Independent News and Notes

Brigham Young:

PROVO — There has been nothing consistent about the BYU football kicking game so far this season, but with a dramatic increase in repetitions, Justin Sorensen and Co. look to put their troubles behind them.

After a steady dose of missed attempts, bad snaps, botched fakes over the first half of this season, coach Bronco Mendenhall had clearly had enough and increased the special teams' workload in practice. For the ailing Sorensen, the extra work may have been just what the doctor ordered.

"I haven't had many chances to kick this offseason and into fall camp," said Sorensen. "It's been frustrating because you need those repetitions to be effective and I obviously haven't been as effective as I'd like to be. But hopefully that's changing."

Sorensen made good on all three extra-point attempts and his lone field-goal attempt last week against Oregon State after seeing increased reps during practice.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765611871/BYU-football-Practice-for-Justin-Sorensen-should-improve-Cougars-kicking-game-ailments.html

Army:

WEST POINT – One victory in six games isn’t a recipe for backslaps and congratulatory handshakes, which is why one of Rich Ellerson’s primary duties these days is keeping his team not only motivated, but encouraged.

“We practiced this morning,” the Army head coach said. “Guys want to play and be better. Guys are frustrated, but know they can do better. They look at the tape and see the same things we do. I'm angry with myself. There are some things that are iconic and unique to our offense and defense. There are things that should be an advantage for us structurally as we go into some of these games. They are killing us because we're not routinely executing those things that are fundamental to our offense and defense.”

http://www.examiner.com/article/army-gets-two-fs-frustration-and-fundamentals

Navy:

Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said starting center Tanner Fleming participated fully in practice on Tuesday and performed well. Fleming, who missed most of the second half of Friday night's game against Central Michigan with an ankle injury, should be able to start against Indiana this Saturday, Niumatalolo said.

Meanwhile, both Niumatalolo and interior offensive line coach Ashley Ingram said backup center Kahikolu Pescaia performed well while taking all the offensive repetitions during the second half on Friday night.

"Obviously, we were pleased that he went in there and did a good job. But we’re also really happy for Kolu. He's a senior and it's good to see him get an opportunity to play and make the most of it," Ingram said.

It marked the first truly meaningful minutes in the four-year career of Pescaia, a Hawaii native. The 6-foot, 273-pounder works very hard every day in practice, but physical limitations have prevented him from playing much until now.

http://www.capitalgazette.com/opinion/staff_blogs/bill_wagner/navy-football-fleming-practices-should-play-on-saturday/article_e31d80a5-fc66-53d2-b972-30bc4abc103f.html