JJ Di Luigi, Brian Kariya and Joshua Quezada: BYU Football's 3-Headed Monster

When it became apparent that the BYU Cougars would be without Harvey Unga in 2010, a great deal of doubt was cast upon the BYU running game.

The Cougars were left to try to fill in for the school’s all-time leading rusher by going with a running-back-by-committee approach.

Three players—one considered to be an underachiever, another considered a pedestrian overachiever and still another that was an unproven true freshman—would be called upon to somehow fill Unga’s shoes.

As it turns out, they have exceeded expectations and have even been referred to as a “three-headed monster” in the backfield for the Cougars this season.

JJ Di Luigi, Brian Kariya and Joshua Quezada have rushed for a combined 1,662 yards and 16 touchdowns with one regular season game and a bowl appearance left to go.

They are the reason that BYU has averaged an unusually high 172 rushing yards per game this season, including an average of nearly 244 yards in the last four games.

The trio has also caught a total of 64 passes for 543 yards and two touchdowns. All totaled, they have accounted for 2,205 yards from scrimmage in 11 games.

They are a primary reason the Cougars have captured momentum and are looking for their fifth win in a row and the sixth of their last seven games.

JJ Di Luigi

The 5'9", 190-pound junior has been the best and most consistent player on offense this year, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and leading the team in rushing with 805 yards, in receptions with 41 and in receiving yards with 410.

JJ has accounted for 1,277 total yards while scoring eight touchdowns, trailing only Mitch Payne’s 68 points in scoring, and Jake Heaps’ one, 739 yards from scrimmage.

Billed as more of a scat back, Di Luigi has been extremely durable and has surprised many with his ability to handle the workload asked of him in 2010.

He came into this season after what would have to be considered unfulfilled expectations, after coming to Provo as a highly regarded talent from Canyon Country, California.

But the water bug in pads has made up for it this year by exceeding expectations. If he remains at his current pace, he will end the season with nearly 1,000 yards rushing and just under 1,500 yards of total offense.

He is currently averaging 6.4 yards every time he touches the ball, so it’s fitting that the LaVell Edwards Stadium staff now plays video game sound effects over the public address system after JJ makes a play on the field.

Brian Kariya

The main responsibility of the 218-pound junior this season has been to punch opposing defensing in the mouth, and he’s done exactly that.

Kariya epitomizes what it means to be a BYU football player in Bronco Mendenhall’s program, and in a real sense has been the leader on an offense that has had to go through a massive maturation process this year.

He has been a battering ram with the ball and an effective blocker when he’s been asked to clear the way for Di Luigi and Quezada, or protect Jake Heaps in the passing game.

Brian has been particularly impressive in short yardage situations, running behind slobber-knocking fullback Zed Mendenhall on third and fourth downs.

One impressive thing about Kariya’s play this year is the improvement he has made in his vision and footwork. It has allowed him to be a much more effective runner as the season has progressed.

Joshua Quezada

“Juice” has begun to hit his stride as the Cougars have entered the home stretch of the season. Last week against New Mexico the true freshman rushed for a career high 107 yards and a touchdown.

The thing that has been noticeable all season long about Quezada is the way he finishes his runs. When you watch him carry the ball you will see that he is the one delivering the blow at the end of his runs. He is always moving the pile forward.

He still has work to do in being effective in blocking assignments, but that will come as he gains more experience. He is no doubt a talented player that has just begun to tap into his potential as a running back in the BYU system.

It’s not a stretch to envision that Juice working as the primary running back and Heaps as the quarterback are going to make things very difficult for opposing defenses in the years to come.

Offensive Line

We can’t make mention of the success of the BYU running game and not give credit where credit is due, and that is to the BYU offensive line.

Remember that these guys have been recruited to BYU for their ability to pass block; they didn’t come to Provo with the idea that they would be plowing the way for a group of unproven running backs.

But that is what they have been asked to do this year and they have done a great job of adjusting their games and sacrificing some for the good of the team.

The BYU Running Game vs. the Utah Defense

With an inexperienced quarterback at the helm, the BYU offense has had to approach things differently this year, by establishing the run to then set up the pass.

Continuing that plan will be a major challenge this Saturday at Utah. The Utes are 10th in the nation in yards given up per game on the ground. When the Cougars have the ball, it will be strength against strength.

If BYU is ineffective running the ball, it could open up the flood gates for a blitzing Utah defense that leads the conference in sacks.

Don’t be surprised to see the Cougars make somewhat of a return to their traditional roots and look to open things up through the air first, in order to then loosen some things up on the ground.

Utah has struggled in recent weeks to defend the pass and this game may represent the opportunity for Heaps and the Cougar passing game to now take center stage.

Whether it’s a run-first or run-second game plan on Saturday, if the Cougars and their three-headed monster are successful on ground, they should come away from this contest as the victors.