BYU football: Kariya, DiLuigi run hard for Cougars

NEW ORLEANS — In BYU's 54-3 destruction of Tulane Saturday, the Cougars featured a two-headed monster in its run attack — sophomores J.J. DiLuigi and Bryan Kariya.

BYU's coaches knew a size advantage on the line would enable the Cougars to run the ball up the gut and with junior star Harvey Unga nursing a hamstring injury, they'd feature these two youngsters.

This pair didn't look so young.

The bulk of BYU's 208 yards on 45 attempts came from DiLuigi (71 on 12 carries) and Kariya (63 on 12). The duo combined for three rushing touchdowns. Kariya added another score on a 12-yard reception.

Both praised their linemen and fullback Manase Tonga, who they described as a devastating blocking force out of the backfield.

"All the credit goes to the blockers," said DiLuigi, who got the first real action of his career in this game.

"Manase is unbelievable, and our offensive line did all the work," said Kariya, who, for the second straight game, made power plunges, delay draws and catches in the flats look easy. In other words, he did to Tulane what he did to Oklahoma.

"I've always tried to just run down hill," said Kariya. "I just try to turn up field and get as many yards as I can. I don't try and shake and bake much. I get what I can."

Running back coach Lance Reynolds said he ran Unga just enough to get him a taste at going full speed, then as his hamstring tightened up, they sat him down. Unga finished with 17 yards on 3 carries on Saturday. "He'll be ready for Florida State," said Reynolds.

"We love it when everyone gets to carry the ball," said Kariya who watched Tucker Lamb, Mike Hauge and Anthony Heimuli also see their first action of the year late in this blowout.

"We're trying to protect Harvey a little, get him enough but not injure him. We did that," said Reynolds.

"Bryan is a real intense guy that is a real sharp learning machine," said Reynolds.

"Everything you coach him to do, he does. Every mistake you correct, he corrects. If you're going to war, you definitely want him on your side. Because of all those things, it makes him a more effective player than everyone thought.

"He does a nice job. He is an effective runner in space and inside and he's very comfortable catching the ball. He's a smart guy and it makes it easier to game plan with a guy like that because he understands what you ask him to do."

e-mail: dharmon@desnews.com