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BYU football: Afutiti ends juco red tape

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Welcome Bernard | 6:49 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Looking forward to seeing you on the field at LES.

Hans Backer | 7:16 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Dick...where did you REALLY get this material? Always give credit to your source.

Go Cougs | 7:40 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

It's great to have this animal in Provo. He should turn some heads and maybe knock a few off.

Comments continue below

Difference | 7:57 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

This is one of the reasons BYU is dominating the u of u. This guy has a motor, motivation, and a can do attitude. The utah guy is sitting around waiting for somebody else to do it for him. That's why Harline and Collie are still open. The guys who were suppose to cover them are waiting for somebody else to do it.

Anonymous | 8:12 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

This makes me wonder who's best interest those educators at Junior College have in mind? Just get the grades out so that their students can move on!

Phil | 8:53 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Same problem with JuCo's for Academic transfers in Washington State. Gives a student opportunity to miss Scholarships and classes.

Best bet is to be there in person.

P-1 | 8:54 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Wow This seems like ti is word for word from Hans Olsen of of 1280 the zone. He has been talking this guy up for weeks, maybe Harmon should have listed him as a reference

Bryan | 8:55 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

When this guy lines up on opposing teams before the snap, he simply closes his eyes, and imagines them as education beurocrats and secretaries at Junior Colleges, and it geets him FURIOUS! He is ready to let loose and POUND THEM like a reception desk! ArGGGHHHH!!!

Woah.

Anonymous | 9:18 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Dick, you're only writing about this guy because Hans Olsen pointed him out to you. He'll be great!

glad we got him | 9:24 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I'm glad Bernard came to BYU instead of running off to a PAC-10 school the minute they showed interest like some others have done who originally said they were going to BYU. Guys like Afutiti will help take BYU to the next level and keep us there.

Pushing Dulan | 10:00 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Hopefully Bernard will push Dulan to work to his potential. Mendenhall sounded like he was dissapointed in Dulan's work ethic lately. Nothing makes a player better than serious competition and it has not always been great at BYU. Usually we have very strong starters but not a ton of competition and some spots - especially when some of the competition may be just off missions and are still a season a way from being ready to push for that spot. The D-line is really looking like it will round into being our strength. I imagine those trench battles are something to watch in practice with such solid d and o-lines.

News Hound | 10:14 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Why do so many Ute trolls respond to Dick's articles? They should find something else to do. Maybe they need counsoling. I'm glad to see this D-lineman in camp. I can't wait to see him on the field.

His Eligibility? | 10:18 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

He is listed as a junior. He graduated in 05' and played last season at the JC. What happened in 06'? Why is he not coming in as a Sophomore with what appears as only one season playing time? If he sat out somewhere in 06' I would have hoped he got a redshirt but his bio says nothing about 06'. Love to see him have 3 years rather than 2 especially since he will probably not be at full potential for a few weeks and he has some good players in front of him.

Gretzky | 11:01 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Gaskins is the backup it was announced today. seems like there is good news every day at Cougar Camp.
looking forward to the NI game. hope the boys come to play as much as i come to cheer. look for the travelin cheeseheads in cognito as well. outstanding. Go Cougars!!!

Wisdom | 11:03 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

It appears that the weak spot on the defensive front is at middle linebacker. If this guy is so fast, why isn't anyone proposing that he become a middle linebacker. He is big enough to fill up the middle and fast enough to roam sideline to sideline. Eliminate the weak spot, leave Dulan alone, and get this guy on the field for every down.

Re: Difference | 11:02 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Wow, there is some BYU fan telling us all what the "utah guy" is doing while waiting for his grades to be posted. I'm sure that you know all the little details about what Aiona Key has or hasn't done to get things through, right? Here's a guy sitting at work posting comments on an article, wasting his employer's time and wasting my time.

