Deseret News | BYU football: Cougars' D-line is suffering setbacks

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BYU football: Cougars' D-line is suffering setbacks

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Wasted Opportunity | 5:34 p.m. June 18, 2009

Come on Afutiti, there are thousands who would give up anything to be in your shoes. Stand up and be accountable!

State school | 5:36 p.m. June 18, 2009

Ute Bob/Crimson Club. Funny stuff from a state school that would take a doormat if it could pay tuition. Try getting into BYU - good luck.

Glad he has the opp | 6:02 p.m. June 18, 2009

to get his grades up and come back next year!
Give it your all, Afutiti! You can do it!

Comments continue below

Skippy | 6:05 p.m. June 18, 2009

Why does everyone relish in cutting low others?

Sites? | 6:12 p.m. June 18, 2009

I did not know this was a "kewger site". We read the news but I didn't realize you "owned" this site.

BLOW | 6:37 p.m. June 18, 2009

Let's continue to blow scholarships on guys with sketchy chances of ever being eligible.

Aren't D-LINEMAN are a dime a dozen?

Exactly!

That's why schools are willing to take a chance on any "bona-fide" candidate. Here's to hoping someone is out there who might fit in along the D-Line. Offer them a chance to open the season against OKLAHOMA!

Dave | 11:13 p.m. June 18, 2009

Here come the excuses already for your defense!! The sign of a successful defense and a successful program is one that can plug in other players when one goes down for injury or other reasons and another steps up without missing a beat.

NNNNNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | 11:15 p.m. June 18, 2009

WWWWWHHHHYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

We needed him so, so, so, soooooo badly it's not even funny. He was going to be a very solid player this year and might be next year, but it's so incredibly frustrating to see this happen.

Last paragraph: "Afutiti was known for his speed and athleticism."

Gee, thanks for rubbing it in DesNews! BYU needs all the speed and athleticism they can get, particularly on defense, and he was going to be one of, if not THE best pass rushers on the team.

This hurts, no, this flippin' smarts! I don't even know if anyone knows how much this will impact the team, specifically the D-Line, come Fall. Granted the projected starters Jan Jorgensen, Brett Denney, and Rick Wolfley are in place, this hurts the talent we have in the two deep even more. First Matt Ah You, now this. This was the last thing we needed.

lol | 1:55 a.m. June 19, 2009

The war kitten tradition of having a defense that chokes lives on! Aren't you guys always dogging on Ute education? What hypocrisy! Way to fail again kitties.

@ State School | 2:23 a.m. June 19, 2009

Sure, its harder getting into BYU (even for a great athlete?), but I'm pretty sure maintaining a 2.0 GPA or whatever the requirement is, is equally easy (or hard depending on the student) at either school. Quit being such an elitist, thats exactly why many have issues with the attitude comming out of that school.

Transfer to Utah | 2:34 a.m. June 19, 2009

He could start for the ewes! No need to worry about grades there! But there is another problem, he doesn't have a criminal record!

awww | 4:43 a.m. June 19, 2009

what a surprise. byu football players who can't get good grades? i thought there was perfection in provo.

Anonymous | 6:37 a.m. June 19, 2009

Oklahoma will love this.

Dime a Dozen | 6:51 a.m. June 19, 2009

Last time I checked D-Line need to be 6'4"-6'6" and 280-300 lbs. There really isn't that many people walking around like that. Now rec and Rbs is a different story. Learn the game.

Why Bother | 7:08 a.m. June 19, 2009

Unbelievable. Unstoppable. The incessant, non-stop bickering between BYU and Utah people is like watching an endless loop of Abbott and Costello doing their "Who's on first, whose on second" routine. Let it ride, folks! Good grief. Do you have to keep displaying your ameoba-like cognitive capacities? Or, is that beyond your comprehension?

Utah Fan | 7:34 a.m. June 19, 2009

While I'm a Utah Fan and could relish in the lack of depth on the D Line, I won't. Rather, I want to give kudos to the two D Linemen for going on missions. Good for them!

