Team Starts Final Week of Fall Camp

PROVO -- It was a cool morning as the Cougars practiced in half shells on the last of two-a-days Monday. With less than a week remaining of fall camp, the team continues to work on position mastery and execution.

Quarterback Max Hall led the first-team offense during third-down situational drills, converting on 7-of-10 attempts. Jordan Pendleton recorded a sack to halt third-and-five, while Hall completed passes to Andrew George, McKay Jacobson, Harvey Unga, Manase Tonga and O'Neill Chambers to pick up the first-down.

Team work started with the offense on its own 22-yard line, with Hall connecting with Jacobson for a 12-yard gain. After a 10-yard pass to junior Luke Ashworth, Hall handed off to Tonga who ran for two yards. There was a hard collision as senior defensive back Scott Johnson went to tackle Tonga, resulting in a concussion for Johnson.

“Unfortunately guys are going down,” said BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “We still need to practice and get work done. I don’t think it can be scaled back much more than what it is. We just have to hope they can get back quickly.”

The drive ended with a 32-yard field goal by junior Mitch Payne.

Riley Nelson led the following series, opening with a 17-yard pass to Rhen Brown. Defensive lineman Tevita Hola sacked Nelson for a 10-yard loss, forcing another field goal attempt.

Newcomer Riley Stephenson had a chance to attempt another field goal after the first-team defense recorded a three-and-out against the first-team offense. Stephenson hit a 37-yarder through the uprights.

After a second three-and-out, Payne came in to make a 50-yard field goal.

The final drive of the morning started with a 30-yard pass from Hall to tight end Dennis Pitta. On the defense’s 23-yard line, Hall connected with George and Jacobson for 10 and five yards, respectively. The offense scored its lone touchdown of the day on an eight-yard ball to sophomore Spencer Hafoka. Stephenson converted the PAT.

Hall finished 7-of-8 for 82 yards and one touchdown.

The team resumes practice at 5 p.m. Monday evening. Practice is closed to the public.