Football concludes practice five of spring

PROVO, Utah – A warm day of practice was highlighted by several big plays as BYU football conlcuded day five of spring ball Thursday.

The Cougars engaged in one-on-one situaltional drills as well as skeleton and 11-on-11 team scrimmages. Receiver Nick Kurtz caught a 50-yard pass from Taysom Hill and Terenn Houk also hauled in a deep catch, going up to get it in the air.

Running back Cody Bond had a huge catch-and-run while Nate Carter, Algernon Brown, Kurt Henderson and Travis Frey each had receptions. Defensive back Michael Davis notched two pass breakups, one being in the back of the end zone. 

Here is what receiver coach Guy Holliday and a couple players had to say after practice:

Receivers Coach Guy Holliday

How's spring going?

"I think it's been up-tempo, a lot of energy.  Just trying to do things right. As coach Mendenhall would say, get the will in and then the skill will start to come. And then keep some people healthy, that's key for any spring. So far it's been productive for us."

How's Nick Kurtz coming along?

"He's coming. He's trying to get the rust off a little bit. I think from a receiver's standpoint he's done some really good things. I think Mitch has pulled up a little bit for him. He's been really good. I think Devon Blackmon has improved greatly, which I expected after being a year in the system. Kurt Henderson is doing well."

How are the inside guys?

"I think Terenn is having a solid spring. Juergens' knowledge really helps us tremendously and I think Trey Dye is going to make improvements. What we're doing now and what you're seeing a little bit is we're moving guys inside and out. You'll see some sets where Devon is inside, where Mitch is inside."

On Taysom saying this is the best group of receivers he has played with:

"We got a chance and we'll keep progressing. It's kind of like a horse. If you stop spanking him, he'll stop running. We gotta keep whipping him and getting him faster and faster and faster, and then at the end, let's see what the numbers say. Let's not pet him too much."

DL Remington Peck

This week we had a big focus on effort defensively. Practices are hard, so I feel like we've gotten better that way. Also penalties are a lot better. There's been a protocol for that installed this week, and I feel like we've gotten a lot cleaner. 

How much of that protocol is players and how much is coaches?

Effort is all players and penalties is coaches. You have your chance, if you hold or commit a penalty, it's your choice. You can go do burpees or you can get caught on film and it's double the penalty. 

How is defensive line progressing?

"It's going pretty good. There are a couple new guys that have been good. I feel like it's good to have Bronson back. Mo (Kaumatule) and myself, we've been out, haven't done any team work, but we'll be back on Monday. It'll be nice to have everyone back."

C Tejan Koroma

What's it like having a year under your belt?

It's a lot better. A lot more expereince. I'm closer with the guys. It's fun to play with them. I want to do better for them. I have a lot more confidence going into the practices, and then once games come around, I'll be a lot more confident then too.

What's it like to face Travis Tuiloma?

"Travis is a beast. He is a good football player. It's nice going up against him because I know if I can do at least decent against Travis, I'll be pretty good against other nose guards. Travis makes me better and hopeully I do the same for him."