Besides that I want the Cougs to be at full strength when the Utes crush them in November.

re: Why Bother | 7:39 a.m. June 19, 2009

It'll never end. It's like a disease that'll never be cured.
The sad part is, this is probably 30-40 year old men bickering like this....
You should listen to them during the season. You'd think someone stole their lollipop.

owm | 7:53 a.m. June 19, 2009

The great thing about BYU athletics is that it is normally just a matter of reloading. I think Kaufusi has already got it done and Fall Ball is still 40 days away.

I also think this was just a story to give the Utes some hope... False that it is.

Anyway. Consider this: If an athlete gives up on his/her studies and can't pull the grades to remain eligible to play, why would you think he/she is going to endure an end of the game push when it is all on the line?

This is reality: If they quit at books, they will quit on the field of play when the game is on the line.

Good luck in your re-committment process, Afutiti. Hope you get the fortitude back to play big time College Football.

Go Cougs

I would like to know | 7:56 a.m. June 19, 2009

how this kid ever got into BYU in the first place. Why hasn't he been kicked out of school for low academic achievement. They kick out other people. He red shirted for a year and the coaches didn't know he could not make it in the classroom. . He should not be on this team or else get him a full time tutor. I should feel sorry for Mendenhall but he talks out of both sides of mouth so often it is hard to be sympathic.

Solution | 8:03 a.m. June 19, 2009

We should bring some of our secondary up to the d-line. The have the same 40 time as a d-lineman.

Re: I would like to know | 8:20 a.m. June 19, 2009

Actually, it's a sign of Coach Mendenhall's integrity because at many D-I schools the academic status of a player is secondary to his ability to help the team.

There was an article just yesterday on the Sports Illustrate webpage talking about how 24 of Urban Meyer's players have been arrested at one point or another since he became coach at Florida, some repeatedly. Most are still on the team.

Student | 8:27 a.m. June 19, 2009

Simple solution: hit the books. Good grief.

Who Cares? | 8:41 a.m. June 19, 2009

It's the first day of summer Sunday. Football is a fall sport, lets leave it alone until late summer at best. I don't want to read about football all summer PLEASE!

jgjiv | 8:59 a.m. June 19, 2009

Dave....How is saying that we don't have good players at D-line an EXCUSE. Duh!! It an admission, not an excuse.

College football is serious and big time business. How do these guys not have tutors all over them BEFORE this happens.

BYU For Life | 9:04 a.m. June 19, 2009

I am a lifelong Cougar fan and I just know that despite the doubts by many, the Cougs will gain a BCS berth this season. I was a young man in 1984 and I can still remember the feeling I had in my heart before the season even began. That same feeling exists in my heart today.
With a man like Bronco leading the Band of Brothers I know they can do it.

Anonymous | 9:12 a.m. June 19, 2009

I don't know if BYU will make the same mistake with matt asiata by letting him go. But I hope they do.

@ jgjiv | 9:14 a.m. June 19, 2009

They have plenty of access to tutors - I've had friends who've helped with the tutoring program. They tell me that sometimes players simply can't be convinced to crack open a book, no matter how much help's offered. That's allegedly what happened to a certain fullback a year ago.

Standards | 9:16 a.m. June 19, 2009

byu lowers the entrance requirements for their athletes to the NCAA minimum requirements.
If you're a football player, you can get in with fairly sketchy grades.
byu loses more footballers to grades than Utah or Utah State. At least it has under Brocno.
Under Crowton/Edwards they even signed a few Prop 48 players.

what? | 9:17 a.m. June 19, 2009

You can't call the DLine weak if Jorgenson is there. Maybe it's not deep, but Jan makes it strong.

RE BYU For Life | 9:19 a.m. June 19, 2009

I completely agree with you..... I have that same feeling pounding in my heart. This is our season! I just Know it!

Bronco is such a humble and amzazing person. The feeling you get when you run in to him at the mall, grocery store, devotional, etc. just screams VICTORY!!

TheHailstorm | 9:22 a.m. June 19, 2009

....and just when things were looking so good.
What's the body count going to be after they play Oklahoma ? Getting to Sam Bradford , the reigning Heisman Trophy boy, may not be that easy now.
Built in excuses for the Yneers though.
I can just hear it... " well gosh and flip if we had our guys from Spring ball we would be 11-1"

grizzdad | 10:14 a.m. June 19, 2009

Hey "BYU For Life"...

