BYU football held its final public scrimmage of the year Thursday. Fans have caught the spirit, and are ready to thunder down the sideline toward gameday.
BYU football is here. Almost.
For a moment Thursday, when Tanner Mangum hit Beau Tanner on a deep ball in the corner of the endzone, and the cheers erupted from the crowd, it felt it.
The sun still baked down at Lavell Edwards Stadium, even at 10 AM. The scattering of fans was mostly made up of retirees, teens still enjoying summer break, and some diehards burning sick days for a chance to catch some gridiron action.
It was no BYU football gameday at LES, but it was closer than anything since spring.
It wasn’t even a scrimmage in the traditional sense. There were no points counted, and only scatterings of full 11 on 11s. Special teams didn’t look too clean, and QBs not named Mangum had trouble moving the chains. Troy Warner hauled in a pair of interceptions.
But when Tanner was behind center, he was sharp. BYU football’s ball-hawking defense suddenly seemed perfunctory. Like Mangum was throwing to receivers against paper cutouts.
Maybe the most exciting portion was some one-on-ones where receivers went up against cornerbacks. One athlete on another, balling out for a chance at a big play with eyes watching. With no lineman, the focus suddenly shifted to the battles that wage down the field.
When Jonah Trinnaman squared up against Dayan Ghanwoloku, sparks flew. The watching crowd collectively leaned in, anxious to see how a pair of top Cougars would fair in the duel.
And Matt Bushman? He got a fair challenge, but the freshman TE still made some high-flying chain-movers in drills. Fans are salivating over him. There was a buzz when double-tights lined up in formation.
It was as if the crowd could see the prolific offenses of old flashing before their eyes.
BYU football’s last scrimmage before their August 26 clash with Portland State was just a jolt to get the blood flowing.
Not the real thing, but it was enough for now.
Next: Takeaways from Cougars’ open fall scrimmage
Extras:
Biggest Waterboy Ever
BYU’s honorary bigfoot Motokiai Langi saw some action in the field goal unit. He does have a ways to go, but he knows it.
Tuesday, at the Cougar Sale, I happen to spot big Mo in the crowd. A pair of young fans approached him, asking what position he played.
“Waterboy,” he was quick to reply. “You can find me on the sideline.”
Defensive Celebrations
Due to the old man stingy rules in college football, they will never see the light of day in a game. But during a drill where the defense was practicing interceptions and then blocking to get to the end zone, the Cougars pulled out some great team celebrations.
On one drill, the football become an uzi, gunning down a line of teammates. On another, it was a bomb, tossed in the air and then upon landing, someone roared “Boom!” and everyone hit the deck.
Baseball, basketball, and volleyball teams get to celebrate much more liberally. Maybe it’s time the NCAA get some of their crotchety out and let the kids play.