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The Cougars are a mildly banged-up football team going into Thursday's home opener (7 p.m. MT, ESPN) against Houston at LaVell Edwards Stadium, coach Bronco Mendenhall acknowledged Tuesday in his first and only chat session with the media this week. Linebacker Bronson Kaufusi has a high ankle sprain and was seen wearing a walking boot at the student athlete building on Tuesday morning. He did not practice. Running back Algernon Brown and right tackle De'Ondre Wesley have ankle sprains, although Brown was seen walking up the stairs at the football complex Tuesday and wasn't limping or anything of the sort. Spokesperson Brett Pyne said Kaufusi's injury is the worst of the three aforementioned. "They are there," Mendenhall said when asked about the bumps and bruises this week. "So normally it is a walkthrough on Monday, rather than a Wednesday's practice, for that very reason. But they are what they are. I don't think there's anything that is game-limiting in addition to what you already don't know. But hopefully we will be as healthy as possible by the time we play." Asked if any of the three will or won't play, Mendenhall said: "Not sure." Running back Jamaal Williams played against Texas, and played well, rushing 19 times for 89 yards while wearing a knee brace. I asked Mendenhall on Tuesday if the mild knee injury suffered in fall camp is still bugging the junior star. "From what I have been told, there is still an aid to stability, and the doctors feel better about him wearing [the brace]," Mendenhall said. "And I wasn't sure if he would look as good, or not good, with it. But man, I didn't notice much difference. So he was worried about it, and I was worried about it, but they say there is some stability that needs to be supported, so we will go with it." Not a lot of other newsy stuff came out of today's media availability session. Assistant coaches were not made available because of the short week of preparation. I'm working on a story about walk-ons Mitchell and Garrett Juergens, so I asked Mendenhall which walk-ons have been awarded scholarships recently. "Zac Stout was re-awarded a scholarship. He lost his scholarship when he left BYU. So he was re-awarded when he came back. Kurt Henderson and Trevor Samson, our kicker. So he was put on scholarship. So those three have been awarded through two-a-days, or just recently after," Mendenhall said. Here's more from the coach on a variety of topics: On whether the short week is more challenging due to emotional win over Texas: "Yeah, really challenging. I think the natural tendency would be to try to feel good a little bit longer than what we have time for. As you all know, yesterday was a Wednesday. Today was a Thursday. Tomorrow is the day before the game. So it is hard, even though we have done it a number of times. It is hard to get used to it, still. Bumps and bruises have to heal faster, good performances have to be forgotten, as well as some that could be improved are forgotten. So a lot is at stake, but so far, I would say so good, in the two days we have had." On how the offense was more dynamic vs. Texas:"Especially against Texas having Jamaal and Adam [Hine] both back there really helped as the game went on. We didn't slow down, and when you consider now Algie and Paul as well, that's a nice stable of backs to have. It is more than two deep, so you end up being three-deep with the number of combinations and it is really helpful by taking the workload off of Taysom even though he is really dynamic with the ball, and we are throwing it better. So that helps too." On whether Houston is a perfect opponent after Texas because the red Cougars nearly toppled BYU last year:"Oh, for sure. That was an exhausting game right to the very end, and we didn't come close to stopping them, and we scored a number of times, and right at the end we had to intercept the ball to win. So we know we have our hands full."On what he sees on film from Houston:"Just the same as a year ago — really good schemes and good players. They are doing a nice job — another bowl team, and capable against anybody they play." On whether the benefit of exposure outweighs the short week disadvantages:"I think you have to view it that way. In the position we are in as an independent, it is, not quite, but almost anything for exposure. And so Thursday nights are part of it. Friday nights are part of it. So you have to view the tradeoff right now as being worth it."On the team's defensive performance through two games:"Really good. 17 points in two games, and if that keeps up, we will have a great chance in every game we play. And that's how I measure it, really, is how many points allowed."On the defense not experiencing a drop off:"It is just the system. So in 9 years we have averaged in the top 20 in [fewest points allowed] through the entire time. So really, it is just replacing parts now, and we have good leadership with our defensive staff. So both parts are helpful."On importance of support from fans on Thursday:"It will be really helpful. I love our fans so far that we have seen on the road, and how loyal they have been and how boisterous and passionate they have been about supporting the team. It would be great to have an even greater advantage at home from some of our fan base, even though it is on national TV. Still our home stadium, and I think seeing a game in person and supporting us is still better than seeing a game on TV."On whether he's been able to reach out to troubled former BYU QB Max Hall:"Right after I heard a I left a phone message and left emails and texted different family members. I am aware through someone else that he did get them. But I haven't talked to him in person yet, but I know he did appreciate the message I left. My hope is after this Thursday night game that I will have some time on the weekend to reach out."