The clock is ticking for BYU senior wide receiver Michael Reed.

"I was thinking that this is it for me," he said. "My years at BYU have flown by. I was thinking about the things I've accomplished and the things I still need to accomplish. I look at this team and say to myself, 'Hey I'm a senior. How great would it be to go undefeated and be a part of that?' "

That's Reed: He's always dreamed big. Before his sophomore season, he said one of his goals was to lead the league in receiving. While he's put up decent stats in his three years (87 receptions, 1,060 yards, eight touchdowns) he's mostly earned his reputation as a receiver who's not afraid to go over the middle and someone who can often make spectacular catches.

During fall camp he's been Max Hall's go-to guy, since No. 1 receiver Austin Collie is nursing a stress fracture.

"We all hope Austin gets back real soon because he's such a big part of our offense," Reed said. "But it's opened doors for younger players like (former Timpview standout) Luke Ashworth, O'Neill Chambers and Spencer Hafoka to show coaches what they can do. Things are looking good right now. I'm just excited for this year."

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall has been watching the young receivers closely.

"The last three days Luke has made a strong push in terms of confidence and knowledge of assignments," he said, "adding finishing plays with it. What I've seen is that most likely he'd be after Austin and Mike."

The BYU offense has opened things up a little in the second week of fall camp and has been finding the end zone regularly in practice.

"The offense has been picking it up," Reed said. "We have a few guys here with experience. The offensive line is doing an outstanding job for the quarterback, running backs and receivers."

When Collie, who has 109 receptions in two seasons, gets healthy, BYU will pretty much be at full strength offensively.

"We can be as good as we want to be," Reed said. "There's only so much our coaches can teach us about the plays, then it's up to us. If we just come together each day, the sky's the limit with this team."

• Getting sideways: A Salt Lake City radio station reported a verbal exchange between defensive coordinator Jaime Hill and redshirt freshman Jordan Pendleton on Tuesday. The exchange happened while Pendleton was being interviewed by a reporter after practice. Pendleton wasn't at Wednesday's morning practice but Mendenhall said the he called in sick with nausea and diarrhea. Pendleton wasn't at the evening practice, either.

Mendenhall said neither Hill nor Pendleton would be disciplined for Tuesday's incident.

"They were in a very visible situation that was hard on both of them," Mendenhall said. "My job is to gather as many facts as I can, discuss it in individual settings, develop a plan to follow and to see if there's any accountability. That's been consistent in all parts of our program.

"Anytime a situation happens where someone's feelings get hurt or someone in some way or another doesn't represent themselves or the institution in the best way, I view that as a program failure. And that comes to me. But in this particular case, it's been addressed appropriately."

Hill said he doesn't talk about players individually, and there was nothing more to say since it would be handled in-house.

• Practice report: The offense was very efficient on Wednesday. Hall was 6-of-6 during team drills, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ashworth. Kurt McEuen also had a good day, going 5-for-5 with a 15-yard scoring pass to redshirt freshman tight end Kaneakua Friel. Harvey Unga scored a rushing touchdown during blue zone drills, a 5-yard sweep with senior offensive guard Ray Feinga and senior running back Fui Vakapuna clearing the way.

Defensively, freshman Spencer Hadley had a fumble recovery, redshirt freshman Gary Nagy had a pass breakup and redshirt freshman Stephen Thomas had an interception off a tipped pass by G Pittman.

"We already know the effectiveness of stopping and scoring in the blue zone is clearly a big part of our success," Mendenhall said. "Right now, the offense is ahead in blue zone production."

In the evening session, BYU put a minute on the clock for team drills. The defense held the offense out of the end zone on the first two possessions but Hall directed an 11-play drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Reed. One highlight was a leaping catch near the sideline by Hafoka for a first down. On the defensive side, junior linebacker Shawn Doman and Pittman had pass breakups.

• Mark your calendar: BYU has completed its 2010 football schedule, announcing on Wednesday a game with Nevada to be played in Provo.

It is the completion of a three-game series that began in 2001. The two teams will meet on Sept. 25, 2010, at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Nevada pulled out of the Cougars' 2008 schedule to pick up a home game against Grambling State. BYU countered by signing a one-game deal for a home game against Northern Iowa.

With the addition of Nevada to the 2010 schedule, the Cougars will also play in Provo against Washington and will travel to Florida State and Utah State.

• Meet and greet: The fifth annual Cougar Kickoff is today from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Haws Field, located just west of the Indor Practice Facility. Fans will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the BYU football team. The BYU women's volleyball team, women's soccer team and men's and women's cross country teams will also be on hand, along with the 2008 cheer squad and Cosmo. There will be interactive games, activities, live music and free Dreyer's Cougar Craze ice cream. Posters will also be available with autograph opportunities.

Cougar fans can purchase game-worn apparel and shoes at the Cougar Sale, beginning at 5:30 p.m. inside the Indoor Practice Facility. Soccer fans can take a tour of the new Stadium at South Field. Admittance to the Cougar Kickoff is free.

• Blow that whistle: Two officials showed up to work the final team session of the morning practice, but Mendenhall said he didn't invite them: They just showed up.

"That's an added bonus for the day," Mendenhall said. "I'd love them to be here every day. When they come I don't have to be an official and head coach. Any that have stripes in their closet, come on out."

Mendenhall said there was still some confusion about the new 40-second clock, which has been adopted by college football this season.

• Long way to go: Junior college defensive end Bernard Afutiti got his first live action in Wednesday's practice after arriving late because of transcript issues.

"He's very quick but has a lot to learn about the physical part of the game, and has no idea of where to go yet, as you might expect," was Mendenhall's assessment.

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Read his blog at cougarblue.com

Camp Cougar

• Player of the Day: Sophomore wide receiver Luke Ashworth. As the offense begins to establish itself, Ashworth is stepping up his game.

• Play of the Day: On a goal-line situation, Harvey Unga rumbled five yards untouched into the end zone. Plowing the road was senior guard Ray Feinga (348 pounds) and senior fullback Fui Vakapuna (253 pounds). There were no survivors.

• Quote of the Day: "Any that have stripes in their closet, come on out." -- BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall's open invitation to referees who want to work BYU's scrimmage situations.