BYU receiver Puka Nacua scores on BYU’s first play from scrimmage in season opener in opposition to USF, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Nacua has been sidelined with an damage the final two video games, however might see the sphere, maybe, Saturday in opposition to Wyoming. Robert W. Grover, for the Deseret Information
Though it was a “humbled and dissatisfied” soccer workforce after shedding 41-20 to Oregon final Saturday at Autzen Stadium, BYU must be more healthy this weekend when the Wyoming Cowboys experience into LaVell Edwards Stadium, coach Kalani Sitake mentioned Monday.
Calling the blowout loss to the Geese a “missed alternative” a number of instances, Sitake mentioned at his weekly press briefing that a few the 4 starters who have been sidelined in opposition to Oregon might presumably play within the 8:15 p.m. MDT kickoff at Edwards Stadium in opposition to the 3-1 Cowboys.
Nonetheless, a participant who sustained an undisclosed damage early within the Oregon sport, cornerback Kaleb Hayes, has been added to the damage listing.
“We're hopeful to get them again. I don’t know what the correct wording can be, however possible (may) be the correct one. After which, (we) be ok with presumably getting Gunner and Puka again, too.” — BYU soccer coach Kalani Sitake
Sitake mentioned defensive finish Tyler Batty, who has an stomach pressure, “is nearer than anybody” to having the ability to play Saturday. Batty made the journey to Eugene however was held out.
Fellow defensive finish Earl Tuioti-Mariner has additionally been out with an damage.
“We're hopeful to get them again,” Sitake mentioned. “I don’t know what the correct wording can be, however possible (may) be the correct one. After which, (we) be ok with presumably getting Gunner and Puka again, too.”
Receiver Gunner Romney has a lacerated kidney and has but to see the sphere this season; receiver Puka Nacua sustained a excessive ankle sprain within the opener in opposition to South Florida and hasn’t performed since, though he did make the journey to Oregon and was in a strolling boot.
“We'll see. I imply, I felt this manner a pair weeks in the past, too, so I do not know anymore,” Sitake mentioned. “We're simply going to arrange for the worst and hope for the perfect.”
Requested for a “timetable” for the return of Hayes — who appeared to have sustained concussion-like signs as a result of his helmet was taken away in the course of the sport — Sitake mentioned the Oregon State switch believes he “simply wanted a breather” and wished to proceed enjoying.
“We're going to work with our trainers and determine it out. No matter is true. The very last thing I need is for him to return again in when he isn't prepared and make issues worse for him,” Sitake mentioned. “He has a future on this sport, so we'll maintain him protected, even from himself.”
Vanderbilt switch Gabe Jeudy-Lally changed Hayes and completed with three tackles. D’Angelo Mandell is the opposite beginning nook.
Sitake mentioned veteran nickels Jakob Robinson and Jacob Boren can even play nook. If the damage lingers, gamers comparable to Korbyn Inexperienced, Chika Ebunoha and junior school switch Mory Bamba might additionally see their enjoying time elevated.
“We should see how Kaleb does this week,” Sitake mentioned.
Kicking woes proceed
Sitake was requested concerning the kicking scenario after starter Jake Oldroyd missed his third-straight subject aim try, relationship again to the 2 misses in opposition to Baylor that may have received that sport, within the second quarter in opposition to the Geese.
Oldroyd made two PATs Saturday, however after their third TD the Cougars made an unsuccessful two-point conversion try.
The coach didn’t give Oldroyd a vote of confidence Monday, though the redshirt junior remains to be listed because the starter on the depth chart BYU launched Monday. Redshirt freshmen Justen Smith and Money Peterman are listed because the co-backups.
“Yeah, we'd like the kicking sport to be a energy. They've accomplished it earlier than, so there's not a lot to it, different than simply be accountable. And that's from everyone. We had errors on particular groups, the penalties. Lack of self-discipline is an issue. And that's the complete workforce. We have to determine it out. We had some actually unhealthy penalties at unhealthy instances,” Sitake mentioned.
“We gotta maintain engaged on the basics. The basics of the sport is what damage us probably the most in that sport. It wasn’t a scarcity of effort or power or scheme. It was simply not getting the little issues, the basics of the sport, proper.”
Cougars on the air
Wyoming (3-1) at No. 19 BYU (2-1)
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. MDT
LaVell Edwards Stadium
Provo, Utah
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM