BYU Coach Makes It Clear QB Jaren Hall Wasn’t Healthy Against Notre Dame

PROVO, Utah – BYU quarterback Jaren Hall wasn’t his typical self in the 28-20 loss to Notre Dame. However, anyone watching that game knew that the second-year starting QB was out of rhythm in the first half.

Hall’s throwing shoulder was in question. He suffered the injury after taking the “hardest hit” of his BYU career in a win over Utah State on September 29.

Update on QB Jaren Hall from #BYU OC Aaron Roderick.

Roderick noted that Hall didn’t practice “really at all” leading up to the Notre Dame game.

Roderick continued, “Fortunately this week he hasn’t missed any reps.”#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/cqKQKg9Opn

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2022

Hall said after the Notre Dame loss, “contrary to popular belief, no shoulder injury, you know, felt good.” He also noted that he felt 100% against the Irish but acknowledged that “earlier in the week” was “a little different story.”

On Wednesday, BYU continued preparations for their homecoming matchup with 3-3 Arkansas at LaVell Edwards Stadium. BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick shed more insight into that story and what Hall has been going through.

Jaren Hall didn’t practice leading up to ND game; practicing this week

“I’m sure the word is out; he was banged up from the Utah State game and didn’t practice really at all last week,” said Roderick. “Then I thought, in the game, it definitely wasn’t his best game. He played like a guy who didn’t practice. You know, I think he still made some great plays that gave us a chance, especially in the second half. But, you know, practice reps are important.”

First off, another BYU-Utah State game has created an injury to a quarterback. The past decade has been one unfortunate injury after another for signal-callers in that rivalry. But that’s in the past. Moving forward, Hall is getting that valuable practice time in preparation for Arkansas.

“Fortunately, he hasn’t missed any reps this week,” Roderick said.

Hall was on The KSL Sports Zone on Tuesday and said he would be playing this week against the Hogs. “If I played last Saturday [against Notre Dame], I’m playing this Saturday [against Arkansas],” Hall said.

Did Roderick consider playing Jacob Conover?

Last season Hall missed games due to injuries that BYU coaches said he could have played in. But coaches had a lot of trust in then-backup QB Baylor Romney that they kept Hall out in some games to get him back to full strength. KSL Sports asked Roderick if there was any consideration last week to turn to this year’s No. 2 quarterback, Jacob Conover, against Notre Dame, knowing Hall wasn’t practicing.

“It didn’t really get to that point because [Hall] was adamant on playing. And then it was sort of up to us to decide if we were willing to play him without practice reps, you know, and I think he’s done enough good things for our program that we gave it a shot,” said the second-year OC. “I trusted him to play without practicing, which is rare. You don’t do that very often in college football, but he’s a special case in how much he’s played and how much he’s meant to our team.”

Conover hasn’t appeared in any games this season. Last year, the former four-star recruit stepped in for an injured Baylor Romney against Utah State and then played some snaps against Idaho State from the FCS ranks.

BYU vs Arkansas on Saturday

Hall has passed for 1,558 yards and completed 68.6% of his attempts this season. On the year, Hall has passed for 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions. In addition, he has a career-best 160.7 quarterback rating.

BYU versus Arkansas this Saturday in Provo kicks off at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN and KSL NewsRadio. Extended pregame coverage on KSL Radio begins at 9 a.m.

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.

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