Prep talk: Orange Lutheran's Jude Lee qualifies for U.S. Women's Open
The Stanford commit has qualified for the U.S. Women's Open, the biggest championship in women's golf.
She finished second in a qualifier at Soboba Springs Golf Course, earning her a spot in the tournament, which will be held May 29-June 1 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis.
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She competed last year in the Solheim Cup and helped the Lancers win a Southern Section Division 1 girls' golf championship. …
The championship game of the Boras Classic matching the baseball winners of the Southern California and Northern California divisions will take place at noon Saturday at the University of San Diego. Corona will play Stockton St. Mary's. …
League finals begin next week in track and field. …
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why whittling down QB1 battle from 3 to 2 was the right call
This article was first published in the Cougar Insiders newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each week. McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet and Bear Bachmeier will likely never forget the battle they've had this summer to replace departed Jake Retzlaff. The QB1 derby has forced all of them to meet the challenge and be better. A race is always good unless it goes on too long and nobody separates themselves from the other two. After the weekend, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick met with head coach Kalani Sitake and pass game coordinator/receivers coach Fesi Sitake and the decision was made to narrow reps to USU transfer Hillstead and true freshman and former Stanford commit Bachmeier. Then, Bachmeier took the majority of the reps as QB1. This is fascinating because it shows that this freshman, a four-star recruit with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame and Stanford, to name a few, has pushed the others hard enough that coaches must choose to go with experience (Hillstead) or evaluated raw talent (Bachmeier), who is higher on charts like Rivals and 247sports, that track those traits. In last Saturday's initial 100-play scrimmage, BYU's defense dominated and the offense misfired and looked sloppy, according to coaches. On the other hand, the offense had no turnovers, a primary goal by Roderick. Meanwhile, the preseason AP Poll released this week has BYU and Utah just outside of the top 25. Question of the week With Saturday's scrimmage challenged by 'sloppy' play by the offense, is this an area of concern for Aaron Roderick as he breaks in a new QB1? Jay Drew: Head coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick both mentioned sloppy, penalty-filled play by the offense in last Saturday's scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium. It might just be an anomaly. We will learn a lot more after the Cougars' next scrimmage. I've got a feeling that it could be a season-long issue. We've already seen some screw-ups and one bad snap in the media-viewing portions of fall camp practices. Without a seasoned, veteran quarterback, that's probably to be expected. But what happens when BYU's offense, and whichever QB gets the starting job, starts facing live bullets? Expectations are high for this offensive line after the way TJ Woods' unit performed last year. But don't forget that three key pieces are missing — Connor Pay, Caleb Etienne and Brayden Keim, and those guys won't be easy to replace. Not only were they dominant, but they mostly played mistake-free. If there are more reports of sloppiness and procedural penalties after the next scrimmage, it is probably time to hit the panic button. Dick Harmon: No school has passed for more college football yards than BYU. During that time, Cougar staff members have figured out how to get offenses in sync, develop quarterbacks, and protect them. Oh, there have been ups and downs. When you break in a new QB1, it takes time. I remember when Steve Young came in for Jim McMahon at Colorado. He struggled, but led BYU to a win. When Marc Wilson came in for Gifford Nielsen at CSU in 1979, he set an NCAA record with seven touchdown passes. We can remember Baylor Romney coming in and 'rising up.' Nobody can say Christian Stewart in for Taysom Hill was a failure. Just because one of 11 is gone doesn't mean a team defaults to failure. But a senior returning starting QB is huge. The sloppy play in the first scrimmage is concerning, but not unusual. Offenses must execute and timing and choreography is everything. Seeing an offense struggle early is simply football science. Hold off on the panic. Defenses are not as nuanced and can just tee off. I think some of BYU's offensive struggles in the first scrimmage was the result of just how good Jay Hill's defense is. Word is that tackle Keanu Tanevasa is exploding things up at the point of attack and that is leading to jitters. While we still have to see if offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick can elevate one of these three QBs as he did with Jaren Hall, Zach Wilson and Jake Retzlaff, he did make a curious statement Monday when he told reporters the offense was just where he wanted it to be. He praised the run game. BYU's offense will take its biggest step forward when it isn't auditioning three or even two QBs to be the starter. Once one of these guys is given the reins and gets 90% of the reps, the offense will find more continuity and chemistry from the line to the backs