Introducing BYU football's rising star Faletau Satuala, who led the Cougar defense against Iowa State

When star linebacker Jack Kelly left BYU’s game against Colorado with an injury, I knew someone other than fellow linebacker Isaiah Glasker would have to step up to help BYU recover from the 14-0 deficit. The hard-hitting sophomore safety from Bountiful, Utah, was my pick, and he delivered. BYU would win 24-21, and Faletau Satuala introduced himself to the college football world. Satuala has only increased his output and decisive plays for the BYU defense every game since.

Satuala had five tackles and a sack against the Buffaloes. Against West Virginia on a rainy Friday night in Provo, he had eight tackles, six of them solo. He again delivered in game where BYU struggled early, when the Cougars played Arizona. Satuala would have 11 tackles and pass defended in the 33-27 double overtime victory.

BYU’s super safety would deliver the most against Utah in the Holy War and on the road against Iowa State. Satuala had 12 tackles against the Utes, eight of them solo, including one for a loss, and another pass defended. The game against ISU was even bigger. On the first play from scrimmage, Iowa State struck for a 75-yard pass when Satuala got caught peeking into the backfield. Like the rest of the BYU team, #11 just kept fighting.

He’d total 10 tackles against ISU in the comeback, but his signature play came in the fourth quarter. BYU led the game 34-27, having outscored ISU 17-3 in the second half. Iowa State began a drive, and their quarterback threw a pass to the sideline that Satuala broke on. He took it away from the Iowa State receiver and returned it 40 yards for a score.

This would cap the scoring and the BYU defense that couldn’t make a stop in the first half would outscore Iowa State themselves, 7-3 in the second half, thanks to BYU’s sensational safety, Faletau Satuala. The Cougar defense has another big star to go along with Jack Kelly, Isaiah Glasker, Tanner Wall, Evan Johnson, and Therrian Alexander III.