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by Brent Johnson, BYU Athletic Communications
PROVO, Utah (Aug. 19, 2006)--Both sides of the ball made big plays in BYU's third scrimmage Saturday at LaVell Edwards Staduim.
"I think our players sensed the urgency and both sides of the ball executed at times," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "I am not satisfied with our consistency thus far."
"I'm really excited for the season to start," linebacker Bryan Kehl, who had a sack at the scrimmage, said. "Our coaches are doing a great job at helping us get better. We're concentrating on peaking in two weeks [against Arizona]. We're getting better each day."
Practice began with shorter position drills session before the team worked full speed on special teams drills. During the punting drill, Quinn Gooch got free to block a punt. Gooch scooped the punt and pitched it to Andrew George who ran for a touchdown.
After kickoff drills, the team started the scrimmage portion of practice. Early on, the defense held strong forcing three-and-outs on the first two drives.
Behind the powerful running of Fui Vakapuna and Curtis Brown, the offense got rolling on the third drive. Starting on its own 29, the offense put together a 14-play, 71 yard drive that ended with Vakapuna bulling his way in to the end zone from the one yard line.
"I love our offensive backfield," Mendenhall said. "They, along with our linebackers, are driving the team with their emotion and high level of execution."
On the next drive, the second-team offense picked up 25 yards on its first four plays. But back-to-back pass break-ups by the defense stopped the drive.
The third-team offense looked very efficient on the following possession. Quarterback Max Hall, who transferred from Arizona State, led a seven-play, 65-yard touchdown drive. Hall was a perfect 7-for-7 for all 65 yards on the drive. Isaac Taylor scored when he hauled in a 25-yard touchdown pass.
That was the last time the offense found the end zone as the defense held strong on the final five possessions. Jared McLaughlin added a 45-yard field goal on the final play of the scrimmage.
Hall led all passers with his 7-for-7, 65-yard performance. John Beck went 7-for-11 for 55 yards. Vakapuna led all rushers with seven carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. Curtis Brown added 17 yards on four carries.
Former BYU All-Conference safety Derwin Gray attended practice today. He addressed the team in a team meeting prior to the practice. Gray, who played in the early 1990s, was a two-time All-WAC performer before being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. He still holds several team records including tackles in a game (22) and interceptions in a game (3).
BYU will conclude two-a-day practices Monday. The 10 a.m. practice session will be the final open practice.
