Offense takes the lead: Cougar offense shines during the first scrimmage of fall camp
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- BYU linebacker Ace Kaufusi goes through warmups with his teammates prior to a scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium. August 15, 2026
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- BYU’s Preston Rex avoids tacklers while running for a good gain during his team’s scrimmage. August 15, 2026
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- BYU receiver Reggie Frischknecht runs for yardage downfield after an impressive catch during his team’s scrimmage. August 15, 2026
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- BYU freshman DeVaughn Eka runs down the sideline during a team scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium. August 15, 2026
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- BYU kicker Brody Laga attempts a field goal during a team scrimmage. August 15, 2026
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- BYU linebacker Cade Uluave just prior to the snap of the football during a team scrimmage. August 15, 2026
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- BYU receiver Kyler Kasper snares in a pass during a team scrimmage. August 15, 2026
The first fall camp scrimmage was won by the offense, at least in the view of Coach Kalani Sitake, who began his post-scrimmage recap to the media on Saturday praising the returns shown by the Cougar offense during the 102-play scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
“I saw some really good things from the offense, and some really good things from the receiving corps,” Sitake said. “The guys that I said to you before that probably weren’t common names showed up today with our receivers, our tight ends, and running backs had a pretty good day running the ball, too.”
Receivers rising to the forefront were Reggie Frischknecht, who caught two touchdown passes on the day, along with Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper, who had another. Slinging them the ball was Bear Bachmeier, who received around half of the snaps on Saturday, with Treyson Bourguet and Enoch Watson splitting reps behind Bear.
“I thought Bear did a great job with the offense and just pleased with the way he led the team and led the offense today,” Sitake appraised. “And then some really good things from Treyson too, and also from Enoch. So overall, I thought offensively did some really good things.”
The demeanor displayed by both Bachmeier and starting center Bruce Mitchell seemed to confirm Sitake’s assessment. Both players were noticeably upbeat in addressing the media.
“We were geling pretty well on offense,” Bachmeier said. “It’s a great deal when you got a great offense and a great defense going at it, but yeah, I thought we had the upper hand today. Bruce played really well and I thought all the guys were geling and we were just in a great rhythm.”
“I think we played really well today. I think we’re expected to,” Mitchell added. “We got a lot of guys returning, and a lot of experience. So it was good to be back in LaVell and work on that chemistry, making sure we got five guys on the same page.”
Overall Sitake liked what he saw from his offensive front, which often works as the main catalyst for any positive gains for the offense.
“I thought offensive line was really physical today, and you know, probably got some knockback on our on our defensive line,” he said. “But defensive line answered, so it’s a back and forth. But usually at this stage, offense is further ahead. I would say they probably had a good day today, but defense has had some amazing moments during camp.”
In turn there was Cal transfer linebacker Cade Uluave who addressed the media right after both Bachmeier and Mitchell. Uluave, who is expected to start at middle linebacker for the Cougars this season, was a bit more dour when addressing what he saw from himself and his defensive teammates during the scrimmage.
“The offense, they played they played extremely well,” Uluave admitted. ” … Credit to them … But I think … football is a sport where everyone has to do their job and do their 1/11th, and especially when we play a good offense like our offense that we have, if someone’s not doing their job, we’re going to get exposed. The offense is going to find that. So, I think for us (the goal is) just making sure everyone does their job.”
“Defensively, I think we might have had a few errors that were like bad missed assignments, but for the most part, in all the plays there,” Sitake added. “I thought they were pretty clean. So with that being said, they’re going to make it really hard for offenses to have big plays, but our offense did get some big plays.”
Sitake also had some positive words about his running backs, beginning with converted defensive back Preston Rex, who was a standout.
“Preston Rex had a pretty good day today. Same with Siona Moa … (he) did some really good things. LJ was held mostly to the thud part of the practice, but Devuaghn Eka did a great job today. I thought he showed his speed and his athleticism. .. But I think that has a lot to do with the O-line and tight ends and receivers blocking downfield. The O-line especially, (was) really physical in all three groups with our ones, twos, and threes.”
BYU resumes practices on Monday with the hope that the defense bounces back with the ideal, in every coach’s perspective, is to witness a good back-and-forth between units with every practice session.
