From Deseret News archives:
Throwbacks: Cougar have a stable full of big, bruising running backs
They're a throwback to the likes of Lakei and Hema Heimuli, Reno Mahe, Casey Tiamalu and Peter Tuipolutu. While none are sprinters, they all are capable of making huge plays. And they are competitive to the core. Meet the Cougar backfield, led by 240-pound Fui Vakapuna, 235-pound Manase Tonga, 221-pound Harvey Unga, 222-pound Wayne Latu and Joe Semanoff. Pound for pound, they may be the most athletic players on BYU's team outside of the corps of linebackers.
Most could play linebacker.
"We believe we will be able to move the ball this season," said Tonga. "Behind this great offensive line, we will make a lot of plays, and do it against anybody, not just in league play."
Vakapuna, who turned a lot of heads a year ago, agreed. "You saw it in the first scrimmage. We are an offense that can spread it out on a defense, and we can bring everybody down and run it. We're playing it safe right now, but when the hitting starts, it will be a different story.
Tonga has averaged 4.6 yards a carry in two seasons playing in the shadow of all-time rushing leader Curtis Brown.
Vakapuna, Tonga, Unga and Latu are sons of men who grew up playing rugby on the south Pacific Island of Tonga. They like the idea of physical play and their role in it. "It's just smash mouth football, "said Vakapuna. "I think that is what the coaches are thinking about."
The newest face in the bunch is Unga, an all-state runner at Timpview High two years ago, who enters his freshman season after redshirting a year ago due to a hip ailment. He waited a year before enrolling at BYU after leading the Thunderbirds to a 4A title in 2004.
He committed to Utah, then switched to BYU when running back coach Lance Reynolds decided to stay after missing out on the head coaching job vacated by Gary Crowton after the 2004 season.
In BYU's first scrimmage, people saw what Cougar coaches and teammates already learned about Unga: he's big, fast, can catch and make plays such as the 63-yard catch and run he ripped off.
Unga has sat and watched his counterparts the past two seasons.
Recent comments
Vern, woooooww, GOOD ONE!! STUB..How clever, golly, you are one smart...
STUD | Aug. 20, 2007 at 10:32 a.m.
hey vern, how is ernest? What's with the personal attacks?? worried...
AKCoug | Aug. 19, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
Ok ok - STUB oops I mean STUD - why don't you just get a life and...
Vern Rogers | Aug. 18, 2007 at 4:28 p.m.
- CSU bans guns on campus 12:51 p.m.
- C.J. Miles will play, won't start 12:49 p.m.
- Cuba-U.S. migration talks delayed 12:39 p.m.
- Stocks trade mixed 12:35 p.m.
- Death penalty possible in slayings 12:15 p.m.
- Senators seek cost controls 12:07 p.m.
- 'Slight' Games impact on Vancouver 11:54 a.m.
- Nadal cruises, Spain leads Czechs 11:52 a.m.
- U.S. looks to expand drone attacks 11:52 a.m.
- Tiger, alleged mistress keep quiet 11:50 a.m.
- Mr. Football 2009: Tuni Kanuch
- Harpring's NBA career is over
- Miller predicted Tiger's rough road
- Phoenix signs off on LDS temple
- MVPs wrap up stellar prep careers
- 5A high school football All-State
- Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
- Utah Jazz going green with unis
- Jazz: Miles, Kirilenko to play Friday
- 4A high school football: All-State
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
407 - Max Hall issues apology
393 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
362 - Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
288 - Utes won't respond to Hall
278 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
247 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
228 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
188 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
175 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
174
Harvey Unga's future seems to be a hot talking point among fans so let's...
The publicity over Max Hall's "hate" rant against Utah, last weekend,...
Some Ute fans might be wringing their hands over still another loss,...
"Daddy, how come we didn't beat BYU and they've won 3 of the last 4 against...
Guilty on too many levels. Lock him up in solitary. Check back next...
Compare Obama to Bush who did nothing but let the Mitt Romneys of America...
Family and friends of Mr. Jones will please accept the regrets of the...
Hatuletoh, you made me laugh. you start with "Enough with the...
K so tons of people have commented on how BYU is a young team and will only...
You should sign-up for English Comp.101.Also, Fox News is way to high brow...
Have you been to USU? "BYU is far better...definitely in the area of personal...
USA has England, Slovenia and Algeria. The US should make it to the 2nd...
Anonymous 11:27 - Do you have any evidence that "similar great miracles"...



