PROVO -- BYU started the second week of Fall Camp with two-a-days, looking to improve on what was the team’s first scrimmage on Saturday.
Held out from both practices was senior safety David Tafuna, who complained of nausea following a helmet-to-helmet hit at Saturday’s scrimmage. According to head coach Bronco Mendenhall, Tafuna must fulfill the specific protocol set by BYU’s athletic trainers before receiving clearance to return to practice.
“Whether it’s a concussion or ‘bell-ringer’ they have a protocol he has to pass,” said Mendenhall. “There’s a certain amount of time that has to pass and a few tests. He’ll be back when he completes that.”
In the morning, the team practiced a series of situation drills, beginning with the offense backed up on its own five-yard line. Up next were “Blue Zone” situations, with sophomore receiver Luke Ashworth running for a 20-yard touchdown on first down. Junior quarterback Brenden Gaskins led the second set, attempting a five-yard touchdown pass to freshman O’Neill Chambers on third down, but the pass was broken up by defensive back G Pittman.
The defense struggled to protect the endzone during goal line drills, as sophomore running back Harvey Unga recorded back-to-back rushing touchdowns from the four and two-yard lines, respectively.
“The offense handled all three of the situations at a really nice level,” said Mendenhall. “Defensively they didn’t adjust nearly as fast to the tempo or relating it to a game situation, as to where they might be. There will be more work in that area.”
During the team’s evening 11-on-11 drills, Gaskins lead the second-team offense to a touchdown with a 33-yard pass to Landon Jaussi. On the following drive, Hall threw a deep pass to Ashworth for a 58-yard reception.
Redshirt freshman Kaneakua Friel continued to showed consistency as he has throughout Fall Camp, catching a seven-yard touchdown pass from Hall. The play was whistled dead after a call stating Hall was sacked before the throw. With Fui Vakapuna’s current status unsure, Mendenhall sees the young tight end as a potential replacement at fullback.
“It looks like Kaneakua Friel, kind of an H back, is doing the best job,” said Mendenhall. “There are two or three candidates, but right now if we had to play, he would be the one in that spot.”
Hall led all passers in the afternoon, completing 4-of-8 for 81 yards, while Gaskins connected on 5-of-8 for 64 yards and one touchdown.
The Cougars will practice tomorrow at 10 a.m.