Week 3 begins, Takenaka showing promise in return game

BYU began its third week of spring practices Monday morning with the team engaged in 11-on-11 team play and skeleton and situational drills for special teams after more extended scrimmaging on Saturday to conclude week 2. 

“Going into week 3 (of spring practices) and a lot of work that has been done already,” BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said Monday morning. “We scrimmaged some on Saturday in front of what I think are the state’s and a lot of the region’s best recruits, so it was a really, really positive day. We learned that our team is willing, we learned that we have good leadership, and I would say (we are) fairly consistent at this point.”

While stating the team has work to do on some special teams, particuarly its punt game, Mendenhall said the play of Snow College transfer defensive back Eric  Takenaka has earned his attention in the return game. 

“We are finding that Eric  Takenaka from Snow college, who led junior college in kick returns, is going to be a good returner for us,” Mendenhall said. “I like what I’m seeing from him."

Some plays of note during Monday’s practice included a nice reception by tight end Bryan Sampson and a 30-yard pass from quarterback Hunter Moore to running back Colby Hansen. Wide receiver Mitch Mathews brought down a long pass toward the sideline, getting his feet in bounds for the reception. On defense, defensive back Garrett Juergens had an interception in one-on-one drills and on special teams linebacker Phillip Amone made a huge block on kickoff return.

Overall, Mendenhall cited a lot of optimism and hard work from his team. 

“It’s very competitive,” Mendenhall continued. “There has been a lot of focus on cleaner play—officiating and rules have been really emphasized. I like where we stand—still a lot of work to do, but I like where we stand at this point.”

The team continues with spring practices on Wednesday morning.