What Does BYU Do Without Ty’Son Williams?

PROVO, Utah – It’s a headline BYU fans have become all-too familiar with. Another rising star of the program has had their season cut short due injury.

No one wants to see a student athlete hurt – ripping, tearing, separating, or breaking their hopes for the season and a potential career in the NFL.

Where does this leave the Cougars, and why does this always seem to happen to BYU Football?

That question (in various formats) has risen to No. 1 in my power poll of inquiries this week, following a season-ending ACL injury to BYU senior running back Ty’Son Williams in the second quarter against Washington.

Nothing but respect and admiration for this young man. He’s a stand-up human being. Humble and classy. What an impact on @BYUfootball in just a few games. 👏🏼 Wishing you a full recovery @juicewilliams__ ! You are destined for greatness. 🙏🏼👊🏼#ForeverBYU#BYU #BYUSN pic.twitter.com/2LCyrmaME6

— Spencer Linton (@Spencer_Linton) September 23, 2019

Why do BYU’s stars always get hurt?

My auto reply: Well, it doesn’t always happen. This time, however, I felt compelled to dig deeper. You know what? It’s a totally fair question.

Maybe the superlative rhetoric isn’t that far off. The trend is startling to say the least. Whether you wear the blue goggles or not, there’s no denying that BYU Football has encountered more than their fair share of notable injuries to prominent skill position players since the Cougars opted for independence in 2011. By notable, I mean either “season-ending,” or “multiple games missed” scenarios.

Let’s name a few in this 8-year span of independence, shall we?

Injured Quarterbacks:

• Riley Nelson
  Suffered shoulder injury against Florida State during Week 3 of the 2010 season.
• Taysom Hill x4 (Utah State, anyone?)
  Knee injury against Utah State in 2012, broken leg against Utah State in 2014, lisfranc fracture against Nebraska in the 2015 season opener, hyper-extended elbow against Utah State in 2016.
• Tanner Mangum
  Achilles injury against Fresno State in 2017.
• Beau Hoge
  Toe injury against (cough!) Utah State in 2017, then reaggravated it during the Fresno State game the next week, requiring surgery.

Injured Running Backs:

• Jamaal Williams x2
  Head injury against Utah in 2013 and carted off the field. Knee injury against Middle Tennessee State in 2014.
• Algernon Brown
  Ankle injury in 2014. Knee injury in 2015
• Squally Canada
  Concussion in 2018
• Lopini Katoa

Now it’s graduate transfer Ty’Son Williams. Not to mention safety Zayne Anderson who was hurt during the same game, and will miss the remainder of the season. Or defensive end Corbin Kafusi who suffered a season-ending injury in 2018.

Unfortunately my 2019 season has come to an end due to an ACL year in my left knee. Having no regrets as every time I gave it my all when I was out there. I appreciate all my family and friends reaching out as I always say “I love y’all.”

— Ty'Son Williams (@juicewilliams__) September 22, 2019

I could go on, but you get the point.

In fact, it’s been seven years since BYU’s leading running back played in every game. Seven years? Seven years (Jamaal Williams – 2012, via Greg Wrubell).

Is this a normal situation for most Division 1 programs? I would guess not, but it’s 100 percent BYU’s reality regardless of what’s happening in other programs

Back to the original question. Why does this always seem to happen to BYU Football?

Let’s examine some of the more common answers and opinions in my observed casual and social-media conversations.

“BYU can’t handle these types of schedules.”

“The Cougars take a beating. I mean, four straight Power 5 opponents? What do you expect?”

“BYU is cursed. They have the worst luck.”

“Maybe it’s an issue with the strength and conditioning program.”

It goes on and on.

For the record, I don’t think it’s as simple as any one of those things, and I’m not validating any of the specific reasons listed above. I will validate this. Football is a violent sport. Injuries are an unfortunate, deflating part of the game. I hate to see it when it happens, every… single… time.

It's Matich Monday on today's #BYUSN. @TMatich thinks William's season-ending injury will have a HUGE impact on the season. What kind of effect do you think this injury and others will have going forward?#BYUSN #BYUFOOTBALL #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/BzSdB7WsXt

— BYU Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) September 23, 2019

Quite frankly, at this point it seems fruitless to debate whether or not BYU is “cursed” or has “worse luck” than other programs, or even dwell on WHY this happens to the Cougars.

What really matters is how BYU solves their immediate void. Who steps up at running back now? Who’s the next guy to assume the starting role and fill the seemingly unfillable shoes of a talent like Williams? Now for some real answers.

The Candidates:

Emmanuel Esukpa – Another graduate transfer via Rice University and a connection with BYU running backs coach A.J. Steward. The senior showed some promise and a burst in BYU’s 45-19 loss to then no. 22 Washington last Saturday (9 rushes for 49 yards and a touchdown), but he only has 18 total carries and 80 yards through the first four games.  Are the 20-ish touches a game Williams was receiving too much to expect from Esukpa moving forward? Is he the guy, or will it be a committee approach?

Lopini Katoa – Katoa assumed a larger role when Squally Canada bowed out due to an injury in 2018, and seemed in line to be the no. 1 guy before Williams and Esukpa made their way to Provo in the transfer portal. Katoa’s numbers this season are marginal, at best.  11 carries, 23 yards (2.1 average) and 4 catches for 20 yards.  BYU begins a key “Group of 5” stretch now with games against Toledo (this Saturday), USF, Boise State and Utah State approaching.  It should be noted: Katoa shone brightest against G5 teams last season. Is it his time to shine again?

Sione Finau – It’s unlikely that the redshirt freshman Finau will see much of an increased role with Esukpa and Katoa in place, but if – heaven forbid – another running back injury takes place, Finau, a former star at Kearns High School (8.2 yds per carry and 16 touchdowns his senior season), is the next guy in line.

Tyler Allgeier – Allgeier saw limited carries in 2018 due to numerous injuries in the running backs group, (9 rushes, 49 yards), but has recently moved positions to play linebacker. Head Coach Kalani Sitake says Allgeier is “capable of playing both positions,” but it appears he’s primarily a linebacker for the time being.

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Those are your candidates and prospective answers to the most important question at hand.

Who’s the next BYU running back? 

My opinion? A committee approach from the Cougars and offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes seems situationally imminent.

Both Esukpa and Katoa have been listed as potential starters this Saturday in Toledo. Don’t be surprised to see a 60/40 ratio of these two against Toledo.

Is that the winning ratio for BYU? That’s just become the NEW No. 1 question in my power poll of inquiries this week.

Ty'son Williams leaves some big shoes to fill. Who needs to step up for the remainder of the season? @jaromjordan gives his two cents.#BYUSN #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/Hion7tHG7f

— BYU Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) September 23, 2019