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Provo • Thousands of BYU football fans are expected to show up at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday to watch the Cougars conduct their Blue/White Spring Game. Gates open at 10, and warmups begin at 11, with the game scheduled to start around 11:20 a.m.
Unfortunately, senior quarterback Jason Munns will be watching right along with the fans. This was supposed to have been one of those rare opportunities for the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Munns to finally show what he can do, but he still hasn't been cleared by doctors to get back out on the field after suffering a concussion during the first week of spring camp.
It is just the latest setback for Munns, once a highly recruited prep QB out of Kennewick, Wash., who looks as if he will go through his entire BYU career without ever taking a meaningful snap in a game.
"It's pretty disappointing," he said at Pro Day on Thursday. The concussion "happened three weeks ago, but I'm still having headaches."
How does a green jersey-wearing quarterback who is supposed to be off-limits to hitting suffer a concussion?
Munns said he dove to the ground to recover a bad snap (a recurring problem in camp) and his head collided with linebacker Uani Unga's knee.
"Just a fluke thing," he said.
A spring treat
The Blue/White Game is being held this weekend, instead of next weekend when camp concludes, so it does not conflict with the LDS Church's General Conference.
Prior to camp opening on March 4, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall was planning on a limited scrimmage, instead of a full-scale spring game, due to fears that there wouldn't be enough healthy linemen to conduct a game.
"We are more healthy, probably more healthy than we have been most springs, and have more numbers, and want to see more of what some of our younger guys can do in a live situation," Mendenhall explained. "So I don't know how many plays it will be yet. But [a game] will be the format, excluding special teams."
Usually, coaches are reticent to pit their first-string offense against their first-string defense in spring games, but BYU will do just that today, which should provide a more clear picture of how much Robert Anae's new offense has progressed the last few weeks.
"I am pleased with what I have seen so far," Mendenhall said. "Again, the intent will be to build, and to get a lot of guys experience, and a lot of guys playing time on Saturday."
Quarterback update
Munns' injury takes some of the mystery out of it, but it will be interesting to see who will be the second-team quarterback — sophomore Ammon Olsen or fast-rising juco transfer Christian Stewart, the walk-on from Snow College. Undoubtedly, sophomore Taysom Hill will get the nod as the first team's starter. Freshman Billy Green should also see some action.
"I see [many] quarterbacks playing. It doesn't mean they are going to be tackled. But yeah, I think they will [all] play," Mendenhall said.
With star receivers JD Falslev and Cody Hoffman still recovering from offseason surgery, look for sophomore Mitch Mathews and junior Brett Thompson to be frequent targets Saturday, along with tight ends Kaneakua Friel, Marcus Mathews and Devin Mahina.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Blue/White Spring Game
O Saturday, 11 a.m.
Where • LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Admission • Free
Also • Games and activities for children, including an Easter egg hunt, will begin at 9 a.m. at the track complex south of the stadium.