Star BYU linebacker Ben Bywater he will undergo surgery for his injury shoulder and miss the rest of the season, he announced in a radio interview with the KSL Sports Zone on Monday. Bywater, a team captain, last played for BYU in the game against Kansas. Through four games, Bywater tallied 32 total tackles, 1 sack and 1 pass deflection.
Bywater still has one year of eligibility remaining should he choose to return to BYU for one more season. Bywater was BYU's leading tackler in 2021 and 2022 when he combined for 200 tackles in those two seasons. Bywater was on pace to finish with another 100-tackle season in 2023 before the injury.
Bywater's injury is a major blow to a BYU defense that has struggled to contain Big 12 offenses in conference play. Last week against TCU, the Cougars allowed a season high 584 yards and 44 points. Against Cincinnati, BYU allowed 498 total yards including 242 yards on the ground. Since Bywater's injury, BYU's defense hasn't been as stout as it was during the first three weeks of the season.
With Bywater out for the season, BYU will rely on veteran linebackers Max Tooley and AJ Vongapachanh to lead the defense. The Cougars will turn to redshirt freshman Harrison Taggart to replace Bywater in the starting lineup. Taggart has a very high ceiling and appears to be a future star in the BYU defense. In his first start against Cincinnati, Taggart finished with 10 total tackles. He has 18 total tackles this season.
After a discouraging loss to TCU last weekend, BYU will look to bounce back at home against Texas Tech. The Cougars and the Red Raiders kickoff at 5 PM Mountain Time.
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