Fall Camp Underway in Provo

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PROVO -- Saturday marked the first practice of fall camp for the Cougars as preparation began for the 2009 season.

“I’ve been very impressed so far with not only our team’s conditioning, but also their spirit to play the game,” said BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “I think we’re all hungry and anxious to play.”

Newcomers took the field 30 minutes prior to the veterans, giving more one-on-one teaching opportunities in individual position work.

The entire team worked on third-down drills, with senior quarterback Max Hall finding All-American tight end Dennis Pitta in double coverage. The defense successfully stopped conversions on four attempts, including two breakups by redshirt freshman Robbie Buckner.

Hall opened team drills with a 13-yard pass to sophomore McKay Jacobson, who missed the majority of spring ball due to injury. Pressure from linebacker Jordan Pendleton forced an incompletion to tight end Andrew George and contributed to a punt on fourth-down by newcomer Riley Stephenson.

Senior quarterback Brenden Gaskins found BJ Peterson for a 10-yard completion to begin the second drive, but linebacker Jeff Bell’s sack cut the drive short.

Running backs Harvey Unga, Malosi Te'o, Mike Hague and Tucker Lamb rotated in the backfield throughout the drills.

The longest pass of the day came on a 44-yarder from Hall to sophomore wide receiver O'Neill Chambers. Chambers out-ran several defenders before stepping out of bounds near the five-yard line.

“O’Neill did a great job today,” said Hall. “It’s nice to have fast receivers all over the field. We’re excited for 2009 and what’s coming ahead of us. It felt right today.”

Practice will resume on Monday with the newcomers starting at 3:30 p.m. and veterans joining in at 4 p.m. Practice is closed to the public.