The BYU Cougars defense has suffered a big loss, as head coach Kalani Sitake announced Monday that linebacker Keenan Pili will miss the remainder of the season after he tore his ACL last Saturday in the Cougars’ win over Arizona State.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake says LB Keenan Pili tore his ACL vs. ASU and is lost for the season. Tough break for Cougs.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) September 20, 2021
Not only is Pili a team captain, but the sophomore from Provo is also BYU’s leading tackler through three games with 31. The next closest player, fellow linebacker Payton Wilgar, has 19.
Pili also has 1.5 sacks.
Sitake says Keenan Pili will still be relied on for his leadership. But the news is tough -- Pili was leading the team in tackles. Big blow to the defense.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) September 20, 2021
Utah native Ben Bywater is now atop the depth chart at MIKE linebacker. Bywater, a redshirt freshman from Salt Lake City, is third on the team in tackles with 18.
Only a minor bump in the road - My brothers got a job to finish. Much love cougar nation ✊🏽 #9more pic.twitter.com/AftRJVYGHY
— Keenan Pili (@KeenanPili7) September 21, 2021