I’ve really seen it as kind of inconsistent on both sides. Consistency right now, as I think you’d expect (on) day four, is really where our focus is on, on both sides. – BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall
PROVO — With one full week of practices set to wrap up with a team scrimmage on Saturday, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall seeks to get a better grasp of where his team is currently. He also hopes to address some issues he's seen in time for the team's season opener against Nebraska on Sept. 5, namely the team's overall consistency.
“I’ve really seen it as kind of inconsistent on both sides,” Mendenhall said of his observations over four days of practices. “Consistency right now, as I think you’d expect (on) day four, is really where our focus is on, on both sides.”
Saturday's scrimmage will begin at 10:30 a.m. and be held at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The scrimmage is open to the public and the admission is free.
Mendenhall's specific goal for running the scrimmage will be, "Just to assess where our team is,” he said. “(I’m) not going to be any more specific than that. I’m just looking for a great indicator of where we’re at as a team.”
Defensive leaders emerging: Mendenhall mentioned that quarterback Taysom Hill is the unquestioned leader on offense, but that a definitive defensive leader has yet to be established.
“I think it’s emerging right now,” Mendenhall said the defensive leadership. “There're a number of leaders, (but) I don’t think there is a leader right now. Bronson (Kaufusi) would be one of them, Harvey Langi would be one of them, Kai Nacua would be one of them….and maybe Sae Tautu. It’s more by committee right now.”
Punt return options open: Punting has been worked on extensively through four days of practices. Punters Rhett Almond and Jonny Linehan continue to battle for the starting punter duties while several players have worked out as punt returners.
Players getting the primary looks at punt returning include receivers Devon Blackmon and Mitchell Juergens along with defensive back Eric Takenaka. For Mendenhall, he likes how Juergens and Takenaka secure the ball when fielding punts, but will further assess who provides the best overall production in terms of ball security mixed with the ability to gain the most yardage.
“To me it all starts with who can catch it,” Mendenhall said. “Right now (Juergens and Takenaka) are probably catching it most effectively and then we’ll see about yards after the catch after we determine who is back there.”
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney