PROVO, Utah - In the second half of fall camp, the BYU football team conducted Day 11 of fall camp on Tuesday, with the defense standing firm, keeping the offense out of the end zone in practice-ending team sessions.
Players' intensity is continuing to rise despite a no-hit policy at practice.
"It's getting difficult to practice against each other," head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "We're trying to make it through the scrimmage before we break up into scout team."
Senior quarterback Riley Nelson took the first series of the down-and-distance 11-on-11 work. Nelson scrambled for three yards before connecting with junior Austin Holt for a three-yard gain. Later in the drive, junior Michael Alisa picked up five yards on a run. The series ended when sophomore Craig Bills nearly picked off Nelson.
The next drive featured senior James Lark under center. The defense allowed a five-yard gain by senior David Foote before shutting down the offense on its next attempts.
Freshman Taysom Hill took the field finding Foote for a 20-yard completition before the series was cut short due to a fumbled snap.
Nelson started his second series with four straight completions. Nelson completed a five-yard pass to Foote, a four-yard gain to junior JD Falslev, and back-to-back completions to Alisa.
Practice wrapped up with Hill on the field, where he connected with Foote twice for a total of nine yards. Hill found the open field in a third-and-long setting for a 13-yard run.
Nelson finished practice 5-for-7 for 24 yards, Lark went 0-for-2, while Hill finished 3-for-3 for 29 yards. Foote led the receiving corps with four grabs for 34 yards. Having running backs that can catch in the backfield is a valuable asset to Mendenhall.
Offensive lineman Walter Kahaiali'i won't be participating on the field due to medical issues while Fono Vakalahi will transfer. Defensive back Jacob Hannemann and wide receiver Taggart Krueger will fill the open spots in camp.