Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Kelly Poppinga across Football.
BYU safety Raider Damuni will miss several weeks after a lower leg injury in the opener, prompting redshirt sophomore Tommy Prassas and freshman Jarinn Kalama to assume starting duties as the Cougars face a challenging schedule that includes a showdown with Arizona’s top quarterback Noah Fifta.
With Raider Damuni sidelined, Tommy Prassas steps into the starting safety role, Nusi Taumoepeau takes over at linebacker, and Cannon DeVries assumes kick return duties, all while Kelly Poppinga hints at a possible Damuni return before the Notre Dame game.
Raider Damuni, a fourth‑year safety for BYU, suffered a leg injury in the season opener but says he will not miss the entire year, as the Cougars await MRI results and consider their options at safety.
Utah Tech’s Trailblazers fell 63-7 to BYU in Provo, Utah, yet head coach Lance Anderson lauded the Cougars’ talent and expressed confidence in their upcoming season.
In their 2026 season opener, BYU routed Utah Tech 63-7, building a 42-0 halftime lead and showcasing a balanced attack led by Bear Bachmeier and Legend Glasker while Kelly Poppinga’s defense forced two interceptions.
BYU can reach the College Football Playoff through a Big 12 title, a win over Notre Dame, or a near‑perfect season, but defensive improvements and close‑game resilience will be decisive.
The Cougars enter 2026 with a blend of returning stars, high‑profile transfers and a schedule that pits them against Notre Dame and Kansas, all under the electric atmosphere of LaVell Edwards Stadium.
With 64 players on the 2026 roster having completed full‑time missions and five coaches bringing similar experience, BYU’s football program reflects a deep commitment to service and global engagement.
BYU Football intertwines athletic competition with a worldwide missionary outreach, engaging thousands of students and staff across continents while championing multilingualism and cultural exchange.
Head coach Kalani Sitake outlines the Cougars' progress, highlighting quarterback Bear Bachmeier's expanded role, the development of young receivers, and the status of key injured players as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
Returning stars, new portal acquisitions and a revamped coaching staff position BYU to field one of the most formidable defenses in the conference and nationally for the 2026 season.
Kalani Sitake voices dissatisfaction with the Cougars' recent performance despite a 23‑4 record, emphasizing the need for continued growth as the 2026 season approaches.
With veterans like Bodie Schoonover and rising stars such as Nusi Taumoepeau and Braxton Lindsey, BYU’s defensive line is set to become a cornerstone of its quest for a playoff run.
BYU’s fall practice begins in early August 2026, spotlighting slot corner Jonathan Kabeya as he seeks to overcome injury setbacks and lock down a key defensive role.
With the 2026 campaign opening against Utah Tech in under 40 days, BYU is shaping its roster around a returning head coach, a new offensive coordinator, and a running back poised to rewrite the program's record books.
The latest Big 12 preseason football rankings reveal a competitive landscape, with Texas Tech leading the pack and several programs poised for breakthroughs.
Senior safety Raider Damuni spent his summer in Tonga with teammates and coach Kalani Sitake, where a football camp, a fireside and a new employment center sparked a spiritual renewal that he now brings to Provo.
With a 23‑4 record over the last two seasons and a second‑place preseason ranking, the Cougars are poised for a breakout year, highlighted by key players and a supportive coaching staff.
Uhila Matekitonga Finefeuiaki Wolfgramm, a top‑rated defensive end from Maple Mountain High, announced his commitment to Brigham Young University, reinforcing a recruiting momentum that has already produced back‑to‑back wins over Oklahoma.
In a recent interview, Bryan Kehl recalls the intensity of the BYU‑Utah rivalry, the physical leap to the NFL, and his optimism for a BYU team that could contend for a national championship.
From a memorable 2006 showdown in Salt Lake City to dreams of a national championship, Kehl’s story intertwines personal milestones with the evolving landscape of college football.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake reflects on a flight conversation with a grandmother, his commitment to staying at his alma mater, and the family‑centric values that shape the Cougars' rise.
After turning down a high‑profile request from Penn State, Kalani Sitake remains at BYU, where he blends tradition, culture and new NIL opportunities to build a transformational program.
After two straight 11‑2 and 12‑2 seasons that fell just short of the College Football Playoff, Brigham Young University is poised to turn optimism into a championship push in 2026, led by coach Kalani Sitake and a revamped roster.