PROVO -- Two-a-days started on Friday with the first practice in full pads starting at 10 a.m. and an abbreviated, helmet-only practice at 5 p.m.
Cloud cover brought cooler temperatures as the team took the field for its morning practice. After a series of position drills, kickers Mitch Payne and Justin Sorensen led the team in kickoff scenarios. The kickoff team practiced tailoring its approach to each kicker’s style, while freshmen O’Neill Chambers, Garett Nicholson and Steven Thomas waited downfield on the receiving end.
During 11-on-11 drills, the most impressive play of the day came on a long 35-yard pass completion from quarterback Max Hall to Chambers. Other young receivers, including Spencer Hafoka, Landon Jaussi and BJ Peterson, combined for 42 yards on 7 receptions.
“This morning’s emphasis was to look at our younger players and see what they can do,” said head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “We wanted to give them a chance to show us what they’re capable of.”
Hall finished the morning 12-of-14 for 123 yards, while Andrew George and Chambers led all receivers with 35 yards apiece.
The team’s evening practice lasted just over an hour and was made up of less-intense position drills and team action. During 11-on-11 team drills, Hall connected on five consecutive passes with five different receivers, lining the offense up on the four-yard line. The defense was unable to protect the endzone as Hall found sophomore Harvey Unga for the score.
Both the offensive and defensive second and third teams saw the majority of the action during the remaining minutes of practice. Sophomore quarterback Kurt McEuen completed 6-of-7 passes for 65 yards on the final drive, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jaussi in the endzone. While the final decision concerning backup quarterback has not yet been determined, Mendenhall is happy with the two players he has to choose from.
“Brenden Gaskins, from the first day of camp, has done a really nice job, and Kurt is pushing him,” said Mendenhall. “Coming out of spring practice, one of my biggest concerns was backup quarterback, but I am not concerned at this point. I like the way both guys have come back.”
The team will hold its first scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday at 10 a.m. The scrimmage is close to the public.