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PROVO — There's an old adage in journalism, "I don't care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right."
It's a burden shared by many BYU players — Eathyn Manumaleuna, Kaneakua Friel, Jherremya Leuta-Douyere and Robertson Daniel.
Over the years, Daniel has received high praise, just not for Robertson Daniel. It's always Daniel Robertson.
"If they do get it right, they say Daniels," points out the singular Daniel. "I have not met a person that's gotten it right the first time."
I have not met a person that's gotten it right the first time.
–Robertson Daniel
Robertson is a family name. Daniel's father's name is Robert and he is his son, ergo, Robertson — Robert's son prefers to be called Rob.
If Texas coaches are like every other coach in America, they don't know if it's Robert, Daniels or Danielson, because he'll, simply and efficiently, be known as No. 4.
In the season opener, Virginia decided to challenge No. 4 early and often. The junior-college transfer answered the call by breaking up two passes in the Wahoo's first series.
"I kind of knew they were going to test me," Daniel said. "Who wouldn't in that situation?"
The situation was that the BYU cornerback position has been decimated by injuries. They lost Jordan Johnson and JUCO transfer Trent Trammell to season ending ACL injuries, as well as, Sam Lee to a back injury. Freshman Dallin Leavitt has been hobbled in fall camp and senior Mike Hague continues to battle a knee inury.
Robertson Daniel had never played a Division I game and was playing field corner, instead of his natural position of boundary corner. "Playing boundary is more physical, press game and that's what I like to do, but field corner you are playing 8 to 10 (yards) off and it's more of a finesse part of the game, so I had to make a big adjustment," said Daniel.
"Injuries happen, so you got to be ready to take on the role that's given to you. It was easy," said Daniel.
Who's going to argue?
Of all the problems in the season opener, cornerbacks were not on that list.
Daniel is a 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back from New York and was confident that he would and could start his first big time college football game. "You got to stay positive," said Daniel.
He finished with six tackles and a pair of pass-breakups.
Expect Texas to continue to test the BYU secondary after a UT-record-setting 715 yard performance against New Mexico State last weekend in a 56-7 blowout.
Players aren't much different than coaches — they see numbers, not names — and Daniel is prepared for the vertical attack of Longhorn wideout Mike Davis, "As far as No. 1 (Davis), I see they love to throw him the ball, early downs, deep."
Texas football is an institution, dressed in history and majesty, but that doesn't intimidate the son of Robert, "I definitely get excited, because it's something to prove. It's a chance to show that you should be playing at this level and I'm going to take on the challenge."
