PM practice report: Gaskins No. 2

Max Hall led the offense to a pair of touchdowns during a two-minute drill as BYU’s offense line showed it may have stepped into another stage of excellence in fall practice as they continually drew a solid protection line.

Brenden Gaskins was named the No. 2 QB.

“I’ve said it before, this offensive line is as good as we’ve had since I’ve been here and I mean from end to end,” said Bronco Mendenhall.

Hall completed 7 of 9 passes for 119 yards with touchdown passes to Dennis Pitta and Reed White. Gaskins finished 3 of 7 for 50 yards.

To set the stage for the offensive firepower, the drill was designed to have the QB get flushed out of the pocket and run while the receivers made adjustments on the fly to get open. On one of the first plays, Hall sprinted out and found Michael Reed isolated on Kellen Fowler and hit him for a 51-yard strike. Reed, who took an immediate hit, looked like he landed wrong on his leg and it buckled. Reed hesitated getting up but then raced to the line of scrimmage to prepare for the next play, a nice pass to Landon Jaussi.

While Ian Dulan did not practice, Matt Ah You made his way back into the starting lineup alongside Matt Bauman in the middle linebacker position.

The scrimmage ended just how the morning session ended with Kurt McEuen trying to force a long pass to Tyler Kozlowski as Brandon Bradley stepped up and picked it off.

Mendenhall said offensive coaches met during the break and decided to name Brenden Gaskins the backup to Hall, they then informed him.

Kelly Bills, a fullback who had his fourth concussion, will not play any more, Mendenhall announced. “He has a great passion for football and the program and we’re looking for a position for him as a student assistant somewhere.” Mendenhall noted it was strange that Kelly and his older brother K.C. had their careers ended early due to medical situations. “They are the type of young men we want in our program and they are great examples.”

Austin Collie is still on the field as I file this report. He’s fielding punts holding three balls under one arm and another under his other arm. Only Harvey Unga and Fui Vakapuna are left in the field, working with Stephen Covey on some option plays, trying to look like Air Force or the old Oklahoma under Barry Switzer. Maybe there is something to this little twist witnessed Saturday in the Stadium in front of a legacy crowd.

Ah You said he had an MRI today and it did not show any serious problem so he is cleared to play.

Mendenhall said he has yet to decide how he will stage the final scrimmage on Wednesday.