I am close to the situation (work in the Athletic Department at the U) and happen to know that the teacher that hasn't posted Key's grade is in Europe. Afutiti didn't do anything special and didn't have to hunt down a rogue teacher. Really what you wanted to do is somehow work in the phrase that Harline and Collie are still open...original material might I add.

I hope BYU does well this year. I hope Utah does better. I agree with K. Hebstreit of ESPN that the "next Utah" and the "next Boise State" is Utah and Boise State, because they are good teams this year. Let the other BCS pretenders earn their stripes (a la BYU).

The Zone Crybabies | 11:20 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I appreciated the article. Not everyone listens to the Zone, and important players should be covered, regardless of who "discovered" them, IMHO.

Re: News Hound | 11:33 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

"Why do so many Ute trolls respond to Dick's articles?"

Because they aren't really Utah fans, they're just BYU haters.

If you want to see the true Utah fans, go to RES when the Utes are playing Colorado State or San Diego State.

RE-News Hound | 11:41 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Why do so many Byu trolls respond to Utah/ articles? They should find something else to do. Maybe they need counseling. I think it goes both ways..

Go UTES!!!!

Re: Wisdom | 12:09 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

The middle linebacker calls the defensive plays. Would you really want a player who has only had a couple of weeks to learn the system to be calling the defensive plays?

USO | 12:32 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Can't wait to see Bernard aka BIG "T" on that feild this year.

News Hound redux | 12:34 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

"Why do so many Byu trolls respond to Utah/ articles?"

Because most of the BYU "trolls" are true BYU football fans and are interested in EVERYTHING associated with BYU football, including, most especially, their chief rival.

Dozens of BYU football fans have already bought Utah season tickets (in addition to their BYU season tickets) just so they will be guaranteed a seat at the Utah game in RES.

I was sitting in the middle of the Crimson Club for Beck-to-Harline 2006.

Some Utah fans are going to be in for a bit of a shock at the number of Cougar fans who will be at the game November 22nd.

Get a Life! | 12:43 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I am a huge football fan but after living in this state for two decades I am so tired of the BYU vs. U of U fan bickering. Grow up folks. It is a game. Who cares. Have fun watching the game and then get over it - win or lose. I was talking with the boys in the neighborhood the other day about a two-time super bowl champion who retired less than ten years ago. They had no clue who he was. That shows you that there is no lasting impact from this and all you are doing is wagging your big mouths and annoying the rest of us. Get a life and get on with it!

Didn't Hans | 12:49 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Olsen point out Afutiti to you, Dick?

Where's the credit due poor Hans? ;)

Ute Trolls | 12:51 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I'm a Ute fan and read all the football articles, whether they be about Utah, BYU, Utah State, etc. I just can't wait for the football season to get here and reading up on all I can during the last couple weeks is how I pass the time. FYI, BYU fans are posting over on the Utah articles too....this isn't a one team thing. I love football and want to know as much as I can about all teams, especially the ones the Utes are going to play.

It should be a heck of a year for both teams..hopefully. In the end, I hope Utah is better though.

Middle Linebacker? | 1:08 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I think this article is saying he is fast - for a defensive lineman. That may not mean he has sideline to sideline linebacker speed. I am guessing Doman and Bauman are considerably faster than he is. You usually see safeties or TEs moving to linebacker not d-linemen (note the recent Sorensen move). I think we will see Pendelton move to linebacker before one of our big 280 pound d-linemen.

jobe | 1:10 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Does BYU have councelors and tutors for these guys? Seems like someone should be there prior to their JC semester and make sure their academics are in order and grades are posted before staff disapears. I heard about one JC transfer who was having academic concerns at BYU and transfered to Oklahoma State and had no more academic concerns. Also a player by the name of Tonga who at the end of Spring semester was determined ineligable. Why does BYU not have people working with these athletes to keep them eligable? I can understand and fully support having strong behavior restrictions at BYU, but cannot understand having more difficult academic requirements than BCS schools, where many of the people BYU recruits have outstanding charictor but are not as academically able. I can see why those two or three four star recruits who were committed to BYU ended up signing with USC and Oregon and earlier with Tenn and Ore.

