BYU Senior Right Tackle Andrew Gentry Out for Extended Period After Ankle Injury

Key points

• Andrew Gentry was removed from the BYU depth chart on Monday, signaling an extended absence due to an ankle injury suffered during the first quarter of the Colorado State game.
• Gentry, a senior and two-year starter at right tackle, posted on social media that he expects to return by the end of the season, describing the injury as more significant than initially thought.
• True freshman Bott Mulitalo and redshirt freshman Siosiua Latu-Finau are listed as co-starters at right tackle; both have played 86 combined snaps this season and are highly regarded by the coaching staff.
• BYU head coach Kalani Sitake expressed confidence in the younger players, noting that Sitake’s strategy of using second and third-string players early in the season has prepared them for such situations.
• The Cougars, ranked No. 10 and 3-0, will face TCU (2-2) on Saturday, October 3, in their first Big 12 road game, with the opening line favoring BYU by 6.5 points.

Background

BYU’s offensive line has faced recent adjustments, with Gentry serving as a consistent starter since transferring from Michigan. The team’s recent depth chart changes reflect a broader trend in college football where injuries to veterans often accelerate the development of younger players. In previous seasons, similar removals from depth charts indicated multi-game absences, a pattern that appears to hold for Gentry’s current situation.

How outlets are covering it

BYU On SI emphasizes the coaching staff’s confidence in the depth behind Gentry, highlighting Mulitalo’s high PFF grade as the top offensive lineman in college football. KSL Sports focuses on Gentry’s personal update, noting his emotional response and faith-based perspective on the injury. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth provides statistical context for the upcoming TCU game, noting BYU’s strong defensive ranking and TCU’s recent loss to UCF. While all sources agree on Gentry’s absence, they differ in emphasis: BYU On SI and KSL Sports focus on the player and replacement depth, while NBC 5 focuses on the game’s competitive landscape and odds.

Why it matters

The loss of a veteran starter like Gentry tests the resilience of BYU’s offensive line and the effectiveness of Sitake’s developmental strategy. The performance of Mulitalo and Latu-Finau will be critical in maintaining the Cougars’ high ranking and competitive standing in the Big 12. Additionally, the outcome of the TCU game could influence BYU’s position in the AP Top 25 and their trajectory in the conference standings.

What to watch

BYU will release its first official injury report for the TCU game on Wednesday, which may provide further details on Gentry’s status. The Cougars will face TCU on Saturday, October 3, followed by a home game against Iowa State on October 9. Gentry’s return is expected by the end of the season, though the exact timeline remains uncertain.