I’m not trying to make any excuses or anything, but we have a lot of young guys that are playing new positions. – Defensive back Skye PoVey
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Among the host of reasons for BYU’s defensive struggles this season is a lack of experience at various positions.
The Cougars lost a host of veteran contributors to graduation, including linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Spencer Hadley and Uani Unga; and safety Daniel Sorensen.
Meanwhile, Bronson Kaufusi was switched from defensive line to linebacker and he missed most of fall camp and much of the season due to injury. Alani Fua has been injured for weeks, giving way to true freshman Fred Warner. Harvey Langi, a recently returned missionary and converted running back, plays mike linebacker. Dallin Leavitt is in his first year starting at safety while Michael Davis is a first-year starter at cornerback.
“I’m not trying to make any excuses or anything, but we have a lot of young guys that are playing new positions,” said defensive back Skye PoVey. “Our defense is tough. Coach (Bronco) Mendenhall’s scheme is very complicated. I think a lot of guys are still trying to figure it out. I think we should get it together. … Us seniors need to help bring the other guys along.”
Manoa Pikula and Zac Stout are the only ones who have some experience at the inside linebacker positions.
“The whole thing is experience. Taking reps and taking snaps, practice time and game time,” said inside linebackers coach Paul Tidwell. “None of these guys have had that. Manoa had some last year. Zac had some before he came back (to BYU). Really, that’s it. They’re coming along. Hopefully they’re getting better with each rep.”
Tidwell said the players are working hard to get better.
“We’ve been giving them more meeting time and individual time on the field. That will help with learning their positions better. They’re doing better on their own, studying film and getting together as teammates. They’re watching film a lot more and studying more knowing their execution needs to improve.”
STAYING AT RUNNING BACK: BYU running backs Jamaal Williams, Algernon Brown, and Adam Hine have missed a lot of time due to injuries this season.
The Cougars happen to have one of the top prep running backs in Beehive State prep history on their defense — Harvey Langi.
But BYU coaches haven’t approached him about returning to that position.
“I love our running backs. Our running backs run hard. Every time I watch them run the ball, I’m like, oooooooooh,” Langi said. “If they lay someone out or truck someone or get those extra yards after contact, it just gives me butterflies. It’s something I’ve committed to the defense that I want to play linebacker. That’s what I’m going to give. Every time I see that, I get excited and I get happy for them. It’s in the back of my mind. I remember when I used to try to do that. Right now, I’m trying to focus on being with coach Tidwell and the linebackers.”
BIG-PLAY FRED: In the second half of BYU’s 55-30 loss at Boise State last Friday, Warner provided one of the bright spots for the Cougars with an impressive 20-yard interception return for a touchdown.
“Fred has come a long way. He’s made some really big plays,” said outside linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga. “He had a Kyle Van Noy-ish streak come out in him right there and a little instinct. He came out of his assignment a little bit but ended up getting a pick-six. You can’t get mad at a guy for that.”