Welcome to the kinder, gentler and more sportsmanlike BYU football program, courtesy of new head coach Kalani Sitake, who just happened to turn 41 on Monday and was celebrated by his adoring players after practice with a rousing rendition of the Happy Birthday song and presented with a birthday cake and other goodies.
Defensive end Sae Tautu said Sitake "asked us to be respectful and represent BYU" when he took over last winter, and so far the players have been able to do just that. Although three players, including Tautu, have been ejected for targeting — controversial calls that Sitake has vowed to clean up, when necessary — charges of questionable late hits or borderline cheap shots have lessened considerably after the Cougars were dogged by them last year against Nebraska, Boise State and Utah State, most notably.