For 2-loss BYU football, Butch Pau'u a rising star at linebacker

PROVO — Nobody likes to lose, and there certainly weren’t a lot of positives to take from BYU’s 17-14 loss to UCLA in the 2016 home opener Saturday night.

But if you were to remember one thing about the 1-2 Cougars’ three-game season so far, mention one name: Butch Pau’u.

The name is spinning like a broken record as Pau'u tops BYU depth charts and statistical category. Only a sophomore and a first-year starter, the Anaheim, California, native has led BYU in tackles for three straight games, including Saturday, when he racked up a career-high 19 tackles (11 of them unassisted) and 2.5 tackles for loss.

“He’s got great instincts,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said of Pau’u. “It’s really no surprise to me. I know a lot of the fans and others haven’t seen much of him, but this is why we felt comfortable with him playing middle linebacker. He’s got great instincts, he’s aggressive, and he likes to hit. That makes a great linebacker.”

Yes, BYU has two losses on the season that started with three straight games against the Pac-12 South. The schedule doesn’t lighten up anytime soon either. Next week brings a trip to the Washington, D.C., area to face West Virginia (2-0), one of two unbeaten teams in the Big 12.

But the play of Pau’u and BYU’s defense gives a glimmer of hope for the Cougars (1-2).

“We prepared really well throughout the week,” Pau’u said. “Coach (Ilaisa) Tuiaki is always great with his schemes. We do a really good job of making sure we execute what he has planned. Our defensive line did a great job of putting pressure, and they still scored touchdowns. But that’s what happens when you play great teams.”

Pau’u’s 19-tackle effort was tied for the most by a BYU defensive player in a single game in the modern era. He tied Uani Unga (2013) and Shad Hansen (1992) for the fourth-most tackles in a single game, just behind Ted Nelson in 1970 and Derwin Gray in 1991.

The former Servite High standout credited his defensive line, coaches and the scout team for his success at various times. Pau’u seems as less likely to take credit for his play as the BYU staff is to take a few inches off his overestimated listed height of 6-foot-0.

Still, teammates agree. While he may be new to the program, Pau’u’s name will belong alongside former BYU greats. Just ask freshman defensive back Troy Warner.

“Butch is a great player,” he said. “It’s always fun being around him because he’s always hitting guys and knowing how to tackle guys. We all kind of mold together and it helps each and every one of us play better. Seeing Butch with 19 tackles is crazy. He is a phenomenal player as well.”

But Pau’u wasn’t thinking much about his record-setting pace Saturday night. His defense still gave up 17 points — and if it had held one touchdown off the board, BYU would be looking at a strongly different 2-1 going into Week 4.

BYU's first three games have been decided by a total of six points. In the two losses, a total of four points separated elation from disappointment. And Pau'u believes that a defense that holds teams to 18 points per game can do even more to make his team better.

“We feel like we can hold offenses to one touchdown, or even less,” Pau’u said with confidence in new defensive coordinator Tuiaki. “We just somehow managed to let bad habits go, and it happens. But we’ll watch film and get better.”

Sitake spotlighted the play of standouts like Pau’u, Fred Warner and Troy Warner, and even Jamaal Williams on the offensive side of the ball. He sidestepped questions about Taysom Hill’s role as the starting quarterback after back-to-back losses.

But there was still one overarching principle that doesn’t sit well with Sitake or his players.

“Nobody is satisfied with losing,” Sitake said. “We’ve just got to find new ways to play, and his leadership is coming out. I think he’s doing a great job in the linebacking group, and getting the D-line set. It was good enough. To hold them to 17 points should be good enough to win.”

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