BYU Football Wraps Up ‘Give and Take’ Spring Scrimmage
BYU football concluded its first scrimmage of spring practices on Monday afternoon.
The scrimmage was held inside LaVell Edwards Stadium and, according to 10th-year head coach Kalani Sitake, featured about 90 plays.
“I thought it was a back-and-forth performance,” Sitake shared about the scrimmage. “The offense had its moments, and the defense had theirs. Overall, it was a balanced performance. We had around 90 plays, so that was a good amount of work.”
“We got to see players compete, which was the main focus. It was also good to get used to the feeling of a real game with referees and communication from the booth.”
Update on BYU Football Backup QB Competition
A major topic during spring practices has been the backup quarterback position. Sitake mentioned that redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead and redshirt junior Treyson Bourguet alternated reps with the second and third teams, while starter Jake Retzlaff handled all the snaps with the first-team offense.
“Right now, we can keep it balanced, but eventually, we’ll need to pick one to step up if something happens to Jake. We’re still working through it.
“When you look at all of spring ball and the 15 practices, it’s not about one scrimmage or practice. We’re seeing consistent improvement, which makes it difficult to choose.”
Hillstead has showcased his mobility, including a 60-yard touchdown run down the sideline two weeks ago. Bourguet, on the other hand, has displayed his arm strength with deep passes.
Despite these impressive moments, Sitake believes it’s still too early to determine a clear No. 2 behind Retzlaff.
“The truth will come when we see who earns the crucial backup reps in fall camp,” Sitake said. “That will be the player ready to step in if needed. You can always have a package for the third-string guy if necessary. The competition will carry into fall camp, and we’ll likely need to settle on a clear winner quickly. If someone stands out by the end of spring, we’ll make that decision.”
‘Give and Take’ Spring Scrimmage
Regarding Monday’s scrimmage, Sitake expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, especially as they enter the season as a possible preseason Top 25 squad.
“I think the guys did a great job. Honestly, I believe we’re further ahead than we’ve been,” Sitake said. “There’s still room for improvement, but I really like the way the players and coaches are working together.”
He later added, “I think it was a balanced performance overall. We’ve had scrimmages where one side dominates, and that can be frustrating. But when it’s balanced, you know where your weaknesses lie and can work to improve. With the number of snaps we got and the players out on the field, it should be a positive sign for us.”
BYU football will continue spring practices until March 29.
