Puka Nacua Goes Through Pregame Warmups Before BYU/USF
Sep 3, 2022, 1:27 PM
BYU football wide receiver Puka Nacua was participating in pregame warmups against USF. There were questions about his availability. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
TAMPA, FL – The availability of BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua was an important question coming into the USF game.
Nacua, the former Orem High star, was limited during fall camp. Coaches kept proven players out to ensure they would be healthy for the games in the season. Nacua appears to be one of those cases.
The former Washington Husky transfer was with the BYU team that arrived at Raymond James Stadium around 1:56 p.m. (ET).
#BYU WR Puka Nacua is here at @RJStadium.#BYUFootball #BYUvsUSF pic.twitter.com/MS253zVZQJ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2022
Then after getting off the team bus, Nacua was with his teammates on the practice field going through warmups. He was seen dancing around to the music playing in his headphones. He was then dressed in his uniform when the team returned to the field.
PUKA#BYUvsUSF #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/FO8VCWMCKb
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2022
Last season, Nacua appeared in 12 games and accounted for 43 catches, 805 receiving yards, and six touchdown grabs. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Nacua can potentially be one of the top receivers in college football this season.
Puka Nacua was warming up; Gunner Romney appears to not be in Tampa
On the flip side to seeing Nacua in pregame warmups, some players were missing. Nacua’s wide receiver teammate, Gunner Romney, was not seen getting off the bus or in the pregame warmups.
I haven't seen #BYU WR Gunner Romney off the bus or on the pregame warmup field. #BYUFootball #BYUvsUSF @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2022
Romney participated in week one of fall camp practices, then was absent from the remainder of the practices. He told the KSL Sports Zone earlier this week that he was “hopeful” he would be able to play but that it would be a game-by-game situation.
Another notable absence from the pregame warmups was BYU defensive tackle Atunaisa Mahe. Mahe has been dealing with a shoulder injury that sidelined him throughout fall camp.
No. 25 BYU takes on South Florida in Tampa at 2 p.m. (MT) on ESPNU and KSL NewsRadio, your legacy home of the BYU Cougars.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