and receivers. Cougar tales BYU's defense, as expected, has taken early dominance in fall practice sessions as the offense held tryouts for QB1 and centered on execution. Here are our camp stories from the past few days: DB Beasley finds home on Provo campus (Jay Drew) Does the RB position lack depth? (Jay Drew) Coaches promise QB clarity soon (Jay Drew) Leadership surfacing for BYU football (Dick Harmon) QB role at BYU demands these things (Dave McCann) A-Rod: There's beginning of a separation (Jackson Payne) From the archives From the X-verse Extra points Breaking down scrimmage with Fesi Sitake (KSLsports) BYU most dissed team by AP voters (Jeff Fuller) Provo 5 for 5 in creating pro players (@BYUMBB) Fanalysts Comments from Deseret News readers: Enough of this. Let's play already. I am a little disappointed that after two weeks they haven't whittled it down to two yet. I find it hard to believe that at least two of the QBs haven't separated themselves by now. Reps with the first team are at a prime this close to the start of the season. — Valhalla I'm guessing the Bear is a lot better than the coaches realized. They thought Hillstead would distance himself quickly but the competition is very close. We could probably beat Portland State with the other freshman QB, but Stanford will be ready to blitz the heck out of whoever we play, but especially a freshman. — Up Next Aug. 14| 6 p.m. | soccer | @ Minnesota Aug. 18 | 7 p.m. | soccer | @ Cal Poly Aug. 23 | 3 p.m. | women's volleyball | @ Idaho State Aug. 23 | 7 p.m. | soccer | UCLA Aug. 29 | 12 p.m. | women's volleyball | FDU Aug. 30 | 6 p.m. | football | Portland State Sept. 6 | 8:15 p.m. | football |Stanford
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
If BYU goes with Bear Bachmeier as QB1 (as expected) it would be historic
It is expected that BYU will announce its starting quarterback this week. In my opinion, the Cougars will replace senior starter Jake Retzlaff, who transferred to Tulane, with true freshman Bear Bachmeier. It's a gamble. It's as rare as a bloody slab of sirloin steak. It's something BYU's quarterback factory, a system that's passed for more yards than any other college football program, is not used to doing. But these are times in the Big 12 when BYU must move forward and look to the future with a four-star recruit, a guy who signed with Stanford out of Murrieta High in California and had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan, Notre Dame and Stanford, to mention a few. You bring a recruit like Bachmeier to Provo with the carrot of competitive NIL money, and challengers McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet would need to rocket past him and make it clear to offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick that there was no other decision to be made but to pick one of them. Apparently, from practice reports and media availability sessions, that didn't happen. Instead, all of them had their moments, and Roderick and other coaches felt pressed to give Bachmeier first-team reps. Not all, but a significant number, more than a fair share. Bachmeier, the younger brother of former Boise State, Louisiana Tech and Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier, displayed an impressive ability to digest Roderick's complex offense. He makes solid reads, doesn't take sacks and had a lot of completions. And, more importantly in Roderick's schemes, he has the ability to make the QB run a threat and gain yards when plays break down. He has decent speed, but his size at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds provides him with an extra tool to break tackles at the point of attack. Meanwhile, Hillstead provides not only experience but sprinter speed. He can extend plays like Arizona's Noah Fifita and has the arm to complete deep passes accurately. He is BYU's best improviser to extend plays and gave BYU's defense fits as the prep team QB. Sources say Hillstead believes he was brought in to play and could help the Retzlaff departure situation. He has been in the program the longest and his maturity is valuable. Some liken it to several years ago when BYU kept an older and more mature Jaren Hall on a string while they propped up freshman Zach Wilson, who ultimately started over Hall en route to being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. There are plenty in Hillstead's corner, including those who covered him at Utah State, former BYU offensive coordinator Brandon Doman and Alpha Recruits owner Will Snowden, the former Cougar and father of Ute cornerback Smith Snowden. Hillstead's reputation among Utah prep experts is sterling and respected. At this stage of fall camp, Roderick and the offensive coaches must keep all quarterbacks engaged and challenged in a competitive atmosphere where they believe they can start, lead and win. There's always the draw of the transfer portal looming. You let all QBs get their beaks wet. Give them a taste. That's why many QB starters are not named until close to game week and the start of school. BYU begins fall classes Sept. 4. The other thought, according to sources, is that Roderick could start Bachmeier in the season opener against Portland State but bring in Hillstead after the first or second quarter, then evaluate what they saw and revisit their decisions for the Stanford game the following week. It would be easier to start Bachmeier and bring in Hillstead in relief if he stumbled badly. It would be a little tougher