PROVO, Utah – The BYU football team wrapped up its third day of fall camp on Friday afternoon with a physical practice in the heat of the day on the SAB practice field.
Much of the practice session was spent on team 11-on-11 work, with several of BYU's offensive linemen getting plenty of work.
The Cougars return six players with starting experience, including center James Empey, left tackle Brady Christensen and guard Tristen Hoge leading the way after starting every game last season. Veteran Thomas Shoaf is back, along with Keanu Saleapaga and Kieffer Longson, who all have starting experience and are competing for one of the guard and right tackle spots.
Other returners working into the mix include a talented group of Chandon Herring, Clark Barrington, JT Gentry, Harris LaChance, Addison Pulsipher, Ethan Atagi and Jacob Smith.
Newcomers include Blake Freeland, Caden Haws, Brayden Keim, Brevan Ward and Mo Unutoa.
BYU opens the season against the University of Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Thursday, August 29. For tickets visit BYUtickets.com
The following quotes are from Friday's post-practice media availability.
BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake
On Zach Wilson being on a pitch count as he comes back from shoulder surgery
We just have to be careful. There have been other quarterbacks who have been in this position and the ones that it didn’t work out well for, they didn’t do a good enough job in the pitch count or planning it out. So we’ve planned out his whole month, all the up till game time with the idea that he’ll be 100% when we hit the game. If you ask him, he thinks he can go, he's a competitor and he’ll go as much as he needs if the game was today, but it’s not. We have this set out as far as the timing and we’ll just work with him on it, but right now it’s going really well with the pitch count we have in mind.
On Zach Wilson increasing his knowledge of the game in the offseason
I think just being really comfortable with being in college was good for him but I think also with the offense and with the guys and just being around the team, I think he feels a lot more comfortable now. I think last year he was still brand new to them and so just the fact that he’s familiar with everything is huge. That happens sometimes with freshmen, especially true freshmen that get on the field and so we expect a lot of improvement and a lot of progress in him and he expects the same from himself.
On his role as a coach getting Joe Tukuafu back to school
My job is to help young men as long as I have an opportunity to do that whether they’re here or not. I got into this business because I like helping people and seeing them reach their potential. That’s not just physically but also mentally and spiritually so I’ve been able to just be involved with him and a lot of the credit goes to Joe and his family and the things that he’s been able to accomplish and the fact that he’s here is a huge credit to the hard work and sacrifice that he’s done himself and his family.
On how the well-run player run practices have manifested in camp so far
I think the biggest thing is we were throwing a lot of different things at them and day one went really well. I think I shared that with you guys and I went home and I told my wife that it was a really good day and she’s asked "Why do you look so disappointed? Because I’m trying to find a way to make tomorrow really difficult. If we’re just good every day and the same everyday then we’re not getting any better. And so we’ve asked coaches to create a little bit of chaos and do things to get them out of their comfort zone and so far we’ve thrown a lot of different things at them and they’ve answered it really well and it’s because of their preparation, and the preparation with the physical part of the game too. We just keep trying to create as much havoc as we can and make sure we do it in the right way but with the idea of just getting them outside of their comfort zone so they can progress and grow and get better every day so it’s not going to be good enough to just be good.
BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes
On the first few days of practice
A lot of energy. I'm really pleased with the way that they've shown up to practice. I think they've done the things this summer that you're supposed to do to show up and feel like you've earned the right to play well. So, I think they're excited about football, and I think it's certainly showing up in the way that we're playing. We're definitely way ahead in terms of our knowledge of the offense and our confidence level than at any time since I've been here. Those are the first two things.
Negatives, we've had a couple of turn overs. We had one pick today. We had a couple the first day, none yesterday, so our goal every day is to not turn it over at all. So, one is not terrible in a practice that has this many opportunities for turn overs, but we want none.
Our communication has gotten a little bit better each day. First day it wasn't very good, and the last two days has been better. A few too many penalties. Not overly silly penalties, but we've had a few false starts and we've got to get rid of those. I think overall, we're headed in the right direction, but a lot of things to improve upon.
On the offensive line
The first thing with the offensive line is I want to see them become the toughest guys on the offense. I don't know if they are that yet or not. Today was our first day in pads, so I'm going to have to watch film to really evaluate that, but that's the first thing. They need to lead our offense in terms of toughness and grit and Coach Mateos is certainly doing all of the right things in terms of building that culture and that identity, and I think they're certainly willing. But, I know we've got a lot of work to do too
If we're going to have the type of culture and the type of identity that I'd like to have on offense, then that starts with them. And if they'll play physical and play hard, then everything else that we want to do will work.
I think we're one of the deepest lines that I've had. We've still got a couple of spots that are certainly up for grabs in terms of competition, but I'm really pleased with the progress of some of the guys who either didn't start or didn't start all of last year. So, competition there is good, and I think it will be a challenge in some spots just to see who makes the play and see what our two-deep is.
Offensive lineman James Empey
His expectations for the role of the offensive line
It’s no secret and it might be cliché, but everything is won in the trenches. If we can be able to do our jobs as well as we need to and dominate the line of scrimmage, I think our offense can do big things. We have the playmakers to do it. We’re just looking forward to doing our part.
Thoughts on the toughness of the offensive line
When you think of an O-lineman, you should think of a big tough guy. As fall camp goes on, we’re going to get tougher and tougher. We’re growing and we’re getting there. Our coaches have us on the right page and right path to get there. They coach us hard and work with us. I think can reach that standard.
On playing Utah’s defensive line in the first game
They are really good. We played them last year and they’re super solid. I have a lot of respect for them and we’re excited to match up with them again when that time comes. We’ve been working hard all offseason, we’ve been working hard in camp and we’re looking forward to that game. We’re excited to play them just as much as we’re excited to play any D-line.