No. 10 BYU got slammed with a gut punch before their huge game against rival TCU. Senior right tackle Andrew Gentry, a massive part of that O-line, went under the knife Monday morning for a right foot/ankle injury he picked up in the 41-23 win over Colorado State. Talk about brutal timing. Gentry, a Michigan transfer, confirmed on Instagram that what felt like a “mild ankle sprain” was “a little more significant” and he’s now eyeing a return by “the end of the season stronger than ever.” He’s officially off the depth chart for Saturday’s critical road game.
Key Starters Sidelined For Big 12 Road Test
Losing Gentry, the senior right tackle, is a brutal blow to the offensive line’s stability, especially against a team like TCU. True freshman Bott Mulitalo and redshirt freshman Siosiua Latu-Finau are now stepping up to fill that massive hole. But Gentry isn’t the only one out; starting linebacker Siale Esera, who got banged up in the 28-17 win over Arizona, is still off the depth chart too. Head coach Kalani Sitake kept it real, saying both Gentry and Esera are “questionable” for the first Big 12 road game and more info will drop Wednesday. He’s trying to be transparent, which you gotta respect, adding that the “worst case is that they won’t be ready.” That’s the college game, though, right? Injuries are part of it.
Some Good News Amid The Chaos?
It’s not all doom and gloom on the injury front, thank goodness. After their bye last weekend, the Cougars are getting some firepower back. Tight end Roger Saleapaga, right guard Kyle Sfarcioc, and backup receiver/returner Tiger Bachmeier, who all sat out the Colorado State game, are set to be back in action. Plus, Coach Sitake sounds confident in his squad’s depth. Sophomores Nusi Taumoepeau and Cannon DeVries, freshman Braxton Lindsey, and junior Kansas State transfer Jake Clifton have all seen their roles expand in Esera’s absence, with the defense frequently running five defensive backs. It means these guys have had plenty of reps in the first three weeks, so they should be ready to roll.
Long Haul Ahead, But Coach Isn’t Sweating The Numbers
The Cougars are staring down nine straight games without another bye, but Sitake isn’t worried. He said they prepped in the offseason for 13 straight weeks of play, getting into that mindset from day one. Whether the bye came early or late, it was always going to be a “work week” for them. And hey, even though they slipped from No. 9 to No. 10 in the AP Top 25 during their bye week, Sitake is shrugging it off. Rankings don’t bother him before or after. It’s all about what happens on the field.
So, this Saturday at 5 p.m. MDT on ESPN, it’s No. 10 BYU against rival TCU in their first Big 12 road game. It’s a massive test of their depth and resilience, especially with key guys like Gentry potentially out. This one’s gonna be a grinder, and we’ll see if the backups can step up big time!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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