to start Hillstead, and if he stumbled, go to Bachmeier. That would be a lot of added pressure on the freshman. BYU saw this exact thing when freshman Jake Heaps replaced an older Riley Nelson. The time has come to give the BYU starting QB 90% of the reps and prepare for the opener. Could this happen on Monday? A big part of this QB dilemma is that all three candidates have faced perhaps the best defense they'll see this season. Jay Hill's side of the ball has been impressive. A great defense can retard the progression of an offense early, but can also become a strength because it eliminates a false sense of excellence. Historically, BYU has not had a true freshman quarterback start a season opener, which makes the potential for Bachmeier to do so in 2025 a significant milestone. While no true freshman has started the season opener, a few have played significant roles during their freshman seasons. In 2018, true freshman Wilson did not start the season but played in nine games, starting seven after taking over midseason. He completed 120 of 182 passes (65.9%) for 1,578 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns as BYU finished 7-6, including a 49-18 win over Western Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Wilson threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns in that bowl game. But remember, Wilson played an independent schedule in 2018, unlike the Big 12 slate that BYU's new starter will face in 2025. Max Hall, a redshirt freshman in 2007, started all 13 games for the Cougars but was not a true freshman. He threw for 3,848 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, leading BYU to a 10-2 regular season and 17-16 win over UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl. It's tough to see a true freshman rise up and lead a team to a double-digit season. It takes a tremendous talent, a lot of confidence and growth early and a good head. It also requires a team to have an outstanding defense to absorb QB mistakes and overcome possible bad field positions. Luckily for whoever starts, BYU could have a better defense than the one that led the Big 12 last season. A true freshman also needs an outstanding supporting cast, including an elite offensive line. It remains to be seen if BYU's O-line fits that utility. Here are four true freshmen who have started at the Power Four level in recent years. They succeeded because of all of the above factors. Their careers proved it in college and beyond. Trevor Lawrence (Clemson, 2018) Season results: Completed 259 of 397 passes (65.2%) for 3,280 yards, 30 touchdowns and four interceptions. Rushed for 177 yards and one touchdown. Led Clemson to a 15-0 record and the national championship, defeating Alabama 44-16. Impact: Lawrence's poise and arm talent made him an instant star, setting the stage for two more national title appearances and being the No. 1 overall NFL draft pick in 2021 just ahead of Wilson. Jake Fromm (Georgia, 2017) Season results: Completed 181 of 291 passes (62.2%) for 2,615 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Rushed for 55 yards and three touchdowns. Led Georgia to a 13-2 record, reaching the national championship game (lost to Alabama 26-23 in overtime). Impact: Fromm stepped in after Jacob Eason's injury and led Georgia to an SEC title and a near-national championship, showcasing remarkable poise. Dylan Raiola (Nebraska, 2024) Season results: As one of the only true freshmen to start Week 1 at a Power Four school in 2024, Raiola threw for 2,999 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading Nebraska to a 6-6 record and a bowl appearance. Impact: Raiola, a five-star recruit, brought stability to Nebraska's quarterback position and showed promise as a future star. JT Daniels (USC, 2018) Season Results: Completed 216 of 363 passes (59.5%) for 2,672 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Led USC to a 5-7 record, missing a bowl game. Impact: Despite a losing season, Daniels showed flashes of brilliance, becoming the first true freshman to start a season opener for USC since 2001. Could Bachmeier come in and complete 60% of his passes, approach 2,800 yards, deliver a dozen-plus touchdowns through the air and three or four on the ground with 300 or 400 yards rushing and have under 10 picks? If he does that, it would be impressive. If he starts and BYU gets eight wins, that would be a success. The success of true freshman quarterbacks is rare at the Power Four level due to the complexity of college offenses and the physical demands of the position. If BYU starts Bachmeier, and it appears it will happen, it would be historic in Provo. He has a great starting ramp with Portland State and Stanford at home before going to East Carolina, then the Big 12 opener at Colorado. Portland State is a great opener for a rookie. Stanford is rebuilding with a new staff and Bachmeier and his brother, receiver Tiger, fled that program to Provo. This is an intriguing situation. And a gutsy call for BYU coaches to make.
Washington Post
17 hours ago
- Washington Post
Stanford names Oregon State transfer Ben Gulbranson starting quarterback for season opener
STANFORD, Calif. — After spending most of his five seasons at Oregon State as a backup, Ben Gulbranson enters his final college season as the starting quarterback for Stanford. Gulbranson beat out Elijah Brown to earn the job starting, with the Cardinal's season opener under interim coach Frank Reich on Saturday at Hawaii.
