PROVO -- Two-a-day practices began today with both sides of the ball making plays in the head-to-head team drills.
The practices were not yet full-contact as players were instructed to hit but stay on their feet.
"We're continuing to learn on both sides of the ball," head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "We are getting a better idea in terms of what personnel is going to make the plays."
In the morning session, which began at 10 a.m., the Cougars practiced in full pads. As planned, more emphasis was placed on the running game in the morning session with the passing game being the principle area of work in the evening session.
In the morning team drills, Mendenhall was pleased with the execution on the play-action pass.
"Coverage in the secondary was sound," he said. "The offensive line protected very well, which gave the quarterbacks an opportunity to move in the pocket and find the open receiver."
The 11-on-11 segment showcased a back-and-forth battle between the offense and defense with both sides making big plays. During the second possession, the tandem of Jason Beck-to-Brett Cooper hooked up on three passes for 54 yards including a 28-yard completion. Ray Hudson finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown scamper.
The defense responded. Quinn Gooch, at 6-feet, 196 pounds, stepped up and popped 6-3, 263-pound tight end Daniel Coats just as the ball arrived, knocking down the pass. The very next play Chris Bolden got free and hit running back Harvey Unga forcing a fumble which Bolden recovered himself.
On the next drive, freshman corner Robbie Buckner knocked a pass down. Two plays later Gary Lovely tipped a Jason Beck pass in the air and Nate Hutchinson made a diving interception. On the second play of the ensuing drive, Bolden used his speed to get free and sack John Beck.
The offense came back, converting a third-and-14 play to keep its drive alive. John Beck led a 15-play drive that was capped off by an eight-yard Zac Collie touchdown catch.
The 5 p.m. segment was by design shorter than the earlier practice session. The players practiced in shoulder pads and shorts. The evening practice had one abbreviated team drill to finish in preparation for tomorrow's full-contact drills.
Mendenhall said tomorrow's practice, which is closed to the public, will feature shorter drill segments to allow for a scrimmage of approximately 65 plays.
"It will be good to see how they [the team] respond to adversity and go until the end of the each play," Mendenhall said.