More than 18,000 fans attend Blue & White Spring Scrimmage

PROVO, Utah – More than 18,000 Cougar fans attended the BYU football Blue & White Spring Scrimmage on Saturday afternoon as the white team defeated the blue 30-12 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

"The environment was exciting for the guys," BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said. "There were a lot of fans that attended. The energy in the stadium was high, and the players used it well. We have great fans, and we’re the type of program where we want our fans to feel ownership on this team."

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Several sophomore players highlighted the stat sheet during the game. Second-year quarterbacks Tanner Mangum and Beau Hoge led the white team, with Mangum throwing 5 for 8 for 82 yards and a touchdown and Hoge completing 5 for 10 for 83 yards and a score as well. Sophomore running back Squally Canada rushed for 45 yards, and while fellow sophomore Moroni Laulu-Pututau led the recievers with 73 yards on the day. Nate Sampson, a sophomore tight end, had 31 receiving yards to lead the blue team, with second-year linebacker Adam Pulsipher recording four tackles to lead the blue defense.

The day started off with some quick warm-ups and a set of 7-on-7 skeleton drills, followed by the 11-on-11 spring game. Points scored during the skeleton drills carried over to the scrimmage and added to the final score.

In the first drill of the afternoon, Hoge hit Sampson for a touchdown to put the first points of the day up for the blue team, 6-0.

On the next drive, Mangum threw to sophomore running back Brayden El-Bakri to tie things up, 6-6.

Mangum, who switched to the blue team on the next drive, found senior receiver Nick Kurtz for another score, putting blue up 12-6 at the end of the skeleton drills.

The white team struck first in the scrimmage, with Mangum hitting Laulu-Pututau in the end zone from 27 yards out to edge ahead 13-12.

After a couple empty possessions from both teams, the white squad was able to string together a drive that led to a 23-yard field goal, extending the lead to 16-12 at the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter, Hoge scored off a one-yard quarterback sneak, putting white up 23-12 after the extra point to end the half.

In the final drive of the day, Hoge hit senior receiver Garrett Juergens crossing the back of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown, bringing the final score to 30-12 for the white team.

Some players did not participate as they continue to rehab injuries while other upperclassmen were held out only from the game portion of the day. 

BYU will finish its spring practices next week with three practices before concluding with Alumni Day on Friday, April 1.

White Team Stats

Blue Team Stats

QUOTES

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake

On the scrimmage:

"We wanted to have to game early so that we could fix the mistakes on the field. Overall, it’s a work in progress. We saw a lot of good things from the younger players. A bunch of guys were held out so the play could have been a lot cleaner. We have three practices left to work on the things that we have to fix."

On excitement:

"The environment was exciting for the guys. There were a lot of fans that attended. The energy in the stadium was high and the players used it well. We have great fans and we’re the type of program where we want our fans to feel ownership on this team."

BYU offensive coordinator Ty Detmer

"We were a little sloppy in some areas. I thought we were really basic so we didn't have a lot in the plan by design, but it was good to see guys getting out and moving around. Some of the guys who haven't gotten a lot of reps got a lot today so there will be plenty to clean up on Monday."

On Taysom being gone:

"You miss his presence. He's that type of guy that when he's around, he brightens everything up and so it was disappointing he couldn't be here. We're all thinking of him."

On spring practice:

"Spring's been good. It's been fun to get out with the guys and see where they're at. It's really been an evaluation period to see who can do what and what we can do. We've put enough in that we tested them some days and other days have been a repeat so I think we have a good idea going out of spring where we're going to start come fall, and that was our number one priority coming in. We don't have a lot of meeting time during the spring because we're continuing the weight training so that takes away from our time. We've got sharp, mature guys who understand football so that's been fun to see."

On what offensive players stood out:

"Squally ran well and made some good cuts. He runs with power. The running backs played well today so that was good to see them in live action. I thought Tanner threw it really well and Beau made some good plays and got out of trouble with his legs. There are still some things to clear up, but I think it was good to see that group play together. We need to keep working. Today was one of those situations where there wasn't a lot in the game plan. We had a pretty simple game plan today, so we didn't give them a lot to work with and that was by choice. We just wanted to see them play a little bit."

QB Tanner Mangum:

On the day:

"I thought we had a good day. We kept everything limited. We held out a lot of guys so what we had in was pretty simple. Obviously there are things that we can clean up, but overall, we took some steps forward today. The Cougar fans are awesome. You can feel the energy that was brought to the game."

On the potential of this team:

"Our potential is huge. We have a lot of guys that go make plays. Week by week we are making improvements. We just have to keep working and going forward toward the season."