PROVO, Utah – BYU football hosted its first open scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday morning with more than 5,000 fans in attendance.
“This was a good start,” BYU football head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “We ran about 70 plays and there were no significant injuries. We were a little sharper offensively than I thought we would be. Our play-action pass game is strong at this point. Protection and running the ball off tackle are also stronger than what I anticipated at this point. Overall, I saw quite a bit of consistency for the number of guys playing.”
After several position-specific drills the team competed in an 11-on-11 scrimmage. Running back Adam Hine started things off at the end of the first drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.
A few drives later Hine ran the ball for 27 yards after hurdling a pair of defenders. To complete the drive, quarterback Taysom Hill connected with wide receiver Mitchell Juergens for a 29-yard touchdown pass.
“Taysom did a nice job at moving the team and especially at starting fast,” Mendenhall said. “Our team is very effective when we start fast. Most of his throws were on the money.”
Quarterback Christian Stewart quickly followed Hill’s touchdown with a big play of his own. He threw a 71-yard completion to wide receiver Trey Dye before it was called back for holding.
Hine later ran 41 yards from a Stewart handoff to set up a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devon Blackmon.
“Hine did a nice job,” Mendenhall said. “As the scrimmage went you saw a little bit more creativity and confidence with each rep. He’s done a nice job all camp.”
Hill finished 9-for-15 with 98 yards and a touchdown while Stewart ended 12-for-17 with 116 yards and a touchdown.
The defense showed up strong in the scrimmage as well, with linebacker Jherremya Leuta-Douyere collecting a team-high six tackles. Five additional Cougars added three tackles apiece.
Freshman defensive back Grant Jones had the only pick of the day – ending the scrimmage.
The football team also hosted a reunion after the scrimmage for more than 600 people who have been participants in the Thursday's Hero program, which provides inspiration, resources and hope to children and families facing significant life challenges.
The Cougars continue fall camp on Monday with a closed practice.