Honor Code | 1:23 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I am concerned with the quote on page 2:

On the Utes' Key, Afutiti hopes he gets in camp soon.

"He's a hell of a receiver and I look forward to playing against him. He may have a few more things to do than I did, but he should get it done."

Bronco, to my office now, we need to address this.

Re: Didn't Hans | 1:36 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

What's your problem. Did Dick Harmon step on you pet hamster?

Get over your hatred. It's not healthy.

Michael | 1:59 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I love college football, I will read and comment on any college football team in the state.

re 11:33am: Attendance smack is week, it is a simple matter of arithmatic.

Re: jobe | 2:12 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

BYU has an entire staff of academic counselors and tutors, but they aren't babysitters. Nobody is going to walk players like Tonga to class or force them to do their homework.

You can't name a single BCS or non-BCS school that doesn't have some athletes who are having academic problems. You can cherry pick individual exceptions, but overall, BYU athletes are more successful than most of the BCS schools.

NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) data submitted by the institution for the 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07 academic years.

Football Bowl Subdivision 936

Tennesse 948
USC 948
BYU 946
Utah 944
UCLA 941
Okla St 935
Oregon 921

BCS bottom 10 in football:
1. Arizona 902
2. Washington State 916
3. South Florida 917
4. Kansas 919
5. Purdue 920
6 (tie). Oregon 921
6 (tie). South Carolina 921
8. Mississippi State 924
9 (tie). Michigan State 926
9 (tie). Oregon State 926

Cougar4 | 2:33 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Utes spend way to much time posting on Y articles. It's like this, 40 Ute posters on Y articles to 5 Y posters on U articles.

The ONLY thing that drives utah fans in Y hatred, certainly they don't love their team.

Mr. I work in the atheltic department (picking up towells I'm sure, no administrator would write a post like that, or even take time to do it) BYU earned it's stripes, National Championship, Bowl Series busters, c'mon you want us to do everything. About time you guys got into the act. We'll do it this year. Your offense is falling all over itself. True to form, you'll pick up speed half way through the season.

Do more than admire your new uniforms, the ride is over when Johnson leaves.

LDS/BYU Convert | 4:02 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Get A Life!
Amen brother! I am a transplant from California, grew up around PAC8 football and had never seen & heard things like what goes on hear between BYU & Ute fans either. The problem is that it goes way deeper than football and that's the problem.

I LOVE HANS | 4:23 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I knew insight like this could only come from Hans Olsen. He is the only guy that has played the game in the market, good job Hans and great article Dick.

Re: Cougar4 | 4:49 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

It doesn't matter where I work in the Atheltic Dpt. of the U...I have insight that you lonely fans will never have. BYU hasn't earned any national stripes, as you put it. Here's a list of what you've done:

National Championship = most debated championship ever and reason BCS system was created.

Heisman Winner = NFL backup that rarely saw playing time on the field. Career backup.

Doak Walker Winner = last seen working at a cell phone store selling cell phone trinkets in a mall. Never able to make an NFL team.

Congrats!!! I'm sure you are real proud. All of the BCS haters can thank your 1984 joke of a championship team for the mess that now is the BCS!

re: Chris Hill (I guessd right) | 6:11 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

"It doesn't matter where I work in the Atheltic Dpt. of the U",

OK, I'll take your word for it. If you work in an area that knows anything about sports, you would know things, like...

"National Championship = most debated championship ever and reason BCS system was created."

...because the Large Conferences wanted to keep the pie to themselves. Most debated because BYU earned it, and it could not be denied them.

"Heisman Winner = NFL backup that rarely saw playing time on the field. Career backup."

