Jacobson Propels Offense on Day Four

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PROVO -- Sophomore McKay Jacobson shined as preparation for the 2009 season continued with another morning practice session on Wednesday. The recently returned missionary recorded 70 yards on five receptions for one touchdown.

During 11-on-11 drills the offense scored twice, once on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Max Hall to Jacobson and another seven-yard completion from Hall to tight end Dennis Pitta on the last drive of the day.

Several times throughout the day the first-team offense competed against the second- and third-team defenses, a strategy to help younger players gain more experience.

“The defensive coaches are trying to get as many reps as possible for the twos and the threes to see how the depth is going to play out, so it doesn’t matter who they’re going against,” said BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

Craig Bills, Landon Jaussi, Garett Nicholson and Corby Eason all recorded pass breakups for the BYU secondary.

The first scoring drive started with three complete passes to Pitta, Jacobson and Matt Marshall. Once on the 40-yard line, Hall found Marshall for a 20-yard gain before the long 30-yard pass to Jacobson.

Despite struggling with several off-side penalties during the second team session, the offense managed to continue making first-downs and moving the ball. On third-and-18 Hall found Luke Ashworth for a 22-yard completion, soon followed by a 20-yarder to Jacobson.

Defensively, Steven Fisher and Shane Hunter held Harvey Unga to a three-yard loss on the eight-yard line. An eight-yard pass to Bryan Kariya was followed by another off-sides penalty, before Hall hit Pitta for the seven-yard touchdown.

“We have a lot of work to do and it’s still not as clean as I’d like, but the talent is there,” said Mendenhall.

Sophomore offensive lineman Matt Reynolds injured his left hand during practice. An X-ray after practice showed he sustained a fracture. He will see a specialist for further evaluation.

Preparation for the 2009 season continues on Thursday as the team holds its first practice in full pads at 10 a.m. Practice is closed to the public.