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Provo • In his second stint as BYU's offensive coordinator, Robert Anae will call plays from the field, and not the press box, he confirmed after the Cougars wrapped up their morning practice on the outdoor practice field.
"Yes, absolutely," he said, after noting that new receivers coach Guy Holliday and new quarterbacks coach Jason Beck will be in the press box during games.
During spring camp, Anae was coy when asked about where he would be during games, asking a reporter why he needed to know that information at that time. But on Monday he was succinct.
"Still a work in progress, but right now we are training ourselves" to coach from those places, he said.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall said it was totally Anae's decision.
"Jason Beck is really skilled from up above, and as a quarterback coach, he is also very cerebral and good with numbers in situations and managing two-minute [drills] and timeouts, etc. So that combination I think will be a good one for us," Mendenhall said. "Robert is driving the work capacity and the standard, so it will be good to have him, security-wise and motivation-wise, on the field."
More changes, additions
Because of the injuries in the secondary, Mendenhall has made more position switches and additions to bolster the cornerback position.
Freshman Michael Davis has switched from receiver to cornerback, and he intercepted a Taysom Hill pass on Monday.
Johnny Linehan, a freshman star on BYU's rugby team, has joined the football team.
"We have added 'Johnny Rugby,'" Mendenhall said. "He's now Johnny Football for us. Maybe that's premature, but he is practicing and having a hard time getting enough oxygen, currently. But he did get his helmet on right."
Khalil Bell, a 5-foot-8 freshman from Georgia, and Luke Nelson, a 6-1 returned missionary/receiver from Washington, have also been added to the 105-man roster.
"The waiver wire is active here at BYU," Mendenhall joked.
Getting back
Running back Mike Alisa (broken arm) and cornerbacks Trevor Bateman (knee), Eric Thornton (hip flexor), Dallin Leavitt (hip flexor) and Mike Hague (knee) all returned from various injuries and practiced on Monday.
Alisa said he saw live action on a couple of plays and that he was "rusty" but close to full strength.
The linebacking corps had a different look as Spencer Hadley played on the inside and Manoa Pikula on the outside.
Briefly
Offensive lineman Edward Fusi, who is transferring from a junior college, still has not joined the team due to some academic issues. "Late signs are yes [he will join the team]," Mendenhall said. "When, I can't tell you." ... Turns out that backup cornerback Adam Hogan tore three of the four quad muscles in his leg on Friday and will be out three to four weeks, Mendenhall said.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Camp Corner
What we learned • The Cougars will hold their final scrimmage of fall camp on Wednesday at the stadium, after not much scrimmaging was done last Saturday due to injuries that have limited depth in the secondary.
Who was hot • Running back Jamaal Williams carried the ball three times for 51 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown run, during Monday's 11-on-11 work.
Who was out • Backup cornerback Adam Hogan tore three quad muscles on Friday and will be out three to four weeks.