BYU football: 'Mad Max' Hall gets Cougars' offense back on track
BYU quarterback Max Hall was eager to return to the practice field after he, along with the rest of the offense, struggled Friday in a scrimmage dominated by the defense. Hall came back strong Monday, completing 10-of-11 passes for 107 yards, including touchdown passes to tight ends Andrew George (34 yards) and Dennis Pitta (18 yards) during 11-on-11 drills.
"All Friday showed is that as good as we think we might be, we still have a lot of work to do," Hall said. "When stuff doesn't go our way, we have to find a way to overcome it. You learn from it and you move on. We had a pretty good day (Monday).
"Friday, as far as the offense, we got separated a little bit. Guys were bickering at each other, and things weren't going our way. If we can overcome that and play like we did today and have fun and play as a unit, that's when we're good.
"We need to do that all the time, no matter what's going on," Hall said.
At one point during Friday's scrimmage, Hall berated wide receiver Austin Collie. Hall admitted Monday that he should have handled the situation differently.
"I'm a fiery guy, but I'm not someone to get up in someone's face, especially the offensive linemen. They work too hard, my receivers work too hard, for me to get up in their face and yell at them. I think I have a good relationship with my guys, and I want to keep it like that."
Asked about his relationship with Collie, Hall said, "We're both so competitive, and we both have kind of big personalities. That's probably why we're such good friends. I think we're a lot alike. We're on the same page, and I'm glad to have him."
Hall added that his frustrations on Friday stemmed from being a perfectionist.
"That's just how I am. I feel like every time I step on the field I should complete every pass and score on every drive. I have to realize that sometimes that's not going to be the case," he said.
"It was frustrating for me not to be able to move the ball, especially on our first live day, because we were pumped up for it. ... Obviously, it went a little bit better (Monday). We were a lot more crisp. The offensive line did phenomenal. They were quick getting to the line, quick making their calls, and they blocked well. I think that was the difference."
Hall was so upset with the way the offense played Friday that he refused to talk to the media afterward. Monday, he apologized to reporters for not answering their questions.
"I've got a good relationship with you guys, and I like talking to you guys," Hall said. "I hope you didn't get offended by that. It won't happen again. If it does, grab me by the facemask and pull me out."
D-LINEMAN SUSPENDED: BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall announced Monday that freshman defensive lineman David Angilau has been suspended indefinitely for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Angilau, a 6-foot-1, 266-pound freshman from Longmont, Colo., redshirted last season.
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com
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