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BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki said last week that the Cougars "have to stay healthy at the D-line spot" for the defense to flourish this season.

After Tuesday morning's practice, however, defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi delivered some bad news. Senior nose tackle Travis Tuiloma "is probably a month away" from being able to play due to a Lisfranc foot injury he suffered against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl last December, Kaufusi said.

Tuiloma's shaky status has been known for months, but there was a bit of optimism on Monday when the depth chart was released and he was listed as the starter at nose tackle for the Arizona game. Turns out, that was probably just wishful thinking on the part of the coaching staff, or perhaps a little bit of misdirection.

"Travis is going to be a game-day decision," coach Kalani Sitake said Monday. "We will have to wait and see. It is one of those things that is hard for me to say right now, how it is going to work. We have to plan to play without him. If he is ready to go, then that will be a bonus."

Sitake didn't address the media on Tuesday, but DC Tuiaki did and was asked for the hundredth time to describe the defense's identity.

I have been asked that question, like, nine million times. It is the same [answer]. It is about the kids. It is about the program. It is about what it has been for decades: It is tough, smart football, doing things the right way, on and off the field. I think these kids exemplify how that is," he said.

Tuiaki also confirmed that BYU is preparing two face both outstanding Arizona quarterbacks, Anu Solomon and Brandon Dawkins (who BYU safety Kai Nacua called "Brian Dawkins" on Monday).

"They are both good. I think they are both good quarterbacks, so either or," Tuiaki said. "One [Dawkins] is a little bit faster than the other, but they are both slippery. They both give you problems by running the ball. We have defended Anu Solomon the last three years. He is not as fast, but he is slippery. He knows how to make guys miss and get out of the pocket. It is not just the film that I've watched against us — it is everybody that he plays. He is a playmaker."

Sitake said Monday that both QBs will likely play, but the preparation is similar because both throw it and run with it well.

"Just like Tanner and Taysom, they have their strengths, and they have their weaknesses. But I think they are really strong in that system that they run. I think they are very similar in a lot of ways. One might throw better and one might be a better runner.

It has been a lot of time since the bowl game. They've had plenty of time to improve. I have seen players improve a bunch in a matter of weeks, and they have been given months. So we will prepare for the best quarterback who can run and throw at the same time, and we will see who shows up."

There were a couple of surprises in the defensive two-deep chart released on Monday, most notably basketballer Corbin Kaufusi as the backup at left defensive end and freshman returned missionary Austin McChesney as the back at right corner.

Tuiaki said Kaufusi will play against Arizona.

"I think he has come along fast in his development. I didn't think that he would catch on as fast as he is now," Tuiaki said. "He is reacting really, really fast with just seeing blocks and squeezing blocks and not being caught out in space. He covers so much space, too, and so that helps. But I mean, he has blocked a punt in some of our scrimmages. He has batted balls down. There have been some times when you tell him to stay away from the quarterback, to protect the quarterback, and he is ducking, and he is still in the way. He is going to add a lot to us, with just his size and his speed."

Tuiaki said Kaufusi is rotating with the twos at defensive line.

We have got five D ends that we feel comfortable playing right now. The other guys are still in development stage. But he will definitely get some time," he said.

As for McChesney, a walk-on from Lone Peak High, Tuiaki said he has also developed quickly in camp.

"Coach Jernarno [Gilford] has done a good job developing those kids," he said. "A lot of young kids, a lot of new kids at that spot. And he's come along, and he's developed. He surprised us with how fast he was. Austin is a fast player, and he has to get his technique down, and develop more consistency.

The other thing is, being a returned missionary and not too long off his mission, as much as we run, sometimes he gets a nagging injury, a hammy. But he can run. We are excited about him there."