Former BYU Quarterback Taysom Hill Gives Saints a Spark in 36-7 Preseason Rout of Chargers

Taysom Hill did it all Saturday in the Saints win over the Chargers.

Alvin Kamara ran for a 2-yard touchdown, and the New Orleans Saints capped a productive week in Southern California with a 36-7 preseason win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees was 7 of 9 for 59 yards with an interception in three series, while Philip Rivers was 5 of 7 for 29 yards in a brief tuneup appearance for the Chargers.

New Orleans did not get its initial first down until late in the first quarter when third-string quarterback and special teams contributor Taysom Hill, a former BYU standout, moved the chains by running a direct snap on a fake punt around the left side. That helped set up Kamara’s short touchdown plunge seven plays later. The Saints took an 8-7 lead on a 2-point pass from Brees to Michael Thomas, the last throw Brees would make before giving way to Tom Savage.

Wil Lutz kicked field goals of 25 and 35 yards in the final two minutes of the first half, and Hill scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion on a keeper late in the third quarter. Cornerback Marcus Williams (not to be confused with starting safety Marcus Williams from the University of Utah) added a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown, which came seven plays after a pass interference penalty against Williams negated a ricochet TD return by linebacker Craig Robertson.

Hill finished with six carries for 35 yards and a touchdown and completed 7 of 8 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Hill also ran in a 2-point conversion.

✅4th down conversion on fake punt
✅special teams tackle
✅rushing touchdown
✅two point conversion
✅touchdown pass

Taysom Hill did it all Saturday in the #Saints win over the Chargers #BYU pic.twitter.com/1BE3GhTJ4o

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) August 27, 2018