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Provo • Sophomore running back Jamaal Williams said he took a helmet to the hip in the second quarter of BYU's 47-46 win over Houston last Saturday and was forced to watch most of the second half from the sidelines.
"During halftime it swelled up and I wasn't able to run as well as I am used to," said Williams, who had three rushing attempts in the third quarter before leaving the game for good. "… It felt like I was hurting the team if I was to keep playing, with my hip. I just told coach that I had to [come out]."
Williams didn't participate in contact drills during Monday's practice, but said he did everything else and plans to play on Friday when BYU (5-2) plays host to Boise State (5-2) at LaVell Edwards Stadium (6 p.m., ESPN).
"I will be ready," he said.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall said he believes Williams will play at full speed on Friday, "with no limitations."
Other injuries
Safety Craig Bills, who suffered a concussion against Georgia Tech and missed the Houston game after suffering headaches in warmups, practiced on Monday and should play, Mendenhall said.
Center Terrance Alletto is still trying to regain his strength after experiencing recurring stingers in his neck, and it not even listed on the depth chart this week. Edward Fusi is listed as the starter, with freshman Brayden Kearsley his backup.
Different year, different game
In a teleconference with Utah media members Monday, Boise State coach Chris Petersen said he expects an entirely different game against BYU this year than last, when the Broncos took a 7-6 win without scoring an offensive touchdown at Broncos Stadium in Boise.
"I think it will be different than it was last year. I mean, I do think that," Petersen said. "I know that those guys are playing at a really high level on offense and Taysom Hill is a heckuva quarterback, and he's in a great groove, and he's hard to stop. So this I know: We have to score a lot more points than we did last year to hang in there with those guys."
Mendenhall echoed those sentiments Monday night, saying both offenses are far more explosive than they were last year.
"I don't know what the score will be, but we probably won't duplicate that one," Mendenhall said.
Familiar with Williams
BYU's Williams was heavily recruited by Boise State and Oregon before choosing the Cougars, and Petersen said Monday that he keeps a close eye on Williams. Monday night, Williams said that BSU's sophomore cornerback, Donte Deayon, is his brother.
"Jamaal, heckuva player," Petersen said. "He's doing a great job."
Briefly
Quarterback Taysom Hill (offense) and kicker Justin Sorensen (special teams) earned FBS Independent Player of the Week honors on Monday, along with Notre Dame defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt (defense). It is the second award of the season for Hill, and third of his career. Sorensen has received the nod twice this season and five times in his career. … Hill is now completing more than 50 percent of his passes this season (50.6 percent) after having a 33-percent completion rate after three games. … Boise State is 3-0 all-time against BYU.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Boise State at BYU
P Friday, 6 p.m. MT
TV • ESPN