PROVO, Utah - Putting on the pads for the first time this spring, the BYU football team finished its first week of spring practices outside under the sun on Friday afternoon.
Both sides of the ball were anxious for their first opportunity with some serious contact. Competitiveness was abound on every play with players looking to make an impact.
"I know our guys like to play and they are working really hard and we had a fun day today," head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "I really liked the first day in pads. It sounded really good too. Its hard to keep guys on the sidelines because they want to go in. Guys with slings are trying to go in and hit people."
On the last drive of the team session at the end of practice quarterback Riley Nelson got the offense into the end zone for the second straight day. Nelson connected on 6 of 7 passes on the drive for 56 yards, ending in an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kaneakua Friel.
"There was some efficiency and the last drive the offense moved the ball really well," Mendenhall said. "The rest of the practice the defense played really well. It looks good to me."
Earlier in the team portion both offense and defense were able to make plays back and forth. Quarterback James Lark got the offense moving with long completions of 17 and 23 yards to wide receivers Cody Raymond and Kurt Henderson, respectively. On a fourth-down attempt inside the 20, Lark's pass was intercepted by linebacker Alani Fua.
The Cougars will begin the second week of spring ball with practice sessions next week.