BYU Standout Puka Nacua Leaves USF Game With Injury

TAMPA, FL – BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua saw his impactful play against USF end due to injury.

Nacua entered the game with question marks about his availability, but he ended up playing. The former Washington Husky transfer was on pace for a career night.

#BYU WR Puka Nacua injured on a run play.

When Nacua reached the sideline fell to his knees. Trainers had to help him get into the medical tent.#BYUvsUSF #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2022

On BYU’s first offensive play of the season, Nacua took a jet sweep 75 yards for a touchdown. Six minutes later, BYU handed the ball off to him again on a jet sweep for another touchdown. The second touchdown was good for five yards.

Through nine minutes of game clock in the first quarter, Nacua had racked up over 100 yards of total offense.

Puka Nacua suffered an injury during BYU’s opener against USF

BYU went to Nacua a third time on the jet sweep. It was one too many, as USF was prepared for the sweep on the third attempt. USF defensive end Tramel Logan forced a loss of four yards. But the more significant bit of information from that play was Nacua suffered an injury on the jet sweep.

Nacua was slow to get up and had to be assisted by trainers to the sideline. Once on the sideline, he fell to his knees and slowly got back up. Next, he went into the medical tent, where he quickly came out and began doing some back peddling drills with trainers on hand to watch him.

Then after some of those drills, Nacua returned to the medical tent.

.@AsapPuka showed off his wheels to start 2022. 💨#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/DXoEPsg3Ez

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2022

When Nacua stepped out of the tent, he was seen sporting a medical boot on his right foot.

With No. 25 BYU up 38-7 at the halftime break over USF, it’s likely the end of Nacua’s evening in the season opener.

Kalani Sitake said Nacua being held out for the remainder of the game was “precautionary”

In the postgame press conference, BYU coach Kalani Sitake said keeping Nacua out for the remainder of the game was “precautionary” and that the initial X-Rays on Nacua’s injury looked good.

Kalani Sitake said holding Puka Nacua out the remainder of the game was “precautionary.”

Sitake also noted that “All of the X-Rays are good.”#BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 4, 2022

Next week, BYU hosts No. 10 Baylor in a Big 12 sneak peek at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

After the win over USF, Nacua was seen leaving the Raymond James Stadium field on crutches.

Last season, Nacua accounted for 805 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. The former Orem High star also had 148 rushing yards last season.

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.

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