BYU Star WRs Puka Nacua, Gunner Romney Reportedly Out For Baylor Game
Sep 9, 2022, 1:50 PM | Updated: 3:44 pm
BYU football will reportedly be without wide receivers Gunner Romney (pictured) and Puka Nacua against No. 9 Baylor. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – BYU football will reportedly be without their top two receivers against No. 9 Baylor.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Friday that the Cougars would be without Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney for Saturday night’s Top 25 clash.
Sources: BYU’s two top receivers will miss the game against No. 9 Baylor on Saturday night. Both Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney will not play for the No. 21 Cougars. https://t.co/7GLnt3japK
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 9, 2022
Last week during the Cougars’ win over USF, BYU was without Gunner Romney due to an undisclosed injury he suffered during fall camp.
“It’s a weird thing because I actually feel really good. But, you know, it’s kind of a week-by-week thing where it’s really up to the doctors and trainers to clear me,” said Romney to the KSL Sports Zone on September 6. “I’ve been running around, been feeling pretty much 100%. But, it’s just a matter of taking care of my health and putting my health first. And so, it’s kind of a frustrating thing but hopefully, I’m ready for this week. I’m preparing like I’m going to play. I’ve just got to get that green light.”
Nacua, who was dealing with a hamstring injury in fall camp, played against the Bulls, accounting for two BYU touchdowns. Including a 75-yard touchdown on the opening offensive play of the season on a jet sweep run, he took to the house.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver left the USF game due to an injury he suffered on another jet sweep carry. Nacua was seen walking out of Raymond James Stadium on crutches and with a boot on his right foot.
BYU football coach Kalani Sitake said after the win over USF that the boot was “precautionary” and that all the initial X-rays for Nacua say, “it’s good.”
Key receiving targets to watch for BYU football
During BYU’s win over USF, led by quarterback Jaren Hall, the Cougars completed passes to 12 different receivers. Look for the top receivers to include Brayden Cosper, Keanu Hill, Chase Roberts, Kody Epps, and Terence Fall. Tight ends Isaac Rex, Dallin Holker, and Masen Wake will also be key factors in the passing game, along with running backs Chris Brooks and Lopini Katoa.
Last season, Baylor defeated BYU in Waco, 38-24.
No. 21 BYU vs. No. 9 Baylor
Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM – pregame begins at 6 p.m.)
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.
