PROVO — Freshman Ian Dulan, a starting defensive lineman for BYU, broke his right leg in Tuesday's practice and underwent surgery Tuesday night, according to head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Dulan was doing a regular skills drill when the mishap occurred. According to defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi, Dulan's toe caught on the turf. When his foot got hung up, it resulted in the fracture.
Many players didn't even know of the injury, including quarterback John Beck, who found out following practice.
"That's just crazy," Beck said.
Dulan is likely done for the season. It is unlikely he would play if the Cougars earn a bowl invitation.
"I'm still a little stunned over this," Mendenhall said. "We've been traveling nine defensive linemen and this means we're going to have eight.
"Ian had missed two games already due to injuries, but he was coming on and has made a great contribution on our defensive line. I'm not sure right now who will fill in and start. We have a lot of guys in the rotation. Just as when he was injured before, we've had guys come in and they've had to step up for us and that's what I expect will happen now."
Dulan, fresh out of high school in Hila, Hawaii, won a starting job shortly after two-a-days began in August. At 17, he is the youngest player on BYU's roster and received high praise from Mendenhall for his hustle and desire.
Dulan started BYU's first four games but missed the UNLV and San Diego State games. He has had seven tackles this season.
BECK'S BUCK: Senior quarterback John Beck bagged the first buck of his life Tuesday morning just outside of Scipio and made it back in time for team meetings and practice. He did pull his pickup truck to the Student Athlete Center and show teammates his kill.
"It's true what they say about buck fever," Beck said. "I watched him through my scope and had to sit down. My heart was pumping and I had to tell myself to calm down so I could get a clean shot."
Beck took one shot from his Browning .243 super shot rifle to hit the mark.
"My dad was with me and didn't think I hit it because of the way it took off running, but we tracked it and found it some 200 yards from where I shot it."
Wendell Beck prohibited his son from cleaning the deer, fearing he'd cut his hand.
"About 10 minutes into cleaning the deer, my dad cut his hand," Beck said.
'GET ACQUAINTED': Over the past few seasons when BYU and Air Force have played, some Falcon defensive players have thrown around some fun chatter, some of it centered on BYU's "old men." But one time, it was about Cougar Polynesian players, according to senior lineman Jake Kuresa.
"They kind of have a fun way of talking," Kuresa said. "I don't know if they have much background about Polynesians or not, but they must think we are these huge freaks that come over from the islands.
"I remember them saying to me and Fahu (Tahi), 'Why don't you go back to the islands, you huge freak.' "
Said Kuresa: "This year we've got a few more. There was no Sete Aulai last year, that's a big freak from an island, and then you have Ray Feinga and they'll see Manase Tonga and Fui Vakapuna. They'll all get acquainted really quick."
INJURY UPDATE: Senior running back Curtis Brown, who had 148 yards rushing against UNLV on Saturday, did not practice Tuesday and had a sleeve on his knee. "I'll be OK," he said. "I just strained my knee a little in the game. I should practice (today)."
Cougars on the air
BYU (5-2, 3-0) at Air Force (3-3, 3-1)
Saturday, noon
Falcon Stadium
TV: Versus
Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com