When defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa left the University of Utah to join rival BYU a few years ago, he famously said that he knew the move “was going to cause earthquakes” in Salt Lake City.
Metaphorically, he wasn’t wrong. The bold decision captured headlines for months and spawned plenty of nasty exchanges between Cougar and Ute fans, while the native of Mission Viejo, California, stayed mostly above the fray.
“I am not surprised that they’re (8-0) because that’s Morgan’s attitude. That’s coach Scalley’s way of life. He is a go-getter, and that man has one of the greatest spirits that I’ve been around in being ruthlessly the best version of himself.”
Tanuvasa got the first laugh in the rivalry, as he and his new BYU teammates defeated Utah 24-21 last year in Provo, BYU’s third-straight win in the series. But now the redshirt senior has to face the Utah faithful in all their glory, Saturday at 10 a.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
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Speaking of things that rattle, what kind of reception does he expect from Utah fans?
“Nothing but their best, which is their passion, their fire, everything that comes along with it,” he said Monday. “I was one of the biggest advocates for them when I was there. I loved their passion, their impact on the game because I felt that when they were behind me as a player. So I don’t expect anything different going back up there as an opposing player. I’m excited for their fire and their juice.”
Making this week even more interesting and exciting for the 6-foot-4, 300-pound NFL prospect is that his wife, Zerin, is due to deliver their son “any day now” in Provo. Tanuvasa said he will have BYU defensive line coach Sione Po’uha and several trainers “on standby” with his phone during practices and they will alert him if he needs to run off the field and over to the hospital.
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Suffice it to say that the week is shaping up to be one of the most emotional and memorable weeks in Tanuvasa’s life.
“I’m excited. I think Rice-Eccles is a phenomenal place to play. It is one of my favorite stadiums in the entire country, and so being back there (brings a) lot of excitement. They got a great team.”
Tanuvasa said he knows Utah’s standout offensive line well.
“They are a freaking great bunch of guys that give huge effort,” he said. “I’ve seen that since they were young players. … I think the game that we play is a boys’ game, and we have a lot of fun doing it. So, I am just excited to go line it up.”
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Tanuvasa appeared in 24 games at Utah and started in 19 of them, including the 2024 game that ended in heartbreaking fashion for the Utes when Jake Retzlaff drove BYU into field goal range in the final minute and Will Ferrin kicked a 44-yard field goal for the 22-21 Cougars victory.
Often double-teamed, he’s made 16 tackles and been in on one sack this season for the Cougars. Teammates say the captain is the heart and soul of the BYU team, much like he was at Utah.
“The No. 1 thing (that stands out) is his leadership, man,” said fellow defensive lineman Bodie Schoonover. “That guy knows how to get the team going and bring the team together. He is a special guy, for sure. I love Keanu very much.”
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As is the case every year, there are dozens and dozens of close ties between the programs. Tanuvasa and first-year Utah coach Morgan Scalley are so close that Scalley attended Tanuvasa’s wedding and sealing in a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I am not surprised that they’re (8-0) because that’s Morgan’s attitude. That’s coach Scalley’s way of life,” Tanuvasa said. “He is a go-getter, and that man has one of the greatest spirits that I’ve been around in being ruthlessly the best version of himself.
“He’s never satisfied with just OK, or being good, and so them being a great team doesn’t surprise me (because) he’s at the helm of it. … He’s been a mentor to me. He’s a very deliberate and intentional man that I admire and adore.”
Tanuvasa is also a big fan of Utah’s offense, which is coordinated by former BYU graduate assistant Kevin McGiven (2002-04).
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“They can do really whatever they want. They’re very creative, and they have a means by which they execute according to whatever their flavor of the week is,” Tanuvasa said. “They got two great guys in the backfield. They got a great running back. I love the O line, like I mentioned. … We got to be fundamentally sound, with everyone owning their 1/11th on the field.”
Finally, as efforts are being made by both sides — led by the head coaches — to bring more civility to the rivalry, what does Tanuvasa want to say to both fan bases before arguably the most important Utah-BYU football game ever?
“I think my message for the fans is to enjoy it. … These games come around once a year, maybe twice a year if the odds align, so just enjoy and be mindful of other people. Right? We’re still human beings, and we’re still put on this Earth for a greater cause. But man, it’s football season, and this is the greatest rivalry that I’ve been a part of, so let’s just go enjoy it.”
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks with Utah Utes defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) after the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. BYU won 22-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
