Younger Players Given More Opportunities for Improvement

PROVO -- With only three spring practices remaining, the BYU football team went outdoors on Wednesday, taking advantage of the warmer temperatures. The team’s younger players continued to see opportunities to emerge as player-makers for the upcoming season.

“Insertion is finished at this point,” said BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “Now we’re working the younger players to see if they’re capable of moving up a spot or two in the depth chart.”

One of those newcomers, quarterback Jake Heaps, led all passers on the day, completing 7-of-11 passes for 79 yards. On the second series of the day he found fellow freshman Marcus Mathews for 21 yards. Heaps then completed two consecutive passes to Bryan Kariya and Spencer Hafoka for four and seven yards, respectively.

Despite the offensive success, the defense was not discouraged, forcing two incompletions. Mitch Payne, practicing for the first time this spring, successfully converted a 25-yard field goal attempt for the offense’s only score of the day.

One his second drive, Heaps completed a 23-yard pass to freshman Joshua Quezada. Linebacker Connell Hess recorded a sack for a six-yard loss before a bad snap and another sack, this time by Jameson Frazier.

Other highlights for the defense included an incompletion resulting from a ball jarred loose by senior defensive back Brandon Bradley. Jadon Wagner also had a sack to end the third series.

Practice will resume on Friday and is closed to the public.