BYU football notes: Hadley still hasn't reclaimed starting role

Provo • Linebacker Spencer Hadley returned from what amounted to be a three-game suspension on Saturday in BYU's 38-20 win over Georgia Tech, and played quite a bit.

Now he's trying to get his starting spot back.

BYU's depth chart released Monday for the this weekend's game at Houston (1:30 p.m. MDT, ESPNews) lists Tyler Beck and Hadley as the co-starters at buck linebacker, and coach Bronco Mendenhall said he "hasn't decided yet" which senior will get the starting nod.

"We haven't discerned or decided on personnel groups for this week," Mendenhall said during his weekly media briefing after Monday's practice. "They throw the football a lot, with a lot of four wide receiver sets. So there will be multiple personnel groups we will have. And he will fit in there somewhere."

The Cougar defense received some good news when starting free safety Craig Bills, who suffered a concussion the first play from scrimmage against Tech, passed protocol.

"So he will be ready to play on Saturday," Mendenhall said.

However, center Terrance Alletto is still experiencing recurring stingers, and has not been cleared to return. Edward Fusi and freshman Brayden Kearsley filled in last week, and will do the same Saturday if Alletto can't go.

Bushman commits

The BYU football program received a commitment on Monday from tight end Matt Bushman, a multi-sport star from Sabino High in Tucson, Ariz. Bushman, 6-foot-5, 205, has made 40 catches for 992 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.

A senior, Bushman will sign with BYU next February, but go on an LDS Church mission before enrolling. He is also an outstanding baseball player, and could possibly play baseball for BYU as well.

According to Scout.com, Bushman also had offers from Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Colorado State, Duke, Pennsylvania and San Diego State.

Battle of the Cougars

Houston coach Tony Levine didn't have much to say about BYU during the American Athletic Conference coaches teleconference on Monday morning, but what he did say was all positive.

"Our focus now is on a very good, very talented, very physical and very well-coached BYU team," Levine said. "Glad to continue to be in Houston this week. I think our players are excited about this next opportunity, this next challenge."

Fua honored again

Linebacker Alani Fua, a junior from San Fernando Valley, Calif., was named the FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after returning an interception 51 yards for a touchdown in BYU's 38-20 win over Georgia Tech. Fua also had a pass breakup and two solo tackles. BYU defenders have won the honor four times in seven weeks.

Now that's improvement

BYU quarterback Taysom Hill has completed 65 percent of his passes in the last three games (50 of 77) for 699 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. In his first three games, Hill completed 35 percent of his passes (40 of 114) for 564 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Hill's passing efficiency rating through the first three games was 74.3; since then it has been 153.1.

drew@sltrib.com

Twitter: @drewjay —

BYU at Houston

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