The BYU Cougars are gearing up for a pivotal showdown against the Arizona Wildcats this Saturday, a game that marks a key milestone in their 2026 football schedule.
Depth Concerns at Running Back and Safety
Injuries have already forced the Cougars into a makeshift lineup at both running back and safety, with backup Sione Moa sidelined by recurring ailments that have limited his availability early in the season.
Moa, who missed the recent game against Utah Tech and remains listed behind LJ Martin, is dealing with another injury that coach Aaron Roderick says is not season‑ending but whose return timeline has not been specified.
To compensate, BYU has turned to a rotating committee that includes third‑string back Preston Rex, who logged five carries for 38 yards and a touchdown, true freshman Journee Tonga, who rushed for 38 yards on two carries and scored his first career touchdown, and Devaughn Eka, who led the team with 59 yards on eight carries in the second half.
The depth issues extend to the secondary, where safety Raider Damuni will be out for an extended period but not for the entire season, prompting the promotion of Tommy Prassas to the starting safety role, while true freshman Kennan Pula and redshirt sophomore Jarinn Kalama are slated to see significant snaps.
On the linebacker front, star Isaiah Glasker is expected to return in week two after sitting out the opener for precautionary reasons, and when healthy, Nusi Taumoepeau, BYU’s top pass‑rusher, will re‑enter the rotation.
With the Cougars’ roster reshaped by these injuries, the upcoming Arizona game will test how well the committee approach and the influx of young talent can translate into on‑field production, making the matchup a critical early test of the 2026 season.