BYU football: Defense wins scrimmage

PROVO — BYU's fall camp ended Wednesday morning at LaVell Edwards Stadium with a one-hour scrimmage that focused on kickoff and punt coverage, overtime and goal-line situations.

The battle went to the defense, as in four "overtime" series, the offense surrendered turnovers in three of them.

Safety Andrew Rich intercepted quarterback Max Hall and Craig Bills picked off backup Riley Nelson, who also coughed up a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Terrance Hooks. The offense's only score was the result of a short run by reserve running back Tucker Lamb.

"In overtime, to turn the ball over with no points is the very last thing you want to do," said coach Bronco Mendenhall. "Not only did we not score touchdowns, we didn't score field goals and we turned the ball over. That's what I targeted when I visited with the team at the end ... I would have anticipated today there would have been more scores. When you get to the overtime segment and the ball's on the 25-yard line, we basically came away with one touchdown. Defensively, I was encouraged because those are the most difficult situations you can be in. Offensively, we weren't as clean as we needed to be."

In the pair of overtime situations, the Cougars scored on a touchdown pass from Hall to tight end Dennis Pitta and fullback Manase Tonga plowed into the end zone for another score.

While Mendenhall is concerned with some aspects of his team, overall he is pleased with the work his assistants and players got done the past three weeks.

"I think we've done the best job of any of the camps we've had in making sure we've been comprehensive and well-rounded," he said.

With fall camp completed, the Cougars won't practice today. Instead, the players will lift, condition and get treatment for bumps, bruises and injuries. The coaches will spend the day putting together the game plan for the Sept. 5 season-opener against Oklahoma. Mendenhall said he will meet individually with those players who will likely redshirt this season.

"While the other coaches are getting ready for Oklahoma, I'll be solidifying personnel things," Mendenhall said.

Cornerback Brandon Bradley said he's glad fall camp is over. "I'm always excited for the season. Fall camp is a tough time. It's not easy by any means. I think the whole team is ready to stop beating up on each other and finally play against another team."