This is the fourth, and final, member of the BYU Cougars 1984 National Championship team on the list. There's a reason that team is the only one in school history to go undefeated: it was a really good team. Many of its best players were Polynesian.
Lakei Heimuli came to BYU from Hawaii, but was born in Tonga. As a senior at Kahuku High School, Heimuli was named the player of the year for the entire state. When he came to the Y, he wasn't the first Polynesian running back, but he was different from those who came before him.
Running back and return specialist Vai Sikahema's small stature was pointed out on Monday. Heimuli backed up another Polynesian running back his freshman season: Casey Tiumalu. He, too, was under 5-foot-10. For all the good that Sikahema and Tiumalu did, Heimuli was able to bring another dimension to the BYU running attack with his size and ability to deliver a blow to defenders.
That added dimension helped Heimuli earn the starting job as a sophomore. He easily led the team in rushing, and was used as a receiver out of the backfield. On the year, he totaled over 1,000 all-purpose yards.
Heimuli scored his first career touchdown in the 1984 season opener. His 12-yard touchdown run started the Cougar second half comeback from a 14-3 deficit to upset number three Pitt. He had his first 100-yard rushing game (141 yards) and multiple touchdown game (2) on a Thursday night ESPN game at New Mexico. Heimuli also contributed 117 yards (6.9 yards per carry) on the ground against Utah.
While Heimuli's rushing output increased each season, he had his biggest season a receiver in 1985. With 66 receptions, he led the team. He repeated as the team's leader in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. Heimuli scored 14 touchdowns on the season, which matched wide receiver Mark Bellini for the most points scored that season.
Heimuli went over 100 yards (112) when the Washington Huskies came to town. He also scored two second half touchdowns to hammer home the message that the Cougars were the best in the west. He had 121 yards through the air against Colorado State. His two second half touchdowns against New Mexico helped BYU pull away from the pesky Lobos.
BYU turned to Heimuli when UTEP used a defensive scheme that focused on stopping the pass by dropping nine defenders into coverage. He carried the ball a season high 30 times for 154 yards. He followed that up with 137 yards, on just 14 carries, and three touchdowns against Wyoming.
His best game of the season came against Utah. He had two first-half touchdowns, but Utah wouldn't go away. The game was tied at the half, and trailed by just three in the fourth quarter. After the Cougar defense intercepted a Ute pass to end a red zone threat, Heimuli put the game away with an 83-yard touchdown run.
BYU football lost a lot of offensive leadership between Heimuli's junior and senior seasons. Starting quarterback Robbie Bosco graduated; the Cougars would rely on Heimuli now more than ever.
Utah State was a pushover in the season opener, but game two against New Mexico was a nail biter. Heimuli's 1-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter gave BYU a one-point win.
After the 2-0 start, BYU dropped two of its next three games. The reliability of Heimuli helped BYU go on a three game win streak. He led the way with 177 yards rushing against Wyoming, followed by 149 yards against UTEP. At Hawaii, Heimuli carried the ball nearly every play in the second half to protect the Cougars lead. He finished the game with 117 yards rushing.
With the BYU passing game not up to its usual standard, Heimuli led an ground attack that absolutely punished Utah. BYU had three running backs run for over 100 yards. Heimuli finished the game with a team-high 171 yards. He scored two touchdowns as BYU built a 35-7 fourth quarter lead. Heimuli was also the team's leading receiver with four receptions for 44 yards. During his three seasons as a starter, Heimuli averaged 150.7 yards per game against the Utes.
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| Heimuli dragging a Utah defender (Source: DeseretNews.com) |
Needing to beat Air Force in the season finale to secure a bowl berth, Heimuli scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) in the second quarter to put the game away. That game against the Cadets was a milestone game for Heimuli. Besides helping the Cougars extend its bowl streak to eight years, he set three school records:
- Career rushing yards: 2,710 (Jeff Blanc, 2,663);
- Career all-purpose yards: 3,833 (Blanc, 3,743);
- Career rushing touchdowns: 30 (Waymon Hamilton, 29).
There was no question that this new breed of running back could succeed in BYU's offense and benefit BYU.
| Rush | Yards | Ave. | TD | Rec. | Yards | Ave. | TD | ||
| 1983 |
29
|
91
|
3.1
|
0
|
1
|
15
|
15.0
|
0
| |
| 1984 |
158
|
796
|
5.0
|
9
|
31
|
242
|
7.8
|
1
| |
| 1985 |
188
|
857
|
4.6
|
14
|
66
|
459
|
7.0
|
0
| |
| 1986 |
230
|
966
|
4.2
|
7
|
41
|
407
|
9.9
|
1
| |
| Career |
605
|
2,710
|
4.5
|
30
|
139
|
1,123
|
8.1
|
2
|
Heimuli was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the ninth round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He played in three games his rookie season carrying the ball 34 times for 128 yards and making five receptions for 51 yards. It was the only season he played professionally.
Top 10 Polynesian Players
10. Mekeli Ieremia, DT, 1974-77
9. Kurt Gouveia, LB, 1982-85
8. Reno Mahe, WR/RB, 1998, 2001-02
7. Glen Kozlowski, WR, 1981, 1983-85
6. Aaron Francisco, DB, 2001-04
5. Vai Sikahema, PR/KR/RB, 1980-81, 1984-85
4. Kai Nacua, FS, 2013-16
3. Lakei Heimuli, RB, 1983-86
2. Harvey Unga, RB, 2006-09
1. Kyle Van Noy, LB, 2010-13
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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