering from a stress fracture in his leg and will see limited action throughout the first few weeks of Fall Camp.
"It's been nagging me for about two and a half weeks," said Collie. "I was told to just stay off it and try to maintain it so once I'm healthy and ready I can come in and take off from where I left off. It's really not that serious, just a minor setback. We just want to make sure it doesn't linger on throughout the year."
Collie spent time catching punts and worked with newcomer O'Neill Chambers throughout drills, helping the Florida freshman recognize coverages and signals from coaches.
All-America candidate Max Hall said he felt good about the first day of camp, but is looking forward to working out some of the kinks.
"There are still some kinks we've got to work out, some fundamental stuff, but that just comes with the beginning of camp," said Hall. "I thought it was a great first day. [The offense] picked up right where it left off at the end of spring ball. It's comforting as the quarterback to know you've got guys around you who are experienced at what they're doing."
While Hall was solid as usual, Mendenhall mentioned he was impressed with junior quarterback Brendan Gaskins. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of Farmington, N.M., led all quarterbacks, completing 6-of-9 passes during non-contact scrimmage drills for 49 yards.
"Brendan Gaskins was impressive today," said Mendenhall. "Not only on the field, but also in our conditioning test this morning. I was probably more impressed with him than any other player just based on today's practice. It isn't a solidification of position, but he did great today."
After practice the team ate dinner, provided by TGI Fridays, followed by another team activity. The team will have Sunday off before resuming Fall Camp on Monday. Practice is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. for the newcomers and at 4 p.m. for the veterans on Monday.