PROVO -- Enthusiasm for the 2009 season continued on Monday as the Cougars held their second practice of fall camp. Both the offense and defense had shining moment during team drills.
“Everyone looked sharper than they did on Saturday,” said BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “If the players continue with the effort they showed today, this team can reach its potential.”
Like Saturday, the freshmen and transfers began practice thirty minutes prior to the veterans.
The first team session started with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Max Hall to sophomore wide receiver McKay Jacobson. Kicker Mitch Payne successfully converted his first PAT of the day.
Facing a second-and-15 situation Hall stuck again through the air with a 25-yard completion to sophomore Spencer Hafoka. Hafoka has made a successful return to the field after missing spring ball due to influenza.
The first-team offense scored again on the following drive when Hall found senior tight end Dennis Pitta for a 13-yard touchdown reception. The series ended on a high note for the defense as senior defensive back Scott Johnson blocked Payne’s extra-point attempt.
The defense came out strong during the second team session of the day, successfully protecting the endzone on all drives. Senior defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen started things off with a sack on Hall for a loss of seven yards. Punters Riley Stephenson and Tyler Holt traded duties on the following series.
Hall started the third set with an attempt to Pitta, but newcomer Jray Galea'i was there to breakup the pass. Transfer defensive back Corby Eason also provided coverage on a third-down pass attempt to Jacobson.
The defense managed to stop the run game as well, with senior linebacker Coleby Clawson stuffing sophomore Mike Hague for a one-yard loss. Linebackers Matt Bauman and Grant Nelson wrapped up Tucker Lamb on the final drive of the day for a loss of three yards.
On the day Hall completed 10-of-15 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns. The senior quarterback successfully spread the ball around, finding eight different receivers, including, O'Neill Chambers, Bryan Kariya, Andrew George, JJ Di Luigi and Matt Marshall.
“Harvey Unga, Dennis Pitta and Andrew George have proven they can catch the ball,” said Mendenhall. “When you see the ball going outside those three, it’s a positive thing.”
Practice resumes on Tuesday with the entire team starting at 10 a.m. Practice is closed to the public.