Ty played 14 years in the NFL. The Heisman, however is earned for college play, not NFL. Ty set 59 NCAA records during career at BYU, including most touchdown passes (121), most yards passing (15,031), most completions (958), most attempts (1,530) and most yards total offense (14,653)ï¿½Earned Heisman Trophy after throwing for 5,188 yards and 41 touchdowns as juniorï¿½Passed for 4,031 yards and 35 touchdowns as a seniorï¿½Also received Maxwell Award as nationï¿½s top college football player and Davey Oï¿½Brien Award as countryï¿½s top quarterback after junior campaignï¿½Established NCAA record with 12 consecutive 300-yard passing games during junior season.

"Doak Walker Winner"

Got hurt, it happens...

Don't hate, just cause you aint...

Hey Mr. Athletic Dept. | 6:14 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Now I know for sure you'e a towell boy! Great post, full of spite. I've NEVER seen a Heisman winner from Utah or a Doak Walker winner or a National Championship! Oh there you go, your team beat a lowly- in- a- BSC- game- by -default, Pittsburg. Kudos dude, you got us.

Enjoy your time at stepping stone U. Don't forget to empty the garbage cans.

re: Re: Cougar4 | 4:49 p.m | 6:26 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Dear University of Utah Athletic Director,

Your insight is truely from a magnificant view.

But to say BYU hasn't earned any national stripes is sort of silly, now, isn't it. Let's see if your insight can help you guess which team from Utah this is.

Which team in the nation has the longest winning streak, which team has run the table in the MWC the past two years, which team is ranked in the top 20, AP, Coaches Poll and ESPN, which quarterback played through a 3rd degree shoulder seperation, which team sells out the stadium, which team won the past two years at both stadiums? Which team has won the National Championship title and finished the season ranked #1, which team has the players that earned the Heisman, 4 Davey O'Brien Awards, 2 Outland Trophies, a Doak Walker Award, and a Maxwell Award and wich team has not-- ZERO, ZILTCH, NADA (hint: Utah State has at least one, an Outland Trophy)(Hint #2 and 3: Beck to Harline -- 4th and 18)?

Any guesses???

I'd tell you, but I'm not going to. However, I'll bet you will be surprised to find out that it's not the University of Utah...

re:U of U waterboy | 7:39 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

"National Championship = most debated championship ever and reason BCS system was created."

As quoted from the movie "Waterboy" (you know, about Athletic Department insiders with insight).

"Lynn Swann: You gonna add another championship trophy to the old case downstairs?

Coach Red Beaulieu: That's kinda like my old man told me one time, Lynn. The only thing better than a crawfish dinner, is five crawfish dinners."

Tell us again about the "Mythical BCS Buster Trophy". It wasn't ever debated, because it wasn't a trophy. Pitt wasn't even a team that year.

I wonder if BYU will add another trophy to the old case downstairs?

Call me Tiger | 7:45 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Good insight, towel boy in the U athletic department. Any national stripes you might have earned in recent history sprinted off to the Swamp, carpetbags in tow.

I love it how you attempt to demean BYU's ability to earn a national championship when going undefeated -- when Utah didn't have the national juice to make it happen the season the Utes were unbeaten.

BYU was the last team from a non-BCS conference to win a national championship. Yes, that's why they created the BCS -- to prevent that from happening again.

This year's goals ...

BYU: Quest for Perfection

Utah: Score against UNLV

Re. Re Difference | 7:46 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

to the person who works in the u of u athletic department... the funny thing is, Bernard and Aiona were waiting for the same teacher... but like Bernard said,"you have to get in their faces." yes that teacher is in Eurpoe, but what happens if he dies and never comes back (god forbid), does that mean Aiona Keys wont be able to get that grade and play for the Utes... That just goes to show you who is mature enough to handle this like an adult and who wants to get things done... rather than "WAITING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR YOU." Bernard had to do a lot more than what people thnk... I am a really close friend to his wife and she would let me in on everything.. and i just think it's funny that you spectators think you know what is really going on, when in fact you are mearly looking at the surface... i give mad props to Bernard and his wife.. they have come a long way and they deserve to be there... tear it up Cougars...

