Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!
As a recent Utah transplant whose family is 1,500 miles away, I’m thankful to be here. Enjoy your day with your loved ones.
That being said, I have some news: Jaren Hall could be cleared to play this weekend, if needed.
Now, coaches still haven’t confirmed anything, but Hall was seen taking snaps during Tuesday’s practice. Last Saturday, during the UMass pre-game warmups, Hall was in street clothes and didn’t participate. Seeing him take part in practice on Tuesday was the first time I’ve seen him in any sort of action since suffering a concussion during the Utah State game Nov. 2.
Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes said Hall’s progress has been slower than he’d like, but "hopefully he’ll be ready soon.
Now, we’re no longer waiting for Zach Wilson to come back from a thumb fracture, so he may not be needed this weekend against San Diego State. But it’s still good to have your depth back and healthy.
Should Wilson run into trouble, Hall could be the one to step up. If he’s still not cleared by Saturday, then we could see Baylor Romney coming back in.
The Cougars could need their full offensive depth against the Aztecs, whose rushing defense is ranked third in the nation. SDSU is allowing opponents 2.62 yards per game and have given up only seven rushing touchdowns.
It should be a battle of the defense this weekend, and a trip to San Diego will be a nice break from this winter storm.
Stay safe out there.
More BYU coverage
BYU women’s basketball will close out rivalry week when they host Utah Friday.
Soccer makes it to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals for the third time in program history, will take on Stanford.
BYU men’s basketball nabs third-place finish at Maui Invitational after beating Virginia Tech, 90-77.
Defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku had a troubled past in high school, but was able to get on the right path at BYU.
Take a look at some of BYU’s most memorable games against San Diego State before the Cougars’ regular season finale.
Other voices
Jay Drew, of the Deseret News, takes a look at why coach Kalani Sitake, who’s posted a 27-23 record through his first 50 games, is such a beloved figure.
BYU football is hoping the depth players have learned valuable lessons at UMass, the Daily Herald’s Jared Lloyd wrote.
KSL Sports’ Sean Walker talks about what the football team has to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Around campus
BYU cross country head coach Ed Eyestone was named the 2019 National Coach of the Year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced Tuesday. In his 20th season, Eyestone led the men’s cross country team to its first national championship in program history, dethroning Northern Arizona University, which had won three straight titles. Eyeston is the first person in NCAA cross country history to win an individual title (1984) and to also coach a team to win a national championship.
The volleyball team closed out the regular season with a win over Pepperdine in five sets (25-15, 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 15-3) Tuesday. Senior McKenna Miller led with 18 kills, eight digs and two blocks. The No. 13 Cougars (25-4) will now learn their postseason fate Sunday in the NCAA Selection Show, 6:30 p.m. MST on ESPNU.
Josue Dominguez broke the longest-standing BYU swim record in the 200-yard breaststroke after 21 years on the final day of the Mizzou Invite, Nov. 22. Dominguez bumped himself from No. 2 to No. 1 in BYU’s school records in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:55.97.
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