BYU heads into Saturday’s meeting with Arizona carrying a couple of early depth concerns, even as the Cougars get some important help back on defense.
The biggest question sits at running back, where Sione Moa’s status is uncertain after he left the Utah Tech game in the first half and did not return. Moa has already battled injuries in his first two seasons at BYU, and now he’s dealing with another one this year. He remains listed as the backup to LJ Martin on Monday’s depth chart, but there’s no clear answer yet on whether he’ll be available against the Wildcats.
Aaron Roderick offered a little reassurance on Coordinator’s Corner, saying the injury does not appear to be a long-term issue. “It looks like it's not super serious...it's not season-ending, I know that,” Roderick said. “As for when his return is, I'm not sure yet.”
If Moa can’t play, BYU does at least have some encouraging tape from the backs behind him. Preston Rex, who is listed third on the depth chart, would likely be the first man up and could slide into the backup role, with the Cougars leaning on a committee approach. Rex made his case against Utah Tech, finishing with 5 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
True freshman Journee Tonga also made an impact in limited work. He needed just two carries to turn in 38 rushing yards, including a 34-yard burst on his first career carry and a touchdown on the very next play.
Devaughn Eka added to the depth picture as well, leading BYU with 8 carries and 59 yards against the Trailblazers after getting a drive in the second half.
The secondary is dealing with its own adjustment, though not quite as much uncertainty. Raider Damuni will be out for an extended stretch after injuring himself against Utah Tech, but he is not done for the season.
Tommy Prassas has been moved into the starting job on Monday’s depth chart and is expected to handle most of the reps there. Behind him, true freshman Kennan Pula and redshirt sophomore Jarinn Kalama are both in the mix after playing a heavy share of snaps together in the second half last week.
There is some good news for BYU on the injury front, too. Star linebacker Isaiah Glasker is set to return in week two after sitting out week one for precautionary reasons.
The Cougars are also expected to start Nusi Taumoepeau, who was limited during fall camp because of injury. When he’s healthy, Taumoepeau is BYU’s best pass-rusher.
In Other News...
BYU Avoided Its Worst Fear But Still Has A Safety Problem
BYU got a scare in the opener against Utah Tech when safety Raider Damuni went down with a leg injury in the first half and had to be carried off the field. The good news is that an MRI confirmed the problem is not season-ending, which at least keeps the Cougars from losing one of their defensive veterans for the year.
Even so, the setback leaves a hole in a secondary that was counting on Damuni for senior leadership and steady play as conference action approaches. Backup Tommy Prassas is now expected to move into the starting role, and BYU will be watching closely to see how quickly the back end settles in without one of its most experienced safeties. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Heads Into Arizona With A New Defensive Problem
BYUs first road trip brings a fresh defensive wrinkle, and it arrives in the secondary. The Cougars released their depth chart for Arizona with starting strong safety Raider Damuni off the two-deep after the Week 1 injury that is expected to keep him out for multiple games, shifting the attention to how theyll sort out the back end while the season gets into its early stretch.
Tommy Prassas has moved into the starting strong safety spot, while true freshman Kennan Pula and Jarinn Kalama are also in the mix to help stabilize the position. There is some good news elsewhere on the defense, though, with edge rusher Nusi Taumoepeau promoted to starting field backer after recovering from injury, giving BYU at least one more experienced piece as it tries to answer one problem while managing another. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Already Has Two Early Reasons For Fans To Believe
BYUs season opener offered two different kinds of jolt, and both came from players who gave the Cougars something to feel good about beyond the final score. Returner Cannon DeVries earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors after taking a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, while wide receiver Legend Glasker was named Big 12 Freshman of the Week after a breakout debut that immediately put him on the league radar.
For a team trying to build momentum before Big 12 play starts against Arizona on Sept. 12, those are the kind of early developments that matter. DeVries showed how quickly special teams can flip a game, and Glaskers first college outing hinted at another playmaker the Cougars can lean on as the schedule stiffens and the stakes rise. [Read more 🡒]