PROVO -- With new helmets and an enthusiasm to get started, the Cougars began the 2005 season with their first official practice Tuesday. BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said the new look, which combines the navy blue with the traditional Y logo on the side of the helmet, is a good change for the program.
"It looks right," he said. "It feels right and it looks like BYU. When I think about the great teams and coaches that have been here, they look like that. My intent now is to ensure that we play the way we're supposed to.
"All of our effort and all of our energy is focused on getting back in alignment with the tradition because our tradition has meant greatness and conference championships. It's meant bowl games, it's meant national championships. With a legacy and tradition like that I intend to learn all I can. That symbol (the Y) is a strong token of accountability for these guys not only to me but to the great coaches and great players that have been here."
Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall
The newcomers practiced in the morning while the veterans hit the turf in the afternoon. Wednesday's practice will follow the same format while Thursday will mark the beginning of combined practices for the Cougars.
According to Mendenhall, the separate practices give the newcomers a chance to get oriented before joining their more experienced teammates on the field.
Receiver Nate Meikle
"It gives these young men a chance to be coached individually and have some success learning at their own pace without the expectations of their peers who know it already," he said. "It gives them a chance to have some confidence and some semblance of what to do when they join our veterans."
Mendenhall added that he learned a lot about the newcomers and was pleased with the effort of the veterans.
"I can tell if they're willing," he noted. "I can tell if they're interested. I can tell if they're in shape and I think I have a decent idea with each one of them where they are in all three of those areas.
"We're a work in progress but I was pleased. I think we're much further ahead than we were at the end of spring. That's to our players' credit. They used their summer well."
Junior linebacker Cameron Jensen said he is excited about being back on the field and that there is a positive feeling within the team.
Linebacker Cameron Jensen
"Everything is going to be new," he said. "From the top, the way we play as an offense and defense, it's totally new. It was great to be out there with the whole team and the coaches. It's so exciting out here. We have high expectations and high goals. Everybody's committed to the team idea and its great to see that on both sides of the ball."
Terrance Hooks, a freshman linebacker, said he is looking forward to learning from his teammates and coaches.
"I expect to work hard and stay focused," he said. "I expect to learn from the leaders of the team and to learn discipline and work ethic from the coaches."