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| BYU LB Kurt Gouveia celebrates a defensive stop against Hawaii in 1984 (Source: Fanpix.net) |
The ninth best Polynesian in BYU Cougars football history might have ended up higher on the list if there wasn't so much other NFL talent on the defensive roster during his playing career. Kurt Gouveia had to compete with the likes of Todd Shell, Leon White, and Jason Buck not just for playing time but to be the first one to the ball carrier. Nevertheless, he was a key component in two of the best defenses in school history.
In high school, Gouveia was a three-time state champion. He was instrumental in each championship playing both quarterback and defensive back for Waianae High School in Hawaii. He brought his championship ways with him to BYU. During his four years, BYU won four conference championships and one national championship. However, it took a little while for Gouvia to start having the impact that he had in high school.
As a freshman in 1982, Gouveia was a member of the junior varsity team. As a sophomore, he backed up future NFL first-round draft pick Shell, while contributing on special teams. Due to Shell feeling under the weather during the Wyoming game, Gouveia made a season high five tackles. Two were tackles for loss (TFL).
Gouveia really got going as a junior in 1984 when he stepped into the starting role. He had 10 tackles in the season opener at Pittsburgh. He caught the coaches attention in his return home to Hawaii. With seven tackles (six solo), and two TFL, Gouveia was tagged by the coaches as the team's outstanding linebacker; an honor he would receive again after the UTEP and Utah games. His familiarity with Wyoming helped Gouviea have his second double-digit tackle game of the season (10), including two more TFL.
Gouveia finished the season on a flurry with 37 tackles in the final four games of the season (11 vs. UTEP, 8 vs. San Diego State, 11 vs. Utah, 7 vs. Utah State). He also had four of his seven sacks during those games.
Statistically, Gouveia was third on the team in tackles (107) and quarterback hurries (21), but first in sacks (7), and defensive points (284). Coaches named him the outstanding linebacker for the year. He made second team All-WAC. He also blocked two kicks.
With the national championship on the line, Gouveia had a solid outing with four tackles (all solo), one sack, and two pass breakups as the Cougar D suffocated the Michigan offense allowing just 202 yards of total offense.
Gouveia finished his BYU career with another big season in 1985. Three of the first four games Gouveia had double-digit tackles (12 vs. UCLA, 10 vs. Washington, 11 vs. Temple). He had at least seven tackles in each of the first seven games. That had a lot to do with Gouveia finishing with a team-high 98 tackles that season.
The regular season concluded with a second trip back to the islands. Gouveia had another strong game in his home state. This year, he totaled eight tackles with two sacks and one tackle for loss. He also put an exclamation mark on his career in front of the home crowd when he delivered one of the most punishing hits in school history to break up a pass to Walter Murray.
Besides leading the team in tackles, Gouveia was the team leader in defensive points for the second straight season (237). He was second on the team in TFL (7), just one behind Leon White. For his efforts, Gouveia was one of 15 finalists for the Butkus Award. He was named first team All-WAC and honorable mention AP All-American.
| Tackles |
Solo
| Assist | TFL | PD | Int | Sacks | QBH | FF | FR | TD | |
| 1982 |
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| 1983 |
19
|
7
|
12
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 1984 |
107
|
43
|
64
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
7
|
21
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
| 1985 |
98
|
57
|
41
|
7
|
5
|
1
|
3
|
8
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
| Career |
224
|
107
|
117
|
13
|
6
|
2
|
10
|
34
|
6
|
2
|
0
|
While Gouveia's numbers may have been suppressed because of the great talent around him during his playing days, he went on to have one of the best NFL careers for Cougar alumni. He certainly made one of the best plays by a Cougar in the Super Bowl. The Washington Redskins drafted Gouveia in the eighth round of the 1986 draft. He played 13 seasons in the NFL and was part of two Super Bowl champion teams in Washington. While tackles were not an official stat during his playing days, some sites report Gouveia had approximately 800 tackles in his career, along with five sacks and 12 interceptions, one of which he returned 59 yards for a touchdown during the 1993 season.
Gouveia is one of just two former BYU players to be inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. He was part of the inaugural class in 2014.
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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