BYU sets single-game sack high in Kalani Sitake era against Arizona State
Oct 31, 2026, 3:33 PM
PROVO — In the Kalani Sitake era, BYU football has not been known for generating sacks.
That’s changing under first-year defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga. Particularly on Saturday against Arizona State.
During the Halloween afternoon tilt with the Sun Devils, BYU’s defense set a Kalani Sitake-era record for sacks generated. And they did it all in the first half.
It's the first time in the Kalani Sitake era that BYU has recorded six sacks in a game.
The previous high was five (four times). pic.twitter.com/gtRz2mu1U5
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 31, 2026
BYU football recorded six sacks in the first half against Arizona State
BYU’s defense recorded six sacks in the first half against Arizona State. That’s the highest total of sacks in a game by a Kalani Sitake-coached BYU football team.
The previous high was five on four occasions, most recently against Navy in 2020.
BYU football faced an Arizona State team starting freshman quarterback Jake Fette. It was Fette’s first career start, and Kelly Poppinga’s defense was dialing up the heat.
What’s even more impressive is that six different players generated the six sacks.
Generating HAVOC
It started with Nusi Taumoepeau on the first defensive series of the game with a bone-crushing sack on Fette that caused him to fumble the ball and set BYU’s offense up with a short field to open the game.
Other players with sacks included Miles Hall, Ace Kaufusi on an intentional grounding by Jake Fette, Bodie Schoonover, Cade Uluave, and Isaiah Glasker.
Entering Saturday’s game, BYU had 12 sacks through the first seven games of the season.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
