By MARK STRINGHAM
When 16th ranked BYU takes the field Saturday afternoon, the fans will notice that this year's team has a lot in common with the fifth-ranked Cotton Bowl Cougars of a year ago.
The uniforms are still blue and white.
Lavell Edwards is still the coach.
With those two obvious facts aside, there are new faces and new numbers to watch for this year. The special teams, for example, will see some turnover.
Gone are the likes of the dazzling James Dye and the sure-footed Ethan Pochman.
'We've definitely got changes,' said Cougar special teams coach Tom Ramage.
And with any good football program, change is a part of the game.
'We always need a couple of good return men needed for kickoffs and returns,' said coach Edwards.
In 1997, that baton will be passed on to freshmen cornerback Jaron Dabney and Aaron Roderick.
At five-feet nine inches and 180 pounds, Dabney may not seem like a natural to replace Dye, but Ramage sees positive things ahead for the new tandem. 'Rodrick has done (returns) before and Dabney has real good quickness,' Ramage said. Both Dabney and Rodrick are also expected to see action on offensive as wide receivers.
Redshirt freshmen Owen Pochman is expected to fill the shoes of field goal kicker and brother, Ethan. Largely untested, Owen, will not have much time to get warmed up for the big game. His first division I experience will come Saturday in Cougar Stadium.
Special team veterans Derik Stevenson and Derick Bates are back to add a touch of familiarity to the newcomers.
Even with all the changes, Ramage, now in his 25th year at BYU, said he isn't too concerned.
'I really think we'll be fine.'
Just don't tell the Huskies.