Coach Mendenhall interview
Listen to Audio
Scrimmage
Riley Nelson got things started during the scrimmage with the first-team offense. Problem is, the defense was bolstered by the return of Kyle Van Noy and Ian Dulan, who both scrimmaged on Saturday for the first time this fall.
Van Noy in particular was pumped to be out scrimmaging again after also missing spring camp. On only the second play of the scrimmage, after stopping running back Michael Alisa as he tried to bounce a play to the outside, Van Noy was notably fired up and quite vocal near the offense’s sideline and let them hear about it.
Cody Raymond had a productive day, catching three passes from Nelson, including a great diving grab down the middle of the field.
Nelson had a few scrambles, including an option keeper that he took to the corner of the end zone. In the past, the play would probably have been whistled dead once a defender got near Nelson, as scrimmages have often been accompanied by early whistles. However, there were no whistles on Saturday, thus encouraging ball-carriers to keep going.
Leading the second-team offense, James Lark completed passes to David Foote and Adam Hine out of the backfield. Jason Munns got a few plays in at quarterback but did not complete his lone passing attempt.
Ammon Olsen completed a pass to Foote, while Taysom Hill came in and ran the option but did not attempt any passes.
Despite getting bottled up by Van Noy and company as described above, Alisa was later able to break a run to the outside and get a nice gain down the sideline after appearing as though he would get stopped quickly.
Preston Hadley had a great day, breaking up a Nelson pass and also getting two interceptions during practice, whether in skeli drills or scrimmaging.
He wasn’t the only Hadley that showed well. Not to be outdone, Spencer Hadley sniffed out a couple running back screens and blew them up.
Notes
- Tight end Devin Mahina broke a bone in his hand on Saturday and is scheduled to have surgery. He will be out for three-to-five weeks.
- Receiver Dallin Cutler hurt his hamstring during practice.
- After Mendenhall indicated on Friday that Cody Hoffman and Joe Sampson would return to practice after a one-day disciplinary issue, neither practiced on Saturday. After Saturday’s practice, Mendenhall said that they will both be out through at least Monday.