Deseret News | Throwbacks: Cougar have a stable full of big, bruising running backs

Reader comments
Throwbacks: Cougar have a stable full of big, bruising running backs

Jim A. | 2:41 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Ohhhhhhh yeahhhhhhh !!! Let the hurtin' begin.

Anybody got a can opener?

K R James Kansas | 3:20 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

These boys may be the surprise of the year for the offense. A lot of negatives have been published because of the loss of Curtis Brown - I see a pounding yard gaining offense when needed.

RML | 6:54 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

I love BYU's connection with Polynesians and rugby. I wish BYU could have this kind of group year after year. Vakapuna drags tacklers with him every time he has the ball. If these guys can get through Arizona's tough defense, BYU will win that game. If not, I think it will be too much pressure for Hall and BYU will struggle to get a W. If they do get through it, they'll be able to get through every other defense all year. These guys are going to be awesome to watch! Football starts in two weeks!

Comments continue below

Bronco | 8:52 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

They are fully invested and will be blessed for...blah blah blah.

I can't wait for the season to start so we can stop hearing about how good ALL college football teams will be.

Everyone is undefeated in fall camp and will potentially bust the BCS.

Enough already.

Heidi | 9:52 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

I keep hearing about how good the Cougars are going to be. I don't think they've had a great team since 1985. The Ty Detmer year was ok. But 1982 to 1985 was awesome. There will never be another LaVell Edwards, Jim McMahon, Steve Young, or Robbie Boscoe and the entire 1985 champion team. Good luck anyhoo, Cougars of 2007.

C Bryant | 10:01 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Luke Staley was by far the most exciting RB to play at BYU.

If he says our RB's are great, it should be an awesome year!

annie | 10:53 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Heidi, I hope that before you made your comment you would have checked some facts, the 1985 team didn't with the national title, that was the 1984 team. I'm pretty sure that since 1984 BYU has been nationally ranked several times, won the conference championship several times, Lets start with 1996, record 14-1,won the conference title outright,beat #12 Kansas in the holiday bowl, ending the season ranked 5th, and most people would argue this team was one of the best in cougar history,the 2001 team went 11-2 with a top national ranking at 6 and ending the season 17th, I'd consider that pretty good, or this last year going 11-2, with the nation's second longest active win streak at 10 wins. I"m sure that this years team will be just as good. Possible BCS buster and I can't wait for kick-off v. Arizona. GO BYU!

mike | 10:58 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

But where is Luke now?

Steve C. | 11:09 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

As much as I love Fui, Manase, and the boys, I am disappointed to hear about the J.J. having to redshirt. Anxious to see him and Harvey in the same backfield.

In any case, the RBs must be strong from the beginning in order to give Hall some time to develop confidence.

If Max comes on quickly (a la Robbie Bosco) and we get by a tough UA squad on September 1st, this could be a very good season in Cougarland!

Big Man | 11:38 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

I can't wait to see the boys smash through Utah's front line next November. With the stable full, it will be like rolling down pins.

Spencer | 11:39 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Um Reno Mahe was mentioned as a one of the old powerbacks in the past. Yeah, mahe was like 5-7 or 9 and like 180 pounds. Power? more shifty.

Blue Chelan 56 | 12:12 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Thanks Annie for setting everyone straight.Regardless of the past,each year we pray for even one back that might get the job done at BYU.Good running backs have been a luxury at BYU.There have been some great ones but often times they had to pull the load by themselves and were few and far apart.Our controlled passing offense allowed us to get the job done with a single back at times and even when that back was an average athlete we could still win games. But those backs already mentioned like Luke and Heimuli just put the icing on the cake for great BYU Football. Now be thankful that we now have 4 with size, speed, heart,commitment,and great athleticism. Any College coach would salivate to have such a stable of Horses to work with.All in the same year or in our case,several years. BUT REMEMBER. As Fui V. has indicated, it still takes a great front O. line to make it all happen.We also have one of those as well!!!! GOOOO Cougs!!!!!

LDS | 12:19 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

The lord has seen fit to bless the most blessed of all school football teams with a most blessed RB. Fui is obviously staying away from all temptations, including tofu and slim fast. He will punish all those sinfull opposing players that support women's rights and free speech with powerfull blows of his almighty shoulder!

WRM | 12:34 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Hey Big Man. Stop with the smack talk already. The Utah game is more than 3 months from now. A lot will happen between now and late November. And when was the last time the Cougars rolled over the Utes like bowling pins anyway.

STUD | 12:55 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Who cares about rolling over. A win is a win, I think a Johnny Harline-type touchdown catch hurts the ute fans to watch more than a complete shilacking anyways.

Cougar Fan | 12:57 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Hey WRM, last year the cougars got a ton of confidence, and I think the utes are reeling. If BYU can come out strong against arizona, than they will have a great year because of that confidence boost.

