I’m just excited for the opportunity. I’ve worked hard for a long time, I’ve been behind a lot of good linebackers. I’ve had a bunch of good examples and mentors, so I’m just excited to get out there. – BYU linebacker Sae Tautu
PROVO — For BYU junior linebacker Sae Tautu, he's seizing his opportunity to play a more central role within the defense this season. Coming off of maybe his best outing to date during last Saturday's win against Cincinnati, his role may become even more central moving forward.
“He’s just a big, physical kid and he’s playing really well right now, probably the best of all (the outside linebackers)," appraised outside linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga. "He’s probably not the prototypical BYU (outside linebacker.) He’s bigger. He doesn’t look flashy or fast, like the guys we’ve had in the past, but he knows how to get to the quarterback and he knows how to get pressure.”
Last week, against the Bearcats, Tautu tallied three solo tackles, two of which went for a loss, and two sacks. It was the type of numbers put forth from standout former linebackers such as Kyle Van Noy and Alani Fua, players the former Lone Peak star has played behind and learned from.
“I’m just excited for the opportunity,” Tautu said. “I’ve worked hard for a long time, I’ve been behind a lot of good linebackers. I’ve had a bunch of good examples and mentors, so I’m just excited to get out there.”
Stout defensive front: Adding to Tautu's excitement is the opportunity to play behind what looks to be the best Cougar defensive front in some time. Starting defensive linemen Tomasi Laulile, Travis Tuiloma and Bronson Kaufusi have seen the bulk of the work as of late, earning them praise from coaches.
“I think it’s three of the best defensive linemen we’ve had on the field in a really long time,” Poppinga said. “You’d probably have to go back to the 2012 year when we had Ziggy (Ansah), Romney Fuga and Russell Tialavea out there, but it’s been a while since we’ve had dynamic players, that are physical and strong.”
For Tautu, he's just happy to have all of them work to keep blockers off of him.
“It’s a lot of fun to play football when you’re coming free,” Tautu said. “With Travis in the middle our middle backers are always free and that allows the other guys to play on the edges, so…it makes a huge difference.”
Block assured: One of the turning points during last week's win against Cincinnati was when the Cougars blocked an attempted 58-yard field goal early in the contest. According to Poppinga, who also coaches special teams, his unit was fairly confident the attempt wouldn't come close.
“I knew we were going to block it, honestly,” Poppinga said. “We knew he had the leg to kick it, but typically when the ball is kicked past the 55-yard line, he has to get that ball out really low to get the distance on it that he wants.”
Travis Tuiloma was credited with the block, but coaches and players all believe that if Tuiloma didn't get it, someone behind him would, including receiver Mitch Mathews, who is part of the kick block unit on long field-goal attempts.
“The guy has like a 40-something inch vertical (leap) plus he’s 6-(foot)-6, has long arms, so if you watch the film, he gets up there,” Poppinga said about Mathews. “He does a really good job of lining up and seeing where the ball is going to be kicked. It’s been effective for us.”
Season-ending injuries: Defensive back/punt return specialist Garrett Juergens suffered a season-ending collarbone injury last Friday and was scheduled to undergo surgeryTuesday. Also, linebacker Rhett Sandlin suffered a neck sprain and is not expected to return this season.
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney