BYU linebacker Pau'u out with injury against Toledo


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PROVO — The BYU defense's ability to stop a high-octane Toledo offense that averaged 42 points per game took a hit Friday.

Middle linebacker and leading tackler Butch Pau’u will not play in the Cougars’ return home against the Rockets, scheduled for 8:15 p.m. MDT on ESPN2 and KSL NewsRadio, head coach Kalani Sitake confirmed during his pregame radio interview.

Sitake also mentioned cornerback Troy Warner is doubtful for the evening's contest.

The redshirt sophomore injured his knee in the Cougars’ 35-32 loss to West Virginia, and Pau’u has been trying to recover with one fewer day to get ready for Toledo (3-0).

A relative unknown prior to the season, Pau’u burst on the scene as a starter necessitated by Harvey Langi’s move to defensive end. The 6-foot, 223-pound linebacker has a team-best 50 tackles in four games with six tackles for loss, one sack and one interception.

Pau’u rose on the national radar with his gut-busting 19 tackles against UCLA, then followed the next week with his first career interception against the Mountaineers.

Austin Heder and Philip Amone are listed as the backups to Pau’u at middle linebacker on this week’s depth chart.

Johnny Tapusoa, who missed BYU’s first four games with an injury, could also see significant time in place of Pau’u. Defensive tackle Travis Tuiloma also returns to BYU after playing the first half against West Virginia.

The Rockets averaged routed their first three opponents Arkansas State and FCS Maine before a 52-17 win over Fresno State that preceded last week's bye.

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Sean Walker

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