Heidi | 1:06 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

All right, I was wrong about the year. Don't all go dog pilin' me : ) Thanks for setting me straight. I was just a young kid back then and I'm relying on that memory. I got confused about the collegiate years. Was it the 1983-84 year when they won the nat'l championship? Or was it the 1984-85 year? I must have confused it with Snow College--they won the 1985 national title for junior colleges. Oh, I may be wrong about that. Anyway, that was a fun time and it's gone the way of the Bob Hope Christmas specials. I must be the one with the problem--I just haven't gotten excited about the BYU teams since then. I appologize to all loyal Cougar fans--including my dad who are always looking forward to football season. I really do wish this team well. Coach Bronco did oversee some improvements last season. Thanks everyone on the comments who set me straight and who are true blue fans.

Jim A. | 1:51 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

You're killing me Heidi!! Seen any Raider games lately?

1984-1985?

Oh yeah, the O line is even better than the RB's.

Civil | 2:09 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

1) The Utes are nowhere near reeling. The cougars may be confident, but they were confident in 2002 as well.
2) STUD is correct (not in name, mind you, only with his comment). That last second win killed me more than any blowout ever would. But dont go thinking the Utes have forgotten about that.

scott | 3:17 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Since all their running so far has been against the BYU defense are they that good or is the defense that bad and every other team will run over them too?

Ghost | 3:34 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Vakapuna is a little crazy I think...look at his eyes when he runs. Although I am a Ute fan I watched Vakapuna play at Air Force last year and he is the typical Fullback style with short to moderate pounding runs that punish defensive players...that is if the O-line can move the opposing meat out of the way for a good hole because although the backs are big 222-240 pounders they still can't run through 290-340 pounders clogging up the line...so they better be fast to skirt the outside if their line can't control the trenches. As for "Stud" and "Big man" (compensating for something) and their comments I am sure you are both capable of realizing that an article in the newspaper about a scrimmage / post season play image of BYU running backs does not translate to BYU beating Utah in November. I know you can dream but do you guys function in the realm of reality at some point and look at things objectively or do you jsut run your mouths all the time? Go Utes- and long live a "healthy" Utah v BYU rivalry. In the meantime I hope they both have undefeated seasons until the final game in November.

Vaca lover | 4:00 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Vakapuna is a little crazy. thats why I love to watch him play. My friends and I have been calling him "crazy eyes" (a reference to Life Aquatic, "he's got the crazy eyes!"). He gets me pumped when he gets all crazy even after the most modest of runs. GO BYU!

Ken Goddard | 5:30 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Disgusting, any way you look at it. It has turned into a game of mutants just like basketball.

Commando | 8:16 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Oh no, Ken! What are we going to do now that BYU is competetive and your son won't ever make the team??!!LOL

zoobuh | 9:52 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Thank goodness for the running game. I have no confidence in the passing game. I hope the best to Hall. Prove me wrong!!

UTE FAN | 10:09 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

You Cougar fans kill me. Even though I bleed red, I just wanted to correct Annie's correction of Heidi. The 1996 team that went 14-1 didn't beat No. 12 Kansas in the Holiday Bowl. It beat Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. I am a pure football fan and heart and hate inaccuracies. GO UTES!!!!

Cougar Mike | 10:23 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Hey Mike, Luke Staley won the doak walker award. They don't award that to chumps. Had he not been injured in the end of that last win of to 2002 season and blown out his knee he wouldhave been a nice pro RB. How good, nobody knows but he had power and speed. They probably go undefeated that year also. That injury killed the team. No more run attack. Why were they running him at the end of a blow-out game!! It still bothers me. Go Cougs!

STUD | 12:18 p.m. Aug. 17, 2007

Ghost, when did I say it translated to BYU beating Utah in November,I didn't even say anything about the article, I said I like to see the last second win, rather than a blowout, becuase they're more memorable, you need to settle down man, chill out. You Angry Ute fans, are obviously still a little bitter about last year's last second win. (told you those are better than blowouts)

Vern Rogers | 4:28 p.m. Aug. 18, 2007

Ok ok - STUB oops I mean STUD - why don't you just get a life and stop re-living it on Channel 11's replays of the 1984 Cougars "mythical" national championship game. And Heidi you are probably so brain dead from all those chemicals dumped on your head at the beauty salon in Payson - no wonder you can't remember the biggest and best bowl game the Cougars ever played in. And Cougar Mike - now who would ever call themself Cougar Mike - other than some low life janitor at Jenny P. Stewart Elementary School - and you thought I didn't know. Finally, Vaca Lover - is that just another way or saying that you are a flaming homo. To all those BYU fans out there - just make an extra stop at McDonalds on Monday night Family Night - pound down another $1 Big Mac and maybe just maybe your kids will get accepted at the U - the University of YOOOOOTah.

AKCoug | 5:00 p.m. Aug. 19, 2007

hey vern, how is ernest? What's with the personal attacks?? worried that Utah is going to be disappointing this year? That still doesn't mean you need to be a grouch, try relaxing a little, I mean seriously with your choice in sports teams I'd have to say you probably have some serious issues that need to be dealt with. Maybe if you focus more on overcoming those problems you won't be so angry. Good luck

STUD | 10:32 a.m. Aug. 20, 2007

Vern, woooooww, GOOD ONE!! STUB..How clever, golly, you are one smart guy...Man, You might have to go all the way up to a 2nd grade class to find a name that good! oh and a "mythical" national championship or not, it's still ONE MORE than Utah has or will ever get!!!

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.