Offense Shines As Cougars Open Week Two

PROVO -- Back indoors, the BYU football team opened the second week of spring practice with continuing work on execution and position mastery.

“We’re trying to keep things really simple this spring,” said BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “This team likes to compete and practice. Our execution can improve, but I really like this team.”

Senior quarterback Max Hall was nearly perfect during 11-on-11 drills, completing 15-of-16 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown.

Hall connected with senior tight end Dennis Pitta for an 11-yard gain to open the first set of the day. After a short run by junior Harvey Unga, Hall found O'Neill Chambers and Bryan Kariya for six- and three-yard receptions, respectively. Kicker Mitch Payne attempted a 44-yard field goal which hit just outside of the left upright.

The first-team offense retook the field after a quick third-and-out by the second team. Hall opened with a four-yard rush followed by a long 16-yard pass to Pitta. The offense continued to spread the ball around, as Luke Ashworth, Kariya and Braden Brown all caught passes, putting the ball on the 17-yard line. On fourth-down Payne successfully converted a 23-yard field goal.

In the final set of the afternoon the first-team defense had several big plays. A run by J.J. Di Luigi was stopped short by senior linebacker Coleby Clawson. After a 15-yard pass from Hall to Chambers, senior defensive lineman Russell Tialavea recorded the defense’s first sack of the day for a loss of nine yards. The chains were moved after a diving catch by Ashworth for 19 yards. Hall connected with senior tight end Andrew George for eight yards on a crucial third-down. After a three-yard rush by Hall, the offense scored its lone touchdown of the day on a six-yard pass to Pitta in the endzone.

Pitta led all receivers with four catches for 37 yards and one touchdown.

The Cougars resume practice on Tuesday. Practice is closed to the public.