Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — Every time BYU’s defense and special teams made a big play in Saturday’s 30-3 win over FCS McNeese State, it seemed like Corbin Kaufusi was in the area.
With the Cougars trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, Kaufusi extended his 6-foot-9 frame and blocked Gunnar Raborn’s field-goal attempt.
When McNeese quarterback James Tabary threw an interception right into the hands of BYU safety Tanner Jacobson, the play began with Kaufusi collapsing the pocket and — had Tabary waited two more seconds before making the throw — earning a sack.
But every time Kaufusi made a big play, his grandfather was right there with him.
Petelo Kaufusi recently passed away, leaving the younger Kaufusi with a heavy heart as he suited up for his first home football game since the Kaufusi patriarch's passing.
“We were really happy for him,” said Kaufusi, who also had five tackles and a sack. “It was his time to go, but we were really happy to be able to put out that performance for him.
“He loved BYU football.”
The 79-year-old Petelo Kaufusi was the father of former BYU defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi, who stepped down in the offseason to pursue other professional opportunities.
Petelo Kaufusi had four grandsons playing for BYU in Saturday’s win over the No.10 FCS team in the country, including Corbin and his brother Devin Kaufusi, as well as cousins Jackson Kaufusi and Isaiah Kaufusi.
“To have all of us get in and do something was really great for the family,” Corbin Kaufusi said.
Though Lopini Katoa ran for two touchdowns, and Tanner Mangum capped another offensive series with a 7-yard touchdown strike to Talon Shumway, the Kaufusis — who all play defense — had as much to do with BYU’s win that propelled them to No. 20 in the latest Associated Press Top 25.
Devin Kaufusi was next to his older brother, stuffing the run on the defensive line, while Isaiah and Jackson Kaufusi each made one tackle in the second half to help keep the Cowboys (3-1) out of the end zone.
But perhaps Corbin Kaufusi’s biggest impact was on that special teams’ play, the field-goal block that Troy Warner returned to the 44-yard line that set up BYU’s first touchdown — and eliminated their 3-0 first-quarter deficit.
“We’re strong believers that special teams is one-third of the game, and it’s one of those times where big plays can be made,” Kaufusi said. “Special teams is literally a big-play down — whether it’s a field goal, a punt, or a blocked kick. That’s the time to make a big play.”
Those moments also represent emotional lifts for offensive and defensive players, who are usually more-often credited for winning football games.
But BYU’s stars know different.
“I think that was a huge momentum shifter, and special teams made a great play,” said Katoa, who ran for a game-high 64 yards in his heaviest workload of his redshirt freshman season. “We were able to capitalize on it, and that was what we needed as an offense to get going.”
The Cougars (3-1) also got a lift from head coach Kalani Sitake, who brought the team together into massive huddle after the first quarter and was fully animated in his sideline demeanor.
After the game, Sitake said he had a simple message for his team — that he loved them, and they they needed to have fun.
Maybe it was a message that Kaufusi’s grandfather would’ve appreciated it. He certainly would have been pleased with his heirs’ response.
“It was that we were doing something wrong,” Corbin Kaufusi said. “We just weren’t having enough fun. There wasn’t enough energy, and we had to pick it up.”
BYU continues the 2018 season at No. 11 Washington (3-1) next Saturday at 6:30 p.m. MT (Fox, KSL Newsradio).
