PROVO -- The BYU football team held its first scrimmage of Fall Camp in LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday morning. While several projected starters and veterans were held out or saw limited action, many younger players had the opportunity to showcase their skills in real-game situations.
“We held out a lot of the players we don’t have to evaluate, and gave more playing time to our younger players,” said head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “A lot of execution work needs to be done with the younger guys. Next week that will be our focus—getting these players ready to provide the added depth we will need this season.”
The defense was able to hold the offense to just one touchdown and a single field goal, as the team focused mainly on its running game. Freshman J.J. Di Luigi rushed for 31 yards on five carries, while a variety of other young running backs received multiple reps, including Bryan Kariya and Tucker Lamb.
“It’s nice to see the younger guys getting some reps,” said sophomore running back Harvey Unga. “I was in their position at one time so I know how anxious they are and how they feel.”
Junior tight end Andrew George led all receivers with four catches for 79 yards, with his longest coming by way of a 32-yard pass from quarterback Max Hall. Two plays later, Hall found George again for a 26-yard reception, which helped set up a 29-yard field goal by sophomore Mitch Payne.
The defensive play of the day came after junior defensive back Brandon Howard picked off a pass from Kurt McEuen and returned it for a 35-yard touchdown. The young defense continued to make plays—consistently holding the running game to two or three yards per carry.
“This is the time to get out and hit and have fun,” said junior defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen. “Our defense is pretty fast. I was proud of the younger guys for going out and giving it all they had. They just need to learn their positions and assignments a little better, but I thought we stopped the running game pretty well today.”
The offense was able to put together an 80-yard touchdown drive after a 40-yard pass from Hall to freshman wide receiver O’Neill Chambers. Chambers stepped out of bounds at the 33-yard line on what had the potential to be a touchdown pass.
“[The defender] bit on the run and I sold the fake,” said Chambers. “It was a good throw, but I couldn’t keep my feet in. It felt good. Today I just wanted to get out and show what I can do.”
Following a false start penalty on the offense, a 10-yard pass from Hall to Kelly Bills gave the team its only touchdown of the day.
Freshman kicker Justin Sorensen ended the scrimmage by making a 48-yard field goal, his longest of the day. An earlier attempt from 47-yards fell just to the left of the posts.
Hall led all passers, completing 11-of-15 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown, while Brendan Gaskins was 2-of-3 for 21 yards.
Two-a-days will resume on Monday with the team’s first practice beginning at 10 a.m. and the second starting at 5 p.m.