Dec. 8, 1999

PROVO — In early November, Luke Staley's freshman year was going better than he could have ever dreamed.

The BYU running back had scored a team-high 13 touchdowns, gained more than 700 total yards and for the first time in his life was playing on the same team with his older brother, Dustin, a Cougar safety. BYU boasted a 7-1 record and a lofty national ranking.

Then on Nov. 6 at San Diego State, Staley suffered a calf injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season. With Staley out, the Cougar running game vanished, and BYU lost its final two games. All he could do was watch helplessly.

"I just had to sit there," Staley said. "I couldn't do anything."

Well, Staley plans to be back for the Dec. 27 Motor City Bowl against undefeated Marshall. He will be participating with teammates when the Cougars resume practices Friday and Saturday.

"I'm excited to play again and end the season on a good note," he said. "Marshall has a high-powered offense. We're going to have to score a lot of points. It'll be good to get back into the groove and contribute to the team."

The Cougars scored 34 points in their last two games — 17 in each. Would Staley's presence have made a difference in BYU's season? "I hope I would have," he said. "But it's a team game."

As for other injured Cougars, fullback Kalani Sitake, who suffered a broken ankle against Wyoming, will not be available. Nor will linebacker Jeff Holtry, who has undergone knee surgery. Safety Tyler Nelson, who sustained neck and shoulder injuries, could return to action.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS . . . AN INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY: As BYU gets ready for the Motor City Bowl, players and coaches are hoping the weather will cooperate with their plans.

If snowy, inclement conditions prevail, the Cougars will be forced to practice inside the cramped confines of the Smith Fieldhouse. "It's less than ideal," said BYU athletic director Val Hale. "We can't get both the offense and defense in there at the same time."

Cougar coaches had considered holding two-a-days in St. George on Dec. 20-22, but apparently they have scrapped that idea. "It would be a tactical nightmare," said BYU media relations director Jeff Reynolds. "And the weather may not be good enough to warrant that much work."

On Dec. 23, the Cougars are scheduled to fly to Detroit, where they will be able to practice in the Pontiac Silverdome.

But between now and then, the Cougars sure could use a wide-open, climate-controlled place to play. "This is a perfect example of why we need an indoor practice facility," Hale said. "It is critical for our bowl preparation."