PROVO -- The BYU football team stepped into the trenches for its first full-contact scrimmage of Fall Camp on Tuesday. The team participated in an 88-play scrimmage in front of 610 fans who showed up to catch a glimpse of the team before they take on Notre Dame in 18 days.
The scrimmage got off to a fast start when John Beck hit Todd Watkins for a 70-yard touchdown pass on the scrimmage's first play--a play the two have seemed to master over the first week of camp.
Watkins said he and Beck have a lot of chemistry on the deep ball.
"I like John a lot," Watkins said. "He's got a cannon for an arm, and when he's got the opportunity, he can throw it deep. He's working on his short game. When he gets it all together, he's going to be the total package."
Watkins finished the scrimmage with a team leading five receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
Coach Crowton also likes what he sees in his deep threat, not only for the scoring possibilities it brings, but also because it will open up the running game.
"One of the things that helps your running game is if your outside receivers are good and can move the chains. It forces the other team to play a defense where there's not too many guys in the box," Crowton said. "We're hoping to get that with Austin Collie, Todd Watkins, Antwaun Harris and B.J. Mathis. Those things will widen the lanes for the running game."
Another thing that will help the running game is the growth and progression of an offensive line that had six freshmen on its two-deep roster last year.
Crowton commented that the offensive line is doing a good job with their technique, and they always are physical, which also allows the running game to improve.
Beck was also impressed with the play of the o-line during the scrimmage.
"I think they're meshing really well together," Beck said. "They're able to pick things up quickly. I don't think the first group gave up very many sacks today."
One of the highlights of the scrimmage was a shovel pass from Matt Berry to Todd Watkins.
"I saw Todd (Watkins) go outside," Berry said. "Then go this way, and then the other way, so I just flipped it too him. It was a lot easier than turning and throwing to him--just shoveling it. I thought about doing it left-handed for a second, but I had to get it off."
Berry was also credited with the only rushing touchdown of the morning, plunging through the line for a one-yard touchdown to complete a nine-play, 45-yard drive.
One of the fan favorites at the scrimmage was full back Moa Peaua. Peaua, a converted defensive lineman who weighs in at 265 pounds, showed soft hands for a big guy, hauling in three catches out of the backfield for 42 yards, including a 22-yarder.
The offense racked up 450 passing yards and 130 rushing yards in the 88-play scrimmage. Berry led the team in passing, completing 14-of-16 passes and throwing one touchdown, while John Beck wasn't far behind completing 11-of-18 passes for 142 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. All totaled 17 different receivers were credited with at least one reception.
Freshman Ray Hudson led the team in rushing with seven carries for 55 yards, followed by Curtis Brown, who finished with three rushes for 49 yards.
Even though the offense racked up 580 total yards, the scrimmage wasn't completely dominated by the offense. The defense also played well racking up two interceptions and four sacks, including two quarterback takedowns by Shaun Nua. Intercepting passes for the defense were Nate Soelberg and Jon Burbidge. The Cougar defense also forced and recovered two fumbles.
Crowton said he likes what he sees from his defense and thinks that they can continue to play at the high level they played last season. He also said the team will have to play at that level considering the great offensive teams the Cougars will face this season.
The team will resume two-a-day practices on Wednesday. They will practice at 10 a.m. at the practice field followed by an afternoon session in the Indoor Practice Facility. The morning session is open to the public, while the afternoon session will be closed.
PASSING STATS
Player ATT REC YDS TD INT SCK
Berry 16 14 176 1 0 4
Jo. Beck 18 11 142 1 2 1
Ja. Beck 19 10 80 0 1 0
J. Brown 5 4 52 1 0 0
TOTAL 58 39 450 2 3 5
RUSHING STATS
Player ATT YDS TD AVG LNG
R. Hudson 7 55 0 7.9 23
C. Brown 3 49 0 16.3 29
Tahi 2 16 0 8.0 14
Ja. Beck 3 16 0 5.3 9
Jo. Beck 1 7 0 7.0 7
Mahuika 3 1 0 0.3 4
Meikle 1 3 0 3.0 3
Berry 1 1 1 1.0 1
Watterson 3 -5 0 0.0 2
TOTAL 24 143 1 6.0 29
RECEIVING STATS
Player REC YDS TD AVG LNG
Watkins 5 133 2 26.6 *70
M. Smith 3 46 0 15.3 26
Peaua 3 42 0 14.0 22
Mathis 3 25 0 8.3 13
Hafoka 3 25 0 8.3 14
Wilkerson 2 24 0 12.0 19
Reed 2 24 0 12.0 14
Weber 3 19 0 6.3 11
Meikle 2 19 0 9.5 10
Coats 2 18 0 9.0 16
Kukahiko 3 18 0 6.0 7
Hudson 2 15 0 7.5 16
Mauhika 1 13 0 13.0 13
Gillespie 2 11 0 5.5 7
Tahi 1 6 0 6.0 6
A. Collie 1 6 0 6.0 6
Watterson 1 6 0 6.0 6
TOTAL 39 450 1 11.5 70
KEY DEFENSIVE STATS
Player TFL Yds Sck PBU PDF FF FR INT
Carlson-Maddux 1 8 1 0 0 0 0 0
Soelberg 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Nua 2 14 2 0 0 0 0 0
M. Brown 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bills 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Skinner 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Cooper 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
R. Beck 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Turner 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
G. Nelson 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
M. Marquardt 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Denney 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Burbidge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Jensen 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Francisco 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
TOTAL 6 37 4 2 3 2 2 3
* - The John Beck pass to Todd Watkins to lead off the scrimmage went for
70 yards. While the original line of scrimmage was at the offensive team's
20-yard line, the team is playing on an 80-yard field, as opposed to a 100
yard field.