PROVO, Utah –BYU’s fall football camp included high energy, play making and more intensity on the fourth day of practice.
Starting off with position drills, players continued to learn how to execute plays with exactness and improve on technique. Later sessions included one-on-one drills where one wide receiver would compete against one defensive back, earning points for catches or pass breakups.
With special teams getting a lot of focus so far in camp, kick and punt returners saw action as well. McKay Jacobson, JD Falslev, Dallin Cutler and Cody Hoffman all saw time in return game work.
During the scrimmage at the end of practice the offense found success against a defense that had been stout the first few days of camp.
“The offense finally came to life today, not only on the ground but throwing the football as well,” head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “You hope for that to happen and for practice number four that is very good sign.”
Quarterback Jake Heaps led the offense on two touchdown drives while completing 5-of-6 passes for 98 yards and one touchdown. The first featured Joshua Quezada getting some live work in coming off an ankle injury with a four-yard carry. Heaps later found running back JJ Di Luigi for a 37-yard strike in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
“If we can run and throw like this it will be very good for us,” Mendenhall said. “It’s also very good for our defense to practice against.”
In his second series, Heaps connected with Dallin Cutler for a 36-yard gain. Cutler made one defender miss before being chased down by linebacker Uona Kaveinga. The play set up a 14-yard touchdown run by Di Luigi.
Tomorrow’s practice will mark the first time players can suit up in full pads, allowing for full contact during scrimmage and drills.