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Las Vegas • Leaving here after stellar high school careers in southern Nevada just felt right for BYU safeties Kai Nacua and Michael Wadsworth. Returning to their hometown for the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl feels even better.

Wadsworth, a senior, grew up in Orem but played four years at Silverado High in Las Vegas while his father served as an LDS mission president in the area. Nacua, a junior, was born here and played at Liberty High in Henderson.

The Cougars' leader in tackles (Wadsworth) and leader in interceptions (Nacua) will attempt to slow down Utah and senior quarterback Travis Wilson, the reigning Las Vegas Bowl MVP, on Saturday when the rivals collide at Sam Boyd Stadium. Wadsworth has made 79 tackles and has been called the Cougars' best tackler many times this season by coach Bronco Mendenhall. Nacua is tied for fifth in the country with six interceptions and has been called one of the best athletes on the team, if not the best, by Mendenhall.

"It is a great way to end the season and my time at BYU," Wadsworth said. "I couldn't be more excited about the venue, or the team we are playing."

Nacua seconded his secondary partner's excitement.

"It feels really nice to be back," Nacua said. "Hopefully we can come out with a 'W' and make it extra special."

Suffice it to say, BYU's defense would be less special without the two playmakers.

"They are both starters in the secondary at positions that are vital to our team," Mendenhall said Wednesday before the Cougars practiced in Las Vegas for the first time. "I am glad they are both with us."

Nacua's season has been one of redemption, while Wadsworth's has been one of emergence.

After spending more than 100 hours in the offseason performing community service for his role in the Miami Beach Bowl fight that erupted after Memphis' 55-48 double-overtime win over the Cougars, and sitting out the first game of the season against Nebraska, Nacua has been BYU's most valuable defender, along with defensive end Bronson Kaufusi.

He said Wednesday that he's not sure if BYU fans have forgiven him for throwing sucker punches at Memphis players that were viewed by millions of people and cast the school in a negative light, but he's at peace with himself.

"That is completely up to them," Nacua said. "I don't pay much attention to that. Hopefully, I have made it seem like I am a better guy than what I did before and that it shows on Saturday."

Nacua didn't take long after the suspension to make his presence felt. He tied a school record with three interceptions in the 35-24 win over Boise State the following week, and returned one 50 yards for a touchdown.

"So far, I think I've had a pretty good season," he said. "I still have a lot to improve on and I will try and improve this game. So, we will see."

Wadsworth didn't start in the Nebraska game either, but was inserted into the game when other Cougar defensive backs were having trouble tackling. He made a key stop in the fourth quarter that allowed BYU to regain possession and eventually win on a Hail Mary pass from Tanner Mangum to Mitch Mathews.

He started the next game, and the transfer from Hawaii has been perhaps the biggest surprise of this year's team.

Saturday's game will mean he has come full circle, Wadsworth said.

"As long as we prepare like we have throughout the season, and as long as we are assignment-sound and trust one another, we should be able to play well against anyone," he said.

After the game, the players will say goodbye to Mendenhall and their secondary coach, Nick Howell, but both said it hasn't been a big distraction in the weeks since Mendenhall announced he was heading to Virginia — and taking Howell and other assistant coaches with him.

"The coaches have done an excellent job of handling it really professionally," Wadsworth said. "We just got to work and once we had that meeting with Bronco, we came back after the weekend, and met again, and everything was out in the open, and people were just ready to get to work. It is Utah, so you don't need any added motivation, or anything else to get you up for the game."

drew@sltrib.com Twitter: @drewjay —

BYU's southern Nevada safeties

Player Year GP Tackles TFL Ints.

Michael Wadsworth Senior 12 79 2.5 0

Kai Nacua Junior 11 58 1.5 6