While starter Fui Vakapuna works to return to form, the Cougar offense will get back junior Manase Tonga, who sat out the game against Arizona due to a suspension imposed by coach Bronco Mendenhall.

BYU running back coach Lance Reynolds said the return of Tonga will only make the rest of the backfield better at the Rose Bowl against a very tough and talented UCLA team.

"Manase is like an anchor for the entire backfield," said Reynolds. "He is our steadiness, our leader, our poise and simply our anchor back there. He makes everybody that much better."

Even Harvey Unga?

Yup.

Reynolds has a tough time holding back his expectations for the freshman, who he watched play with his sons Matt and Houston over the years.

"He's going to be special because he breaks tackles," Reynolds said. "Arizona is like Boston College. They are defensive teams that have great tacklers. Arizona comes out of the zone with tacklers who meet you and put you down, and they bring so many people up to help. It's hard to break tackles against Arizona, but he did it."

So, what gets Reynolds so excited about this rookie in the backfield?

"First, he's a gifted runner," said Reynolds. "Second, he's big. Lastly, he has a great feel and he can catch the ball. The combination of all three of those things makes him a very special player."

And, Harvey gets his uncles excited, if not his wily, seen-that-did-that old dad.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com