Day 13: Scrimmage report

BYU finished a 60-play scrimmage Saturday morning at LaVell Edwards Stadium. It’s expected to be the final major scrimmage before the season opens — two weeks from today against Washington.
The most noticeable thing about the scrimmage was what quarterback Riley Nelson wore — or didn’t wear. Instead of donning a green jersey, as the QBs usually do, he took it off, meaning, for the first time of fall camp, he was able to be hit by the defense.
Nelson loved it.
“I had fun. It was something I had been talking to the coaches about for a long time, since spring, really,” he said. “We figured I’m going to get hit eventually during the season, and if we’re going to have designed quarterback runs, I’ve got to get used to contact, because guys are flying around out there. There are big hits out there in Division I college football. That was the main goal — to be able to take those hits, hold on to the ball and get used to them, so when we get to the season we don’t have any problems with ball security.”
Nelson kept drives alive with his feet, running six times for 39 yards. He completed 9-of-13 passes for 69 yards.
Jake Heaps was 8-for-11 for 56 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown pass to Richard Wilson — the only TD of the scrimmage.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall said the race at quarterback is “dead even.” He said a decision on a starter probably won’t come until game week.
James Lark was 4-for-4 for 72 yards and a touchdown. Jason Munns was 7-for-11 for 68 yards.
Wilson was impressive, with three catches for 51 yards, as was wide receiver Rhen Brown, who had four catches for 65 yards.
About 8-10 players — like J.J. DiLuigi, Bryan Kariya, Andrew Rich — were held out of the scrimmage because they’ve proven themselves.
The Cougars will begin game week on Thursday, when they’ll start preparing in earnest for Washington. Coaches will also make decisions on the scout team that day, too.