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Provo • The Cougars were more short-handed than expected on Saturday night against UCLA.

Defensive backs Kai Nacua and Austin McChesney were suspended in the first half after being ejected in the third quarter last week against Utah.

But BYU also played the entire game without starting right tackle Ului Lapuaho, a junior, due to a leg injury. Sophomore Austin Hoyt started in Lapuaho's place.

The Cougars were already without two projected starters on the O-line, Brad Wilcox and Kyle Johnson.

Senior Travis Tuiloma did some light warming up before the game, but missed his third straight contest with the Lisfranc foot injury he suffered in last year's Las Vegas Bowl. Backup linebacker Grant Jones (upper body injury) also did not play.

Defensive back Troy Warner and running back Jamaal Williams were listed as "game-time decisions" before kickoff, but both played. Williams had the game's first carry and also caught a 39-yard pass on BYU's third play, the longest of the season for the Cougars to that point.

Senior receiver Mitchell Juergens took a big hit during BYU's first drive and did not return in the first half.

Culture change

BYU graduate assistant Jan Jorgensen, a former defensive lineman who caused a fumble and had a sack in BYU's 59-0 win over UCLA in 2008, has now played and coached under Bronco Mendenhall and coached under Kalani Sitake.

Jorgensen says there is a "huge difference" in the overall cultures established by the two coaches, but doesn't believe one way is better than the other.

"There is more than one way to skin a cat," Jorgensen said. "And you see coaches that are more of the relaxed, player-coaches, like Kalani, win a lot of football games. Then you see the more military-like, structured coaches like coach Mendenhall, who win a lot of football games. You can be effective doing it both ways."

Jorgensen is in the second of three available years as a GA and plans to remain in coaching as long as he can.

"To say that there is not a different culture around here, I would be lying, because there is a huge difference between the two," he said. "I think where it becomes overstated is one way is the right way, one way is the wrong way."

Showing up for Sitake

The line to get into the student section, known as the ROC, wrapped around the stadium before the game. Students almost had their section filled an hour before kickoff. Students and fans in some sections received blue or white T-shirts when they got to their seats.

"I have seen some loyal fans before, but this Cougar Walk is like nothing I've ever experienced," BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki tweeted before the game. "Cougar Nation is in full force tonight."

Briefly

Former BYU players Eddie Stinnett, Eathyn Manumaleuna and Kevin Feterik carried the alumni flags onto the field before the game. Manumaleuna partially blocked a field goal attempt to preserve BYU's 17-16 win over the Bruins in the 2007 Las Vegas Bowl. Stinnett is from Ohio and played in 1982-83. Feterik (1996-99) is from Los Alamitos, Calif. … Receiver Nick Kurtz and defensive back carried out the team flags. … Scouts from the NFL's Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons and CFL's BC Lions attended the game. … Also in attendance was a representative from the Poinsettia Bowl. The Cougars will play in that bowl game on Dec. 21 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego if they are bowl eligible.

Twitter: @drewjay