LAS VEGAS – BYU quarterback Jaren Hall didn’t appear to be his usual self during the 28-20 loss to Notre Dame.
Hall finished the night 9-of-17 with 120 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He completed 53% of his passes. A far cry from how he typically plays.
Over the past four weeks, Hall was perfect in avoiding turnovers. On the first offensive play from scrimmage against the Irish, he tossed a pick that floated and didn’t have the velocity people have grown to expect from Hall this season.
#BYU QB Jaren Hall when asked about his health status: “Everybody’s dinged up, everybody has a thing. I felt 100%. Earlier in the week, a little different story. But tonight? Felt great.”#BYUvsND #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/YKFJsSn0xJ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022
Raising questions if Hall was playing through pain against Notre Dame.
Leading up to kickoff against Notre Dame, there were rumblings about Jaren Hall’s shoulder being an issue. Hall took a hard hit last week against Utah State that BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said was the hardest Hall has taken in his two years as the full-time starting quarterback. The fifth-year junior popped up from that hit last week and appeared to be rotating his shoulder.
Jaren Hall began phase two of warmups with throws to trainers while Dr. Mayne watched closely.
Now throwing to #BYU receivers.#BYUvsND #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/2vyqj3sxYt
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 8, 2022
During pregame warmups, Hall worked closely with BYU sports performance staffer Dr. Skylar Mayne.
Jaren Hall said he felt 100% during the Notre Dame game
But ultimately, Hall didn’t cite the pain he was dealing with as an excuse for how he played on Saturday night.
“Everybody’s dinged up, everyone has a thing. I felt 100%,” said Hall when asked by KSL Sports if he was dealing with any sort of pain during the Notre Dame loss. “Earlier in the week? A little bit different story. But tonight felt great.”
Hall was asked specifically about his shoulder during the postgame press conference at Allegiant Stadium. He said he has no shoulder injury.
“No, contrary to popular belief, no shoulder injury, you know, felt good,” said Hall.
During the second half of action, Hall and the BYU passing attack came alive as he connected with Kody Epps for a 53-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Then he found Epps again in the fourth for another 27-yard completion.
Kalani Sitake on Hall
Before Hall was at the postgame podium, BYU coach Kalani Sitake addressed the media after the loss, and when asked how much last week’s hit Hall took against Utah State impacted his ability to play at his best.
Kalani Sitake on Jaren Hall: “I don’t think he was 100% … He was definitely banged up.”#BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022
Sitake replied, “Yeah, I don’t think he was 100%. We had to look at all the decisions that we’re making and making sure our guys are in the right spot. He definitely was banged up. We have to go back and figure out what our game plan was and see what we can do. I thought he made some really good throws, especially in the second half. Let’s see how he feels after this. But we’re open to whatever is going to get our team in a better position to be successful and get a win.”
BYU falls to 4-2 overall on the season and now shifts its focus to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, October 15, at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN and KSL NewsRadio.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
