PROVO — Among the many benefits of posting a winning record and qualifying for a bowl game is the 15 extra practices the NCAA allows teams that go bowling.
Because BYU stayed home for the holidays last year, it was denied those much-needed extra practices.
This year, the Cougars, who face Western Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 21, are taking full advantage of bowl practices allotted to them.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake said his team would practice six times last week, and he’s scheduled six more practices for this week.
With a bevy of young players on the roster, including many taking on prominent roles — and several starting — that’s crucial.