BYU’s 28-17 win over Arizona gave the Cougars a first real look at how their rotation stacks up against FBS competition, and the snap counts told a sharper story than the box score alone. Through two games, BYU is already showing who it trusts most on both sides of the ball, and the list is starting to narrow.
On offense, the wide receiver rotation is beginning to tighten. BYU has leaned heavily on 12 personnel so far this season, with two tight ends and one running back on the field often enough to shape the entire pass-catching picture.
Jojo Phillips, Kyler Kasper, and Legend Glasker handled the bulk of the wide receiver snaps, while Reggie Frischknecht was the next man up and logged 15 snaps. That kind of usage suggests the Cougars are trimming the group down and leaning into a smaller core.
Tiger Bachmeier, meanwhile, barely saw the field. He played only two snaps on offense against Arizona, and against stronger competition, BYU appears set on keeping the rotation tight. That could still shift as the season goes on, especially since Fesi Sitake told BYU On SI after Fall Camp that the rotation could depend on the game plan.
The defensive side brought its own set of revealing numbers. Nusi Taumoepeau went from a handful of snaps in the opener to starting and playing 41 against Arizona.
He was dealing with issues at the end of Fall Camp and, in the opinion of this author, still doesn’t look fully healthy. Even so, he’s talented enough to remain a key piece for Kelly Poppinga.
Jayven Williams, the Mississippi State transfer, was another major part of the plan. He played 39 snaps and graded out as one of BYU’s top performers. The Cougars are rotating three cornerbacks right now, and Williams is firmly in that group.
Cannon DeVries kept building on his early-season momentum, too. He played 41 snaps at nickel and has already established himself as one of BYU’s better defenders this season. His role looks secure.
Not everyone saw the same kind of usage. Justin Kirkland, who transferred from Oklahoma State with expectations of a significant role, was on the field for just 13 snaps and posted the worst defensive grade on the team at 45.2. A knee injury disrupted his 2025 season, making 2026 his chance to take on a major role, but BYU has instead leaned on Bodie Schoonover and Viliami Po'uha, pairing them with quicker edge rushers.
Siale Esera played only three snaps before leaving with an injury and not returning. When he’s healthy, he remains a major part of the defense.
Tommy Prassas, on the other hand, never left the field. With BYU playing 67 defensive snaps, Prassas was out there for all 67 after Raider Damuni’s injury pushed him into the starting role. That kind of workload makes it clear how important he is right now.
Kennan Pula did not play at all after logging the most snaps of any BYU defender against Utah Tech. It may simply have been a matchup decision, as the Cougars may not have wanted to throw a true freshman into the mix against an experienced quarterback like Noah Fifita. His next chance could come against Colorado State, and he’s talented enough to challenge Tommy Prassas for playing time once he settles into the playbook.
Another defender making a move was Kendal Wall. He was one of the standouts in Fall Camp and has earned a place in the defensive end rotation. Against Arizona, he played 19 snaps off the bench.
In Other News...
BYU Backfield Suddenly Faces A Bigger Problem Than Fans Expected
BYUs updated depth chart for the Colorado State game brought more than the usual pregame housekeeping, and the changes in the backfield stood out immediately. Sione Moa is no longer listed after suffering torn MCL and PCL ligaments, a blow that reshapes the running back rotation just as the Cougars turn to their next conference test. The chart now puts true freshmen Journee Tonga and Devaughn Eka into the mix, while Preston Rex slides in as the primary backup behind LJ Martin.
Siale Esera also disappeared from the two-deep because of an injury, though he is expected to miss only the upcoming game rather than the season. For BYU, the bigger concern is how quickly the offense can settle a position group that suddenly looks thinner and younger than expected. With Colorado State up next, the Cougars are left sorting out both depth and durability in a spot where they could least afford a setback. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Win Over Arizona Turned On 3 Momentum-Swinging Moments
BYUs 28-17 win over Arizona was shaped by a handful of plays that kept flipping the tone of the game, and the Cougars were the ones who kept making the bigger responses when it mattered. A linebacker takeaway from Cade Uluave helped swing momentum back in BYUs favor, while Kyler Kaspers touchdown catch gave the offense a needed punch in a matchup that never stayed settled for long.
The other turning point came on a fourth-down stop that could have gone the wrong way if not for BYUs challenge, and the replay review ultimately upheld the Cougars stand. Put together, those moments gave BYU a workable cushion and kept Arizona from fully seizing control, which is exactly why this one felt less like a clean run and more like a game decided by a few high-leverage snaps. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Just Sent An Early Big 12 Message Fans Should Notice
BYUs first Big 12 league game in 2026 arrived with some early conference noise around it, and the Cougars handled their part of the spotlight by beating Arizona. In a Week 2 slate that also saw Oklahoma State knock off No. 6 Oregon, the result gave BYU an immediate foothold in a league that is still trying to define itself early in the season.
The bigger picture around the Big 12 made the win matter even more. The conference has gone 1-2 against the SEC in recent matchups and is just 4-5 against Power 4 opponents overall, so every solid nonconference and league result carries extra weight. BYUs start fits into that broader conversation, especially with Texas Techs win over Oregon State coming with some obvious issues still to sort out. [Read more 🡒]