Thursday Brings Four Scores on Four Drives

PROVO -- Enthusiasm was high as the BYU football team continued to prepare for the upcoming 2009 season, resuming spring practice in the Indoor Practice Facility on Thursday.

“This is probably the most fun I’ve had as a head coach since my second year here,” said BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “This team is proactive and the players are a lot of fun to be around.”

The offense certainly had fun during 11-on-11 team drills as it scored on all of its four attempts—two touchdowns and two field goals.

Senior quarterback Max Hall was a perfect 4-for-4 during the first drive, starting with an eight-yarder to junior Harvey Unga. Outside linebacker Jordan Pendleton recorded a sack on Hall for a loss of six yards, setting up a crucial third-down. Not deterred, junior wide receiver Luke Ashworth hauled in a 29-yard pass to move the chains. After an 18-yard pass to senior tight end Andrew George, Hall ran for 10 yards, marking first-and-goal. For the second time in as many practices, Hall found sophomore O'Neill Chambers in the endzone for the score. Chambers dove over his defender for a five-yard reception.

The offense tried to establish more of a run game on its second set, utilizing junior Harvey Unga and sophomore Bryan Kariya. Junior kicker Mitch Payne converted on a 13-yard field goal attempt to end the drive.

Freshman Malosi Te'o contributed six quick points for the offense as he ran for a 45-yard touchdown on the first play of the following set. Throughout spring ball Te'o has continued to impress his coaches and teammates.

“From the moment Malosi came to BYU we knew he was a hard worker and good runner,” said Mendenhall. “He hasn’t been a surprise to us at all.”

In an overtime situational drill, Te'o ran for another four yards before linebacker Grant Nelson sacked senior quarterback Brenden Gaskins for a loss of nine yards. In for another field goal attempt, Payne successfully recorded a make from 41 yards out.

The Cougars practice again on Friday. The practice will mark the conclusion of the annual Spring Football Clinic for high school coaches.