The Cougars held about a 70-play scrimmage on a sunny, cloudless Saturday morning at LaVell Edwards Stadium. About 4,000 fans turned out to watch and while the defense allowed only three touchdowns on 13 series, they were treated to a couple of long touchdown plays, both scored by wide receiver McKay Jacobson.

Quarterback Jake Heaps connected on a 45-yard TD pass to Jacobson against the first-team defense. Later, Riley Nelson hit Jacobson on a 35-yarder on a broken defensive assignment.

Punter Riley Stephenson drew cheers after booming a few 60-plus yard punts (there were plenty of punts on Saturday).

The offensive struggles are "reflective of a growing, youthful offense," coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "We're showing significant signs of progress." Mendenhall was pleased with the cleaner play Saturday than showed Friday.

Heaps engineered four series and completed 10 of 20 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. On the scoring drive, Heaps looked sharp, completed 5 of 6 passes for 85 yards. Nelson had five series and completed 3 of 6 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. He ran twice for 18 yards.

In his two series, James Lark completed 7 of 9 passes for 61 yards and a 19-yard touchdown pass to Dallin Cutler. Jason Munns also had two series, completing 3 of 5 passes for 15 yards.

Defensively, defensive lineman Matt Peterson recorded two "whistle" sacks. Linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Alani Fua each had one "whistle" sack a piece.