* A loud practice followed by a short scrimmage with short-yardage and live-action scenarios, which the defense dominated.

* The passing game continues to look crisp even without Kevin Prince, but the running game was stood up several times. Richard Brehaut is coming along nicely – kid really does have an arm – but the decision-making is still an issue. Remember: He’s a true sophomore, still very young, and that comes with time.

* Neuheisel challenged the offense by putting the ball at the 2-yard line for one scrimmage scenario, and it wasn’t pretty – several safeties and sacks and only two first downs.

* Eddie Williams left with concussion-like symptoms, but Neuheisel told me after practice that he won’t be going through the protocols quite yet. Darius Savage worked with the first unit and looked good, with a monster block.

* Owamagbe Odighizuwa was back but limited, while Patrick Larimore and Stan McKay were back in full.

* Josh Smith broke another punt return – albeit not against a live defense – and continues to impress. Damien Thigpen got a couple returns, too. He needs the ball. Simply put. Needs the ball. Too fast not to make plays.

* Catch of the day, no doubt: Nelson Rosario over Tony Dye while falling into the Gatorade jugs off the field. Touchdown counted, but Neuheisel screamed, “Get those out of there!” Rosario stayed on the ground for a moment while thrusting the ball in the air for emphasis.

* Neuheisel does not frequently call out the defense for good plays, but Aaron Hester’s break-up of a Brehaut-to-Rosario attempt made him walk about 15 feet just to say, “Aaron, great job. GREAT job.” Hester had another breakup of a – gasp! – Ricky Marvray play, basically poking the ball out. Not sure if I’ve seen Marvray not come down with the ball at all this camp. I did a double-take.

* Dietrich Riley, again, was a beast – no interceptions or fumbles – but he smashed Derrick Coleman on a run, blasting him back three yards.