If anyone wondered how BYU senior defensive lineman Uriah “Lopa” Leiataua feels about the criticism of the Cougar defensive line and the defensive scheme, listening to him talk about it during Monday’s press conference should have been a pretty clear indication.

“I see what a lot of people say about our defensive line and I want to just talk back but I know I shouldn’t,” Leiataua said. “I’m just going to say this: Our defensive line cares. They believe in the scheme. They’ll sacrifice their necks, their knees, their whole body for the scheme. I just wanted to make sure that everyone knows that.”

He said that everyone on the BYU defensive line is “banged up” but added that “none of them complain about it.”

The senior said that playing in a scheme where there are often only three linemen is a huge challenge.

“Playing D-line in this scheme is tough,” Leiataua said. “You’ve got to be one tough son of a gun. It’s not a sexy defense. We know everyone wants to see lots of sacks and those things, but when you are taking on double and triple teams, that’s how the cookie crumbles. But I don’t think anyone in our room would give it up for anything else.”

It’s not unusual to see BYU fans on social media expressing frustration with how the Cougars have organized their defensive approach, often going so far as to demand coaching changes.

BYU defensive lineman/linebacker Pepe Tanuvasa said Tuesday that he tries not to pay attention to those rumblings because his focus is on doing his job.

“It can be frustrating (to see those criticisms),” Tanuvasa said. “I try to stay away from that. I know my role. I know my assignment. I know that I’m doing my assignment. I take comfort in that and I know that what we’re doing is effective. We’re 6-2 so far, and so it’s hard to argue with that.”

He believes that the BYU defenders understand the philosophy and know that when they take care of their individual duties, the defense will get the job done.

“I think it just takes a lot of buy in from the guys and a lot of discipline from the players,” Tanuvasa said. “Our philosophy is different from other defenses, but it’s effective. We have assignments that might not mimic other defenses that have a different philosophy, but all of our guys have bought in and they’re bought into those assignments. We trust the guys in coverage and they trust us. It’s a complimentary defense that we’re trying to play. The rush and the coverage work together and that’s the goal.”

Cougar defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki takes most of the flack from those who disagree with the approach but said he appreciates how the players view their responsibilities.

“I think that speaks volumes to just the type of players and kids that we have in the program,” Tuiaki said. “With the amount of games that we have won in the last two years, I think it’s because players like that are completely bought in. It’s sometimes frustrating even for a guy like Lopa (Leiataua) who is coming back off of a COVID year for his senior year and has been rotating, sometimes starting, sometimes not. For a guy to be selfless and to be all in to what we’re doing and competing and just trying to find a way to contribute, I think that is reason why you have a team that succeeds because we have a lot of players like that.”

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