Practice Moves Indoors for Situational Work

PROVO -- With only two days of fall camp remaining, the 2009 Cougars worked on several situational drills on Tuesday as practice was moved indoors.

The first team session consisted of two overtime series. Senior Manase Tonga was kept busy, catching three passes from quarterback Max Hall for 14 yards and rushing for two. Wide receiver O'Neill Chambers bought down a six-yard pass despite coverage from Garett Nicholson. Shawn Doman’s sack on Hall ended the drive prematurely, sending in kicker Mitch Payne to attempt a 25-yard field goal, which went far left.

Sophomore Riley Nelson came in to lead the second overtime situation, completing a 15-yard pass to newcomer Peni Maka'afi for the first-down. Maka’afi also recorded a two-yard run, but back-to-back incompletions to Mitch Mathews and Brett Thompson stopped the offense, while Payne came in and made a 22-yard field goal.

The second session of team work began with a 21-yard completion from Hall to sophomore Spencer Hafoka, followed by a 15-yard run by Bryan Kariya. Tight ends Andrew George and Dennis Pitta caught a pair of eight-yard passes, but the defense forced another early end to the drive. Payne made his second field goal of the day, this time from 36-yards out.

Running backs Tucker Lamb and Mike Hague traded handoffs as the second-team offense took the field. Defensive lineman Tevita Hola sacked Nelson for a loss of five yards, while Payne missed a 44-yard field goal to end the drive.

Junior Luke Ashworth became a popular target for Hall in the final drive of the day, with the pair connecting on three consecutive balls, for a combined 33 yards. On the 22-yard line, after another short run by Tonga, Doman recorded his second sack of the day. Back-to-back incompletions to Chambers and Ashworth in the endzone ended the series. Riley Stephenson came in to attempt a 45-yard field goal, which was blocked by sophomore linebacker Jordan Pendleton.

Hall finished the day completing 12-of-18 passes for 99 yards, while Nelson was 3-of-6 for 32 yards.

The team will participate in its final practice of fall camp when it holds a scrimmage in LaVell Edwards Stadium at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The scrimmage is closed to the public.