Please tell me that your posts are satire.

If so, I can continue through life with faith in the human race.

If not, it's hara-kiri by noon.

We'll See | 10:15 a.m. June 19, 2009

First off, a hearty congratulations to Tialavea and Dulan for opting to give up their starting positions lo late in their collegate career to serve the Lord for 2 years.

Second, Byu still has 3 ends that could cause problems for passing teams. Even with those leaving on missions and Afutiti ineligible, I expect to se significantly more pressure on opposing QB's this year than last. It is aginst the run that the true test of this years D-line will be faced.

TJ | 10:44 a.m. June 19, 2009

I didn't get the feeling that the coaches were overly worried about this. I got the feeling it will change the plans they had but I think they will be ok and to anyone thinking 12-0 or 11-1. I think you are crazy. They have a chance at beating the U but it will be a great game. I think BYU loses 3. TCU will eat them up again. OU will make them look slow and I even think if FSU can get their offense moving then the D will be too fast for BYU to control the entire game. I think TCU OU and FSU all beat BYU this year. it wouldn't suprise me to see BYU start out with a losing record going into conference play but the D line won't be the biggest issue for them. They will be ok. Maybe not as good as projected but they will be fine

Pragmatic | 11:03 a.m. June 19, 2009

Wow TJ, a good comment from a cougar. I'm glad to see that not all BYU fans aren't as delusional as BYU for Life. Way to be a pragmatic fan and realize that there is a world around you. The Cougars are a good team, a 12-0 great team they are not.

11-1? | 11:26 a.m. June 19, 2009

Try 8-4 or 7-5, TDS is going down to Oklahoma (where do I start), FSU (fast team getting better), UNLV (ya I said it, just remember last seasons INT to save the game at LES) TCU (you weren't even close to them last year) and Utah (speedy QB and the defense and owns Maxie comes back). As long as TDS stays healthy you could be 8-4, lose Pitta, Unga or Max and you very well could lose to AFA and CSU.
TDS isn't any better this year, O-line (23 starts total), waiting for JC corners (maybe faster, but small), replacing your star WR with new WRs (how many catches to they have), starting D-limeman (not like the D-line was special last year either) and now backups.

Oh ya, and a coaching staff that doesn't know how to change a game plan during a game.

How is that feeling pounding now?

Difference between ou and byu | 11:42 a.m. June 19, 2009

Athletes at OU are required to go to 20 hours of tutoring a week. Their grades are reviewed daily by academic counselors. If they miss a class the academic academic counselor knows it within an hour and they are called and have to do unbelievable practices for missing class. These universities have millions invested in these athletes and they do not allow them to be counterproductive to themselves or the team. I watched OU play 5 games last year and their 4th string guys could probably win 45-10. If they play their starters just remember the Texas Tech score plus 20. There needs to be more accountability of their athletes and their coaches to make these young men not quit on themselves or their teammates.

back and forth | 12:01 p.m. June 19, 2009

As a former college athlete and coach, everyone needs to realize that those that take shots at each other are people who could never play themselves. I have many friends who play or have played pro football and baseball and they all have fun, but aren't mean spirited with rivalries. The only ones who take pleasure in cutting down others are those who weren't good enough to play themselves. So consider the source and move on!

The Deuce | 12:12 p.m. June 19, 2009

There is no excuse for dropping below the academic eligibility line for the NCAA. You have to actually try to flunk out. With the amount of tutoring available, all you really need to do is to apply some effort and you can make the minimum. Yes, I have been there and done that so I can talk from experience. Following my undergraduate days I also worked for the Athletic Dept. as a tutor to help some of the athletes. Their success is dependent on how much effort they put forth. This goes on each year and is no different from when I played. Simply get this guy going to summer school and work with him to develop good study habits.

BYU vs OU or anywhere else | 12:21 p.m. June 19, 2009

...and at OU you can get a job at a local car dealership where you earn $15-20k without ever working, during the off-season. BYU is a more difficult school, academically, than large state schools, and the overwhelming majority of BCS affiliated universities. Additionally, you won't hear about all the attrition at these schools because they do have much better depth. It is a lot easier to recruit when your players don't need to swear off alcohol, coffee, and most importantly girls. The difference between BYU and OU isn't about the structure of the athletic department, but the academic and honor code expectations. How many Div. I athletes are going to voluntarily give up sex and alcohol for four years?

anon | 12:25 p.m. June 19, 2009

Who is in charge at the Y to make sure the players are keeping up with their grades????