Re: Re.Re Difference | 8:04 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Close to his wife, huh? Really sounds like you know them well. Too bad I really don't work for the U of U Athletic Dept and don't really know the situation better than any of you. Too bad you don't know the situation either, because I made up the fact that the teacher was in Europe to make a point to the original guy posting that the "utah guy" didn't do anything except wait for the grade to be posted. Stupid. Like anyone of us really know what Key or this byu kid did....and we really can't take Harmon's word for it since he repeatedly gets facts wrong.

So, make sure you get cozy with Bernard and his wife and keep lying to your BYU faithful about how well your are in with the players. In actuality, you are just anther sock with Teva wearing, Levi shorts with your T-shirt tucked in, and brown braided belt that is about 5 sizes too big BYU fan that would love nothing more than to be the towel boy to these teen/early twenty football players.

Anonymous | 8:21 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

You Ute fans are sly foxes.

You had us all going. I really thought you were Chris Hill.

Now it turns out you were just tricking everyone so you could make fun of your stereotype of a Mormon.

You are just too smart.

Hey next, give us a description of the sterotypical Ute fan, OK?

Just step in front of the mirror, tell us what you're wearing, what's in the bottle you're holding, and what fast food place is on your nametag. Oh, and what year you last attended Jr. High, and where are you going drinking tonight...

Hmmm... | 8:40 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I'll take a National Championship banner up in the stadium over a Fiesta Bowl banner any day.

If you're going to play the if-then game with the BCS, BYU's 1996 team did the equivalent of what Utah did in 2004 by playing in the Cotton Bowl and beating a Kansas State team that was much better and much higher ranked than the Pitt team that Utah played.

Ty Detmer was not an NFL-style quarterback. But teams kept him on the roster because he had an amazing talent and knowledge of the game and they liked having him around their younger -- taller -- quarterbacks.

At least he wasn't a #1 pick bust like a certain Utah quarterback.

Speaking of quarterbacks, I'd like a Utah fan to make a list of their best quarterbacks and see how it compares to BYU. Ready... go.

Re: Anonymous | 8:43 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Hee hee hee....genious. The only problem with your post is that your only half right. I'm only 16 years old and I do work at a fast food restaurant....Carls Junior. My supervisor...you might know him...is Johnny Harline.

As for the drinking, I happen to be mormon so I don't endulge in drinking like most of America. To answer your question, I attended Jr. High about a year ago and I won't be drinking tonight. My dad, a long time Ute season ticket holder, is a Utah grad and a lawyer (tax attorney). So, make fun if you want sitting there at your night security job.

As for making fun of a stereotype mormon...I wasn't...just a stereotype byu fan. Utah mormon fans don't dress like that and neither do the UVSC folks (older sister goes there, so I do know). Its a BYU phomenon!

Holy War and More | 9:13 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

As long as you are utah, and as long as we are BYU, we will own you.

There will be dozens more Becks. Dozens more Harlines. Dozens more 4ths. Dozens more "and 18's".

You had basketball for a while, but you blew that one too. I have to give you ute fans credit though, it's cute the way you keep trying to win.

Cougar4 | 10:09 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Mr. Athletic towell boy...You lied, you defended your lie, then you tried to justify your lying!

You are a Ute Fan.

Anonymous | 10:19 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

re:Re: Anonymous | 8:43

Can't make fun of you there buddy.

You did it to yourself.

Thinking of oneself as clever never did make one intelligent.

I bet your dad is proud.

Hans Solo | 10:37 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Hey Hans fans, sorry to break it to you but all the local sports writers have known about this kid for quite some time now. He was impressing people before he ever started playing Jr. College ball.

It will be great to see him playing D1 football.

Joe D | 3:37 a.m. Aug. 20, 2008

Way to go Hans! -The Man Crush club....Our motto is: "Hans Olsen: Is four hours a day really enough"..I say NO. Thanks to Dick Harmon as well, he's not so bad either.

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