Final week of spring practice begins with strong effort Monday

PROVO, Utah – In its final week of spring ball, the BYU football program continued preparations for the 2013 season following Saturday's spring game in an outdoor session Monday afternoon. 

"Effort was strong today—a lot of great corrections to make from the scrimmage," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "We are pushing them really hard."

Following position drills and punting exercises, the team moved to a fast-tempo 7-on-7 session where wide receiver Skyler Ridley hauled in a 40-yard pass over a defender from quarterback Taysom Hill.

During practice-ending team 11-on-11 work, Hill led the only touchdown drive after marching down the field 98 yards. Running back Jamaal Williams ran up to middle for a gain of 10 yards before wide receiver Eric Thornton grabbed a 15-yard reception. Fellow receiver Brett Thompson made use of his athleticism and picked up 10 yards after pulling down a pass in heavy traffic. Wide out Mitch Mathews kept the drive alive on fourth down and followed it up with a one-handed catch for the 30-yard touchdown.

On the next series, quarterback Christian Stewart found receiver Taggart Krueger for a 30-yarder down the sideline but a pair of sacks by linebacker Toloa’i Ho Ching and defensive back Connor Noe halted the drive. The defense continued to make its mark on first and goal when defensive backs Cameron Comer and Michael Wadsworth came up with big plays. Comer recorded a pass breakup in the end zone before Wadsworth ended the drive with an interception.

After reviewing film on Saturday's Spring Game, Mendenhall noted the emerging play of inside linebacker Tyler Beck and outside linebacker Alani Fua. He said offensive tempo continues to be good while offensive execution is a little ahead of where he thought it might have been.  

An MRI Monday of quarterback Ammon Olsen's knee revealed a bone contusion and PCL injury that won't require surgery. He is expected to be back playing in four weeks.

Spring practice continues Wednesday before concluding on Friday with Alumni Day.