"As a player we all need to look at that and realize there's do's and don'ts, and you don't do the don'ts," linebacker Bryan Kehl said after Wednesday's practice. "We recognize that these are our coaches and we need to respect them."

Mendenhall suspended Cole Miyahira on Tuesday afternoon, six hours after the safety clashed with secondary coach Jaime Hill. The potential starter can't return to the team until after the Sept. 2 season-opener against Arizona.

The confrontation, which occurred during practice, quickly spread throughout the team.

"Everybody knows what happened," Kehl said. "You kind of [deal with it] and push forward. We can't let that slow us down.

"We need to realize we are a team; we are a band of brothers [and] our coaches are here to make us better."

In his first season at BYU, Hill is a fiery coach not afraid to criticize his players. His emotional nature has irked some players, who haven't been accustomed to this type of coaching.

After Tuesday's incident,

Hill declined to address the issue. At that time Hill said he could talk Wednesday, but declined again.

"He knows the line between coach and buddy-buddy," said safety Dustin Gabriel. "He never breaks that, so you always respect him. He knows his stuff."

In his second season, Mendenhall has developed a reputation as a disciplinarian. Last season, he suspended senior running back Fahu Tahi against New Mexico for violating team rules.

At the time, BYU was 1-3 and coming off a miserable performance at San Diego State. The Cougars rallied late to beat New Mexico.

When the team got home in the early morning hours after the game, Tahi was waiting at the airport.

"What I've learned as the head coach is there are teachable moments," Mendenhall said. "The teachable moments aren't always in alignment with the immediate game coming up. If this teachable moment can be one that helps a young man in his life and move forward, then I'm willing to do that."

Mendenhall said Miyahira has accepted the punishment and is eager to rejoin the team. Earlier this month Mendenhall kicked offensive lineman Travis Bright out of practice but allowed him to return the next day.

In spring practice, Mendenhall suspended defensive lineman Russell Tialavea. The freshman came back this month but still will miss the Arizona game as part of his suspension.

"We operate under principle," Mendenhall said. "When a principle is violated, regardless of when it is and what circumstance, then there's a chance to move the team and individual forward."

With Miyahira out, Gabriel resumed his position as the starting safety. Gabriel had been held out of contact for several days because of lingering headaches from concussions.

He needs to be evaluated daily but is planning on playing in the first game.

"I feel fine," Gabriel said. "They're just kind of worried because I had a series of concussions last year and in the past, so it's something they don't want to mess around with."

BYU held its final scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium, working mostly on short-yardage situations, two-minute drills and overtimes.