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Provo • Midway through his sophomore season, BYU's Kai Nacua was suddenly playing backup quarterback, thrust into the role after Taysom Hill suffered a season-ending injury against Utah State. Christian Stewart was the new starter, but the cupboard was bare beyond that and Nacua was moved over, having played quarterback in high school.
Then safety Craig Bills was injured against Central Florida, and Nacua was put into the game at his original position in the secondary. He has developed into one of the best defensive backs in the country.
"I ended up getting my first pick and from there on, I just kinda started rolling," Nacua said.
On Tuesday, the senior from Las Vegas who has Samoan and Hawaiian ancestry was named one of five finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award along with Utah's Lowell Lotulelei, USC's Juju Smith-Schuster, Colorado's Sefo Liufau and Louisville's Cole Hikutini. The winner will be announced Dec. 8.
Nacua, who was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back), is tied for sixth in the country this season with five interceptions. He has made 13 picks in his career, tied for fifth in BYU history with Tom Holmoe and Bob Prested.
His most memorable interception, and favorite moment at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Nacua said on Monday, was the pick against Boise State in 2015 that he turned into a touchdown to seal the 35-24 win over the Broncos.
The play was especially sweet for Nacua because he had to sit out the season opener at Nebraska for his role in the worst moment of his career, the brawl that erupted at the conclusion of the Miami Beach Bowl in 2014.
As his final game at LaVell Edwards Stadium approaches, Nacua is hoping for one last interception to put a stamp on his brilliant career that was almost moved to the other side of the ball.
"My last game at LES. It is going to be crazy," he said of Saturday's 8:15 p.m. finale against Utah State. "I know I'm going to enjoy the moment with the fans and my boys. It hasn't hit me too hard yet, but it will on game day. Every game walking out there and coming through the tunnel is a rush. I get goose bumps every time. I love the feeling."
Punter will return in 2017
BYU punter Jonny Linehan, the former rugby star, has been listed as a senior on the roster all season, but on Monday he announced that he still has a year of eligibility remaining and will return in 2017.
"After talking with my family and my coaches, I have decided to stay at BYU to continue my studies and play football as a graduate student in 2017," Linehan posted on Twitter.
Linehan said he will graduate in April with a degree in finance.
A rugby-style punter, Linehan has averaged 42.9 yards per punt.
Honoring the seniors
Just before kickoff on Saturday night, BYU will honor 21 seniors who will be playing their final games at LaVell Edwards Stadium and the players will receive their traditional senior blankets.
Here is the list of players who will be honored:
Defensive back Chris Badger, DB Michael Davis, OL Andrew Eide, QB Taysom Hill, OL Kyle Johnson, WR Garrett Juergens, WR Mitchell Juergens, DL Harvey Langi, DB Kai Nacua, DL Logan Taele, DL Sae Tautu, RB Jamaal Williams, RB Algernon Brown, OL Parker Dawe, LB Austin Heder, RB Toloa'i Ho Ching, WR Nick Kurtz, DL Maurice Maxwell, WR Colby Pearson, DB Eric Takenaka, DL Travis Tuiloma.
Briefly
Saturday's game is a blackout game, and BYU players will wear black jerseys, black pants and black helmets. Fans are encouraged to wear black and dress warmly, with temperatures expected to be in the low 40s at kickoff. … Head coaches Kalani Sitake of BYU and Matt Wells of Utah State are among 19 head coaches currently coaching at their alma mater. Of the 19 new FBS head coaches this season, Sitake is just one of six who has or can finish the regular season with a winning record.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Utah State at BYU
P Saturday, 8:15 p.m.
TV • ESPNU