PROVO, Utah – In front of over 12,000 fans, the BYU football team participated in its annual blue and white game at LaVell Edwards Stadium Saturday.
After some team warmups and position drills, the game featured the first-team offense and second-team defense on the West team competing against the first-team defense and second-team offense on the East team.
Several expected starters were held out of the competition as precautions, giving coaches a chance to evaluate depth at every position with younger players getting an opportunity make their mark.
The offense scored four touchdowns and added one field goal in a 16-14 victory by the West team.
Sophomore Ammon Olsen quarterbacked the West team, completing 6 of 11 passes for 96 yards. Junior quarterback Christian Stewart found the end zone for the only passing touchdown and was 5 of 8 for 46 yards. Freshman Tanner Mangum finished the day a perfect 8 of 8 for 73 yards while newcomer Billy Green completed 4 of 6 for 26 yards.
Paul Lasike led the run-attack with nine carries for 78 yards including a 32-yard scamper for a touchdown on the last play of the game.
Running back Jamaal Williams also ran for a touchdown on the first series of the day and had two attempts for seven yards. He also had 14 receiving yards. Back from a mission, returned missionary AJ Moore had six runs for 33 yards.
Slot receiver Cody Raymond pulled down three catches for 71 yards to lead all receivers. Mike Edmunds grabbed three passes for 29 yards while Ross Apo had two receptions for 20 yards. Terenn Houk recorded two receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Tight end turned linebacker Jordan Egbert highlighted the defensive effort with two sacks and linebacker Alani Fua contributed 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup. Linebacker Tyler Beck and defensive lineman Michael Doman each added another sack while defensive back Jordan Johnson had one pass breakup.
The West team found the end zone first on a three-yard touchdown run by Williams. The drive included a 14-yard catch by Raymond and a quarterback-keeper for a gain of 14 from Olsen. Olsen was 4 of 5 for 26 yards on the series.
The East capped off its first drive with Stewart connecting with Houk for a three-yard touchdown reception.
Raymond shined in the following series with a 49-yard catch from Olsen but Jordan Johnson ended the drive short with a pass break up on a deep pass in the end zone to shut down the drive.
Later in the game, Houk positioned the East within three yards after an 18-yard grab before stepping out of bounds. Mangum then ran in for another East score. The West wrapped up the game with a game-winning 32-yard rushing touchdown by Lasike. No point-after attempt was tried.
The team continues preparations for the 2013 season with another week of spring practice Monday.