Jernaro Gilford had no idea at the time, but when he picked off Utah’s Lance Rice late in the fourth quarter in 2001, he did much more than seal BYU’s come-from-behind victory. Gilford made an indelible impression on Bryan Kehl.
“I was a senior in high school sitting in the student-recruiting section. That play was iconic,” Kehl told the “Y’s Guys” podcast this week. “I got there the next year, and I just love that guy. He was such an incredible player and a great teammate. He is the best of the best.”
Decades later, Gilford is still making plays in the Cougars secondary — as the cornerbacks coach and newly promoted defensive passing game coordinator, and Kehl couldn’t be happier.
“He has maximized the output of the guys he’s had,” he said. “The way we have covered on the outside and at the back end is unprecedented. I would argue that we have never been so complete in our secondary, in coverage, tackling and (being) assignment sound and that is why they were so good last year.”
Spring expectations
BYU finished its 11-2 season tied with Texas for the most interceptions (22) and ranked No. 1 in total defense and scoring defense in the Big 12. With the bulk of the team returning, Kehl expects more of the same this fall.
“Last year, I was hoping for six wins and then they went through the roof. So now, my expectations are higher. I want more!” Kehl said. “The best programs compete every single year. Why can’t that be us? That’s how I’m wired. Who says it can’t be?”
Spring practice begins Feb. 27.
“When I played, it was always about the next step. What can I do to get better?” The former linebacker said about his approach to spring drills. “That’s what I hope those guys focus on, each individually and collectively. There is always room for improvement, especially individually.”
Kehl had 102 solo tackles, 21 tackles-for-loss and three interceptions at BYU (2002, 2005-07).
Super Bowl bummer
Watching the Giants beat the Patriots on Feb. 5, 2012 in Super Bowl XLVI was a painful sight for Kehl to see. New York’s 2008 fourth-round draft pick was released in 2011 and quickly signed by the lowly Rams.
“I still remember sitting at my parent’s house all by myself watching that game, just disgusted. There was jealousy, anger and resentment (with) all my buddies celebrating on the field,” Kehl said. “It was tough. Poor me. I was wallowing in my self-pity.”
Adding salt to his emotional wound was the fact that it wasn’t the first time the Giants won the Big Game without him.
“I missed (the Super Bowl) twice because (New York) won it the year before I got there and they won it the year after I left,” he said. “Impeccable timing.”
Pummeling Peterson
Kehl played 72 games over six seasons in the NFL (2008-13). Among his 95 solo tackles was a hit he will never forget. Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson took the handoff, and the Giants rookie stuck him in the backfield for a loss.
“He got up afterward and tapped me on the helmet and genuinely said, ‘Nice hit, man.’” Kehl said. “It was one of those moments that was like, ‘Whoa!’ It was just so cool. I was really impressed with that. He’s such a superstar and that interaction was cool.”
Peterson retired after 15 seasons and remains No. 5 among the NFL’s all-time leading rushers with 14,918 yards. He would have had a few more had Kehl not dropped him in the backfield in 2008.
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook