There are so many steps (forward) that we need to take, but I'm glad that we got to at least take a couple steps. But as a defense, we could be something special. – BYU linebacker Harvey Langi
PROVO — Defense ruled the day as BYU held its first scrimmage of the fall season, and the fourth practice open to fans this week, on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
In addition to collecting seven whistle-sacks, the Cougar defense got interceptions from linebacker Butch Pau'u and cornerback Michael Shelton while holding the offense in check. Linebackers Manoa Pikula and Harvey Langi led the way with four tackles apiece, and the defense held the offense to 71 rushing yards on 18 carries, a 3.9 per-carry average.
"What I learned today is defensively, the execution and assignments have taken a huge step forward in terms of preventing big plays and keeping points down," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said, noting that the offense had been able to capitalize on big plays during the first week of camp.

BYU's offense did have a few fireworks Saturday, including a 48-yard touchdown pass from Taysom Hill to Nick Kurtz in the latter portion of the scrimmage, though another long score — a 62-yard pass from Tanner Mangum to Colby Pearson — was wiped off the board by a holding penalty.
Hill completed 13-of-20 passes for 194 yards and the one touchdown, while Kurtz had three catches for 60 yards and the score and Terenn Houk caught three passes for 40 yards.
"There are so many steps (forward) that we need to take, but I'm glad that we got to at least take a couple steps," Langi said. "But as a defense, we could be something special."
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