It's Not Over Till... | 1:04 p.m. June 19, 2009

BYU may not have the depth, but there are still some very good back ups. Both Fuga and Richardson are tough on the D-line and Richardson, as a red shirt, was quick to the QB. By Fall they should both be ready for play. Regardless of the nay-sayers and whiners, it should still be a good season.

Mission Benefit... Not | 1:11 p.m. June 19, 2009

Interesting... I don't hear anyone touting the "mission advantage" now. There may be some minimal upside for lineman to serve a mission, but here is a clear disadvantage to encouraging missionary service. Don't get me wrong, a mission is an awesome thing. My son put his college bball career on hold to serve and is doing so right now. This is case in point that the whole missionary advantage discussion is a waste of time. It helps, it hurts, it evens out...

I feel bad for Bernard Afutiti | 1:54 p.m. June 19, 2009

I am a U of U grad, and also a former student athlete. I feel bad for the guy. What people don't realize is the small amount of time that you really have to hit the books. Sure, life is hard and you have to deal with it and not drop the ball, which Bernard Afutiti did; however, sometimes people are the most gifted mental people, or they have learning disorders that limit how fast they can learn different items. It was sad to see other athletes, especially those with large travel schedules (softball and baseball) struggle with long road trips and professors with vendettas against athletes (and there are plenty of those professors on every campus). While I love seeing the team down south fail, AGAIN, I would like to see this guy bounce back and get hit academic house in order. It could be he is just lazy, but learning disorders often go unnoticed and untreated. Hit the books, and get some help man. (Since I am sure he is reading this comment board right now.)

cougar fan | 2:31 p.m. June 19, 2009

doesnt sound to good for a team that struggled defensively last year. What makes people think we will be better? These losses are big and we should have adressed it more for the 09 season. The line at this point could cost us a chance at a conference championship. B. Afutiti you ought to be proud all that time last year to get ready and you blew it what a loser! Our D was our achillies heal last year and we never put pressure on the QB. oUR db'S WERE LOUSEY TOO. wHAT MAKES ANYONE THINK IT WILL BE BETTER. We will be like a open gate up front.

TheHailstorm | 3:10 p.m. June 19, 2009

Looks to me like the coaches didn't do their homework.

Elder | 3:27 p.m. June 19, 2009

I, too, was a young man in 1984. I had the same burning in my bosom at the sight of the righteous warriors on the field. This year the quest continues and we will be vindicated. Our foes on and off the field will be smitten mightily. I can feel it in my bosom.

Confused | 3:35 p.m. June 19, 2009

I am fairly recent transplant to Utah, and I've worked in higher ed for about twenty years. Here's my question. Who says that BYU is high academic institution? Certainly not anyone outside of Utah that I've ever heard. BYU and "top-tier education" just don't go hand-in-hand. BYU is a teaching institution rather than a research institution. They don't even compare. Professor's at teaching institutions make a fraction of what is paid at research institutions. There are 79 level I resarch institutions in the country. This accreditation takes into account teaching as well as research. The only level I institution in Utah is the University of Utah. I'm not trying to be rude, just pointing out a fact. Since I've moved here I've heard some people compare BYU to Stanford or an Ivy League school. I thought they were just crazy. Then I've read it several times on comment boards. Do people really think this? It just isn't possible. Teaching institutions are on a lower level than research institutions. Who cares what the avg. GPA coming in is. It's what happens at the school. Sorry.

Players Owe the School | 3:45 p.m. June 19, 2009

When the school takes them, offers scholarships the players needs to keep their end of the deal by studying and getting good grades. Where are the tutors? Might as well break the honor code.

Mr. BYU | 3:54 p.m. June 19, 2009

Let me tell you, Putnam can be a huge contributor based on what I saw last year! The only thing he needed to do from last year is gain 10-20 lbs (or more) of muscle and he would be good to go...with a little more experience.

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