This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Provo • Five days later, BYU's offense apparently figured some things out.

Having been outplayed by the defense in last Saturday's scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the offense got it together on Thursday and showed much better, coach Kalani Sitake said.

The scrimmage was closed to the public and media.

"I think they are just starting to jell together, and we had a lot of install [before Saturday], so I think they are starting to settle in a little bit more," Sitake said. "And the [offensive] line is starting to work together. We had a bunch of different lineups at O-line and we were able to stay a little more consistent today. We had some good results."

Safety Micah Hannemann agreed with that assessment, but noted that in the 11-on-11 scrimmaging most of the first-string linebackers — guys such as Fred Warner and Francis Bernard — were held out.

"The offense looked like they had figured things out more today, and the defense was kind of slower, I guess," Hannemann said. "I mean, we didn't get to hit, which I was pretty bummed out about, because they didn't let us go full live. So I didn't get my fix in of hitting people. But that's OK."

Starting quarterback candidates Taysom Hill and Tanner Mangum divided the reps "50-50," according to Mangum, and the sophomore said both QBs directed long, sustained scoring drives.

"So that always feels good, to put plays together, to get first downs," Mangum said. "And just making sure we are putting points on the board. … That's good to have in practice."

Senior running back Jamaal Williams was held out, and receiver Nick Kurtz also didn't play, but said he is "getting closer" to returning from a fractured foot suffered in June. Sitake and Kurtz both said he should be ready for the opener on Sept. 3 against Arizona in Glendale, Ariz.

The offensive line was also without guards Tuni Kanuch, attending his grandmother's funeral, and Ului Lapuaho, who is nicked up but should return next week. Junior Tejan Koroma has reclaimed the starting center position from Parker Dawe, who is playing some guard and some center in camp.

"I thought we played pretty well," Hill said. "I was really happy with it. There are always going to be things to clean up, but overall enough guys did their assignments that we could move the ball and put some points on the board. … Guys understand their roles and their assignments a lot better, and execution has been a lot better."

So, which unit won the day?

"I don't know exactly," Sitake said. "It was pretty even."

Asked which of the two starting quarterbacks stood out, Sitake replied, "Taysom and Tanner stood out. Taysom and Tanner, and Tanner and Taysom, in that order."

It doesn't sound like there's been much separation, nor do coaches now believe that one guy will suddenly jump ahead of the other. Still, Sitake said the decision will be made shortly.

"It will be beneficial for us to have a starting quarterback announced as soon as we can, and hopefully we get that done in the next couple of days," Sitake said.

Offensive coordinator Ty Detmer said the Cougars worked the running game more on Thursday, so neither QB had a chance to really shine.

"They both had good days, though," Detmer said. "They are seeing it. I feel real comfortable with where their eyes are going, and they are both starting to understand it and get people lined up right. They are both doing great."

Sitake said coaches will examine the film closely this weekend and come up with a two-deep chart.

"When we take the field on Monday we will be solidified in most spots," he said.

The most open starting spot is probably at kicker, where nobody has been able to emerge. The candidates are James Beard, Rhett Almond, Jake Oldroyd and perhaps even an undisclosed player or two who are supposed to join the team when school starts.

"We have a number of guys [competing]," Sitake said. "Out of the four, I hope we get that figured out next week."

Twitter: @drewjay —

BYU scrimmage highlights

• Coach Kalani Sitake said the offense rebounded nicely from Saturday's mediocre showing.

• Senior Taysom Hill and sophomore Tanner Mangum divided the reps 50-50, according to both starting quarterback candidates.

• In the 11-on-11 scrimmaging, most of the projected starting linebackers were held out, as was senior running back Jamaal Williams.