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Miami • Perhaps it was because they haven't practiced outside for quite some time. Or maybe it was because of jet lag, or lack of focus.
Whatever the case, in the eyes of head coach Bronco Mendenhall, BYU did not have one of its better practices on Thursday morning at Florida International University, its first practice since landing in Miami on Wednesday night.
"Transitional [period], I would say," Mendenhall listed as the reason. "A little bit from, who knows why, the flight or the time change, or feeling like it is great weather and we weren't going to practice too hard today. But I would say transitional. Got a lot done, but they looked tired to me today."
Mendenhall said if the sluggishness persists Friday or Saturday, when the Cougars will return to FIU to practice, he might be concerned.
Players were "willing, but looked a little slow," he said.
Told that Mendenhall did not like the practice, quarterback Christian Stewart had a different explanation.
"To be honest, he might have been thinking that because he's a defensive guy," Stewart said. "The offense had a great practice. We torched the defense [in skeleton drills, without pads], so I am sure that's why he felt it wasn't the best."
Stewart's assessment drew a chuckle from linebacker Bronson Kaufusi.
"They won the day? That's what he said?," Kaufusi said. "Christian. No, I thought we had a really good practice. Defense did, too. I thought we had some minor errors, but for the most part I thought everyone executed well on defense today."
Hine's homecoming
Running back and kick returner Adam Hine was born in Miami before moving with his mother, Emily, to St. George when he was 4 years old. He still has a grandfather and a couple of uncles who live in Dade County, and expects to have about 20 family members at the bowl game.
He traveled back to Miami several times after moving to Utah, but this is first trip back in about 10 years.
"My brother went to Miami Central High School, played his senior year there," Hine said. "So, it is cool coming down here. Hopefully, I will get to see a lot of my family."
Kicker Moose Bingham, receiver Mitch Mathews and running back Toloa'i Ho Ching served LDS Church missions in the area.
No wives allowed
BYU traditionally pays for the wives of players to travel to bowl games, and will do so again this year. However, there's a catch for the 35-40 players who are married.
Mendenhall decided to have the wives arrive a couple days later than usual. They will get to Miami on Friday.
"It was to get as much work in as we could football specific," Mendenhall said. "I wanted the best chance to get as much football done before everything else hits as possible. I am sure if you look there will be complaints. If you look there might be praise. If you went to the coaches, there might be praise. If you went to the players' wives, probably complaints. You could shape the story by who you want to interview, I guess."
Actually, Kafusi said his wife, Hilary, who plays for the BYU women's soccer team, was happy because she didn't have to move up her final exams, like many of the football players did, before making the trip.
Briefly
Injured players Taysom Hill (fractured leg), Craig Bills (neck) and Jamaal Williams (knee) made the trip and watched practice from the sidelines Thursday. Hill was not on crutches, and appeared to be walking without a limp. … Outside linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga spent his first year in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and is familiar with the area.
Twitter: @drewjay
Miami Beach Bowl
Monday, noon
BYU vs. Memphis
TV • ESPN