BYU defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa shared his admiration for Utah head coach Morgan Scalley during a press conference on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. Tanuvasa, who played his first two seasons at Utah before transferring to BYU, noted his strong personal connections to the Utah program despite the upcoming rivalry game.
Tanuvasa described Scalley as a mentor who attended his wedding and was present when he was sealed. He stated he is excited to face Scalley on the opposing side during the matchup scheduled for this Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Tanuvasa also expressed his appreciation for Rice-Eccles Stadium, calling it one of his favorite stadiums in the country.
The BYU coaching staff is also monitoring the availability of running back LJ Martin. Martin has been out of the lineup since suffering a leg injury during a game against TCU on Oct. 3. While the initial recovery was estimated at four to six weeks, head coach Kalani Sitake said the team will evaluate Martin's status over the next 48 hours to determine if he can play against Utah.
Other injuries affecting the BYU roster include a leg injury sustained by cornerback Evan Johnson during a loss to UCF. Sitake noted that players must participate in Tuesday and Wednesday practices to be considered for gameplay. Neither Martin nor Johnson appeared on the depth chart released on Monday.
The upcoming game against Utah is scheduled for a 10 a.m. local kickoff, an earlier start time than many expected. Sitake suggested the time change might primarily affect fan tailgating schedules rather than the flow of the game. BYU last played a local game with a 10 a.m. start time in 2023 during a loss to Oklahoma.
Tanuvasa is also preparing for the arrival of his first son, noting that his wife's delivery date is approaching within six days.
