BYU scrimmage report

For this morning’s scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the weather was sunny and hot — a total contrast to last week’s rainy scrimmage.

BYU quarterback Max Hall was outstanding in his two series of work, leading the first-team offense to a pair of long touchdown drives (80 yards and 66 yards). He ended up completing 13 of 14 passes for 165 yards, with TD passes to tight end Dennis Pitta and freshman Brett Thompson.

“It was a good day for the offense,” Hall said. He also credited the offensive line which did “a phenomenal job,” according to Hall, who was “sacked” three times, though the officials blew a quick whistle in order to protect Hall. The O-line was flagged for a couple of false start penalties on the first drive, but that was a major improvement over last week’s scrimmage.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall said the brightest spot of the scrimmage was watching the offense moving the ball with a mix of players. BYU used a lot of the younger players today, to see what they could do and to keep out proven players. Freshman defensive lineman Remington Peck was credited with a couple of “sacks” on Hall, with linebacker Jordan Pendleton getting the other.

The Cougars used a variety of receivers and O-linemen on Hall’s second series. Running Unga was held out as a precaution while Pitta played just one series. Thompson was a reliable target for Hall, catching four passes for 31 yards. Fullback Manase Tonga, who returned to the team yesterday, couldn’t participate in today’s scrimmage. Due to NCAA rules, Tonga can’t put on full pads until next Wednesday.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the scrimmage was Hall’s ability to convert on third down. Hall was 5-for-5 in third-down situations. At one point, Hall was facing a third-and-18 play and completed a 20-yard pass to wideout O’Neill Chambers.

“We want to be the best third-down team in the nation,” Hall said, explaining that the key is to get into third-and-short situations.

So what does this mean for the defense? Well, Mendenhall pointed out that several starters, including Jan Jorgensen, were held out and there were plenty of younger, less experienced players on the defensive side of the ball.

Mendenhall said he feels “comfortable” with the depth he has at cornerback, although Brandon Bradley (groin) and Robbie Buckner (hamstring) are being held out of contact drills. “It’s a work in progress,” Mendenhall said of the secondary. “When you put the top four out there together, I feel very comfortable. When you start mixing and matching, the cohesion goes.”

Running back J.J. DiLuigi was injured early on in the scrimmage when his shoulder was driven into the turf after making a short pass. Mendenhall said DiLuigi suffered a shoulder contusion.

Also on the injury front, safety Andrew Rich (groin) won’t return until Monday or Tuesday, Mendenhall said. Offensive lineman Houston Reynolds, who tore the ACL in his right knee Friday will undergo surgery and be lost for the season.

True freshman safety Craig Bills saw a lot of work with the first-team defense, in place of the injured Rich. Bills has been trained during fall camp by Rich and Scott Johnson. Mendenhall likes what he sees from Bills, who is a hard-hitter, who, Mendenhall said, has a very similar approach as former Cougar Aaron Francisco.

As for the kicking game, both Mitch Payne and Riley Stephenson made one PAT each. Payne missed a 42-yard field goal.

Quarterback Riley Nelson, named the backup to Hall yesterday, struggled, going 0-for-2 and both of his drives ended in three-and-outs. Senior Brenden Gaskins, who voluntarily moved to third-string, enjoyed his best performance of fall camp, completing 3 of 6 passes for 41 yards. He looked much more relaxed and poised today.