BYU quarterback Jaren Corridor grins throughout observe Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, on the out of doors observe facility in Provo. Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photograph
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake appears on throughout observe Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, in Provo. Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photograph
BYU soccer coach Kalani Sitake had two items of fine information for reporters after the Cougars wrapped up his seventh fall camp with a 100-play scrimmage — that didn’t embody dwell tackling — at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Tuesday.
First, his group performed quite a lot of actual, bodily, 11-on-11 soccer over the course of 14 practices, maybe greater than in every other preseason or spring coaching camp in Sitake’s time in Provo.
Second, and maybe extra importantly, the Cougars went by way of it with out sustaining any season-ending accidents.
“We haven’t misplaced anyone for the season. And that’s loopy if you end up speaking about how a lot 11-on-11 soccer we've achieved, and we're going to proceed to do. We'll simply maintain working.” — BYU soccer coach Kalani Sitake
“We did good. We haven’t misplaced anyone for the season,” Sitake stated by way of Zoom. “And that’s loopy if you end up speaking about how a lot 11-on-11 soccer we've achieved, and we're going to proceed to do. We'll simply maintain working.”
That doesn’t imply the Cougars anticipate to have each participant on the present roster accessible once they journey to South Florida subsequent week to face the Bulls on Sept. 3 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. As camp broke Tuesday, Sitake stated preparations targeted on the opener will start Thursday.
“I'll in all probability have extra of an concept on who's going to be prepared for the sport subsequent week — on Monday,” Sitake stated, referring to the subsequent time he's scheduled to talk to the media. “Proper now, everyone is all in — of these which can be in camp.”
After all, the Cougars aren’t out of the woods but. Keep in mind the devastating information two years in the past, when star tight finish Matt Bushman ruptured his Achilles tendon a pair days earlier than the opener at Navy? However to this point, so good.
Receiver Gunner Romney and tight finish Dallin Holker have been restricted in camp by minor points, however each have stated they are going to be able to play by recreation time.
“We really feel like we've the proper items (for a profitable season),” Sitake stated. “We really feel like we're enjoying some chess with how we're working (in) this system, and we are going to see how a lot of a payoff there's on Sept. 3. I really feel actually good about the place we're headed.
“Clearly we did some issues within the offseason and did some issues by way of fall camp to regulate our schedule and permit our gamers to be bodily and get higher within the recreation of soccer, but in addition discover ourselves in the very best place to be wholesome,” Sitake continued. “And that's arduous if you end up enjoying violent soccer like we do.”
Sitake stated the Cougars are “sick of enjoying one another” and able to play someone else, however praised the chemistry and camaraderie that was developed in camp amongst all gamers. Tuesday’s scrimmage, he stated, was as a lot of a take a look at of his gamers’ wills as anything.
“I can see that these guys actually love one another and look after one another. They truthfully love being on the sphere,” he stated. “At present, they didn’t know what to anticipate. And we made it tougher than even a number of the coaches have been anticipating. There have been no complaints. The blokes responded the proper method. I simply needed to check them, to see if we acquired some complaints. The blokes needed to maintain enjoying; it's a good group.”
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake appears on throughout observe Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, in Provo.
Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photograph
Not quite a lot of information got here out of the scrimmage. Sitake stated that in contrast to the scrimmage final Saturday on the stadium, they did some situational stuff reminiscent of pink zone and two-minute drive work. He stated the offense and protection “went backwards and forwards” and didn’t declare a winner.
Neither did beginning quarterback Jaren Corridor in a phone interview with the Deseret Information.
“It was sort of like a scrimmage format, however at clearly a observe tempo — no hitting, no taking to the bottom,” Corridor stated. “I might simply say it was an excellent day total. The offense did quite a lot of good issues, the protection did quite a lot of good issues, so I believe we're nearly recreation prepared.”
Defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki confirmed what the Deseret Information reported Monday — that sophomore Ammon Hannemann has earned the beginning sturdy security spot. That was one of many few place battles in fall camp.
Hannemann stated he hadn’t seen something official but however was happy with how he carried out all through camp and once more on Tuesday.
“The offense will say they regarded higher, however the protection will say we regarded higher,” Hannemann stated of Tuesday’s scrimmage. “We each have quite a lot of delight, which is nice. However as a defensive participant, I gotta say the protection regarded higher.”
One other battle is at backup working again. Who can be RB2 behind Cal switch Chris Brooks?
Sixth-year senior Lopini Katoa appeared within the post-scrimmage information convention by way of Zoom and stated he’s pleased with how camp went for him. Katoa completed final season as BYU’s third-leading rusher with 61 carries for 242 yards and two touchdowns.
Miles Davis, who shined in final Saturday’s scrimmage, Jackson McChesney and Hinckley Ropati are additionally within the working for the backup working again spot.
Sitake stated the depth chart for the South Florida recreation can be launched Monday.
arduous at work 📸📸📸 pic.twitter.com/qZ5wqxsxGI
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) August 23, 2022