Scrimmage Brings Optimistic End to Week One

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PROVO -- Saturday’s culminating scrimmage of the first week of fall camp gave BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall an optimistic view of his team’s progress thus far.

“This was a good end to our first week,” Mendenhall said after his team’s scrimmage in LaVell Edwards Stadium. “I was encouraged with our play today. I think it was an excellent day and there were a lot of good plays. I think we have improved in every team setting.”

More than 3,600 fans watched Saturday’s 70-play scrimmage that featured multiple series from each of BYU’s four quarterbacks. The offense scored three touchdowns on drives of 96, 80 and 40 yards—all under the direction of a different quarterback. The defense, meanwhile, tallied six sacks while improving its effectiveness and consistency as a unit.

“The defense played the run more solidly and consistently today as an overall unit,” Mendenhall said. “We were in the right position on the long touchdown but the offense made the play.”

Capping off a 96-yard drive, freshman quarterback Jake Heaps found junior wide receiver McKay Jacobson down the right sideline for a 45-yard score with senior cornerback Brandon Bradley fighting for the ball. Heaps went 5-for-6 for 85 yards on the drive and finished his four series of the scrimmage with 156 yards overall on 10-of-20 passing.

The defense kept the offense out of the end zone on the next seven possessions until Jacobson again took a long pass to paydirt, this time from junior Riley Nelson from 35 yards out. Nelson completed 3-of-6 attempts during his five series for 52 yards while adding 18 more yards on two designed quarterback draws.

Sophomore James Lark and freshman Jason Munns both led two series during the scrimmage. Lark followed up the Nelson touchdown drive by guiding an 80-yard drive for the final touchdown of the day. Lark completed 7-of-9 passes for 61 yards during the drive after not attempt a pass during his first series. He connected with freshman receiver Dallin Cutler for a 19-yard score. Munns was 3-of-5 for 14 yards over two series that included a heavy dose of running plays.

While sophomore punter Riley Stephenson suffered a couple miss-hits during punting duties, he also showed his high-level talent with numerous booming punts. He placed kicks inside the 12-yard line three times, including a 56-yard effort that he successfully killed at the 4-yard line. He twice propelled the ball 60 yards on punts. Filling in for the injured Mitch Payne, he converted two point-after-touchdown attempts before the defense broke through to block his third PAT try.

Among the other highlights included a 31-yard reception by freshman tight end Austin Holt, a 23-yard catch by freshman tight end Marcus Mathews and a 22-yard receiving gain by junior running back J.J. Di Luigi.

Jacobson tallied 80 yards on his two touchdown grabs to lead all receivers. Freshman receiver J.D. Falslev impressed teaming with Lark, hauling in four passes for 36 yards, while freshman running back Josh Quezada added 26 yards on the receiving end of three passes from Heaps.

Sophomore running back Mike Hague got some solid work with 25 overall yards, 10 as a ball carrier and 15 as a receiver. Freshman Ryan Folsom contributed 15 yards on four carries.

Sophomore defensive lineman Matt Peterson tallied two of the team’s six sacks.

“It was great to play in the stadium with people cheering,” Mendenhall said. “It provided us with another setting to evaluate in.”

BYU returns to practice on Monday. The next public practice is Thursday at 10 a.m. at the SAB practice field.

Fans have another opportunity to meet the team on Tuesday evening at the annual Cougar Kickoff event. Cougar Kickoff starts at 6 p.m. on Haws Field just west of the Indoor Practice Facility.