Snowy weather rules BYU football’s spring schedule, but QBs, defense on track

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PROVO With another snowy spell blanketing the Wasatch Front, Saturday’s previously scheduled scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium looked a little different than head football coach Kalani Sitake had originally planned.

About midway through spring practice, the Cougars moved the 20-year-old back to indoor practice, ran a few scrimmage-style drills and had a live catch before next Friday’s spring showcase at the now-annual alumni game. .

But the biggest difference came before the players had attached the pads.

“We started meetings at 7:40 a.m.,” sophomore security student Talan Alfrey said. “I can’t remember a time I’ve ever done football (activities) this early, but it wasn’t that bad. It was a good time to start.”

Maybe the Cougars are just getting ready for possible noon kickoffs when they join the Big 12 this fall.

Regardless of the time or location change, Sitake said he was pleased with the way the defense performed during live practices, including forcing turnovers and causing disruptions under new defensive coordinator Jay Hill. Alfrey, too, added that the defense probably won the day, but admitted that “I might be a bit biased”.

Bias or not, at least one member of the offense would agree with him, even if the points or stats didn’t count.

“I think the defense got us today, if I’m being honest,” said veteran punt returner Hobbs Nyberg, who has seen more time on long snapper Kody Epps’ recovery. “We didn’t look our sharpest offensively today.”

One offensive player who definitely stood out was quarterback Jake Retzlaff, a former California junior college standout who returned 11-11 after opening camp while recovering from emergency tonsillectomy and rhinoplasty to repair a deviated septum.

That doesn’t hurt Kedon Slovis, a transfer from USC via Pitt whose coaches still hold the pole position with starting-level reps, or any other backup quarterback. But Sitake said it was especially good to see Retzlaff back under center.

“I just like that he was able to do a lot more today, running the 11-11, being in the huddle and going through two-minute situations,” Sitake said. “We’ve seen what other guys can do, and Cade Fennegan, Nick Billops and Ryder Burton have done some good things. But Jake hasn’t been completely healthy, and today he did the most. He’s got a really strong arm and this real presence around him, which extends to another crime.”

The Cougars shut down quarterback-turned-defensive end Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters after the New Mexico Bowl offensive MVP suffered a knee injury last week while carrying the ball. Coaches say the injury isn’t serious and shouldn’t keep Maiava-Peters out of fall camp or the start of the season, and other sources have confirmed a short recovery timeline for the running back’s injury.

But caution remains, especially since BYU players have hit and fought live more in the spring than ever before during Sitake’s tenure.

“I actually like it a lot,” Nyberg said. “It makes the injury better, but we’re taking a big step into the Big 12 and we have to be ready. I think it’s good to get us ready for the game.”

However, there is more to defense than just tackling. At times, installing a new defense under Hill, who has said he wants an aggressive defense that doesn’t falter and isn’t afraid to cause disruptions, can feel like drinking from a fire hose, especially in the defensive backfield where Hill also serves. as safety coach in addition to his role as assistant head coach.

“At safety, we have coach Hill in our room and we benefit a lot from him being there and teaching us the whole defense,” Alfrey said. “We’re not just learning our position, and it’s been helpful to understand the whole defense.”

Hill wants the entire defense installed by the end of spring practice, which he said last week the Cougars were on track for. Sitake added the caveat that additional film-based installation will continue throughout the summer, but that BYU players will provide film for review in limited contact with the coaching staff and in their own evaluations.

But last week was a big step forward for the defense, Sitake said.

“We want to teach with our guys in our uniforms,” the eighth-year head coach added. “Once we get everything done in the spring, we can teach all summer and go to fall camp with our guy. He’s trying to feed them through a fire hose, but that’s the way it has to be. Our guys are smart, they can handle it.”

It’s alot. But it’s also manageable and necessary when transitioning to a new conference.

“It’s kind of like drinking from a fire hose,” Alfrey said, “but we can spend extra time watching a movie by ourselves and pick it up.”

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