The BYU-Utah football game is still a long way off and the player in the middle of the rivalry isn’t thinking about it too much — yet. Keanu Tanuvasa started at defensive tackle for the Utes last year and after a transfer, he will start at the same position for BYU when the rivals meet Oct. 18 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
“I haven’t given it much thought because I’m trying to focus on what I can do here,” said the 6-foot-4, 301-pound junior. “My focus is on us, my ability, our team and the unity of us and being the best version of us as opposed to (worrying) about who is coming to us.”
Tanuvasa isn’t the first player to switch sides in the rivalry. Tight end Carsen Ryan made the same move from Utah to BYU this winter. Prior to those two, the last to do it was receiver Samson Nacua, who left the Utes in 2022 and suited up for the Cougars in 2023. He caught a touchdown pass for BYU against Utah in the Cougars’ 26-17 victory.
Other notables to play for both sides in one of college football’s most storied rivalries include linebacker/running back Harvey Langi, who started at Utah and finished at BYU. Linebacker Francis Bernard and defensive end Devin Kaufusi both started their careers in Provo and wrapped them up in Salt Lake City.
Ties that bind
When you consider the staffers, the ties that bind run much deeper. BYU’s Kalani Sitake, Jay Hill, Aaron Roderick, Justin Ena, and Sione Po’uha are all former Utah coaches while Kyle Whittingham, Jason Beck, Freddie Whittingham, Micah Simon and Mark Atuaia are all former ...
