BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said the decision to suspend junior running back Manase Tonga was a difficult one.

As for choosing the game, he said it was a no-brainer.

“There was no debate about it,” Mendenhall said. “The representation of the institution and of a faith is something I won’t compromise.”

On July 3, Tonga was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail after running a stop sign. Tonga was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign, driving with an expired car registration and providing false information to an officer. Tonga also had a warrant out for his arrest in relation to another traffic ticket.

On Friday, Mendenhall announced Tonga would be suspended for the Arizona game on Sept. 1 and wouldn’t join the team for practice until his court issues are resolved.

“In my opinion it would serve him and the team best to suspend him for the first game (Arizona) and move forward,” Mendenhall said. “We dealt with it fast and effectively. There are those who will criticize because it is an important game, but this is about the young men and what they need.”

∫ On the mend: Mendenhall said senior cornerback Ben Criddle, who missed spring with a foot injury that required surgery, will be ready to go when fall camp begins on Aug. 3.

Fui Vakapuna, projected to be the starter at running back, will not. Mendenhall said Vakapuna, who had knee surgery this spring, may not be fully recovered until the first game on Sept. 1.

“Fui is too big right now,” Mendenhall said, guessing that Vakapuna is “250-plus.”

Harvey Unga, who had a hip injury midway through the 2006 season, has been cleared to play after missing most of spring practice. Brandon Bradley, a redshirt freshman defensive back, will also see his first full practices come fall.

∫ Not coming: Star Lotulelei, a defensive end from Bringham High School from the recruiting class of 2007, did not qualify academically and will not attend BYU this fall, Mendenhall said. Jordan High School receiver Scotty Ebert also didn’t qualify. His scholarship went to junior college punter C.J. Santiago, who announced his intentions to play at BYU in June.

Mendenhall said the two deep snappers competing for the starting role are walk-on John Pace and former American Fork standout Chris Muehlmann.

∫ Early success: Now entering his third season as head coach at BYU, Mendenhall said he didn’t really know when the Cougars would come back to national prominence.

“I didn’t have a time table, other than it would happen,” he said. “Many have been surprised about all the things that happened last year in my second season. Others told me it took too long. All I care about is bringing out the team’s full potential.”

∫ Bring the attitude: New Air Force coach Troy Calhoun, who is changing up things on both sides of the ball, said there’s only one way the Air Force Academy wins football games.

“We win at Air Force with attitude,” he said. “That’s the way it’s always been and that’s where it always has to start. We’re still going to begin with running the option and we want to mix in some zone runs. We want to become more balanced.

“We’re not a team that’s going to walk on egg shells. We’re a group that’s got to play and coach like our hair is on fire.”

∫ Ringing the Bell: Colorado State — picked to finish sixth — welcomes the return of running back Kyle Bell, who ran for more than 1,000 yards in 2005 but missed 2006 due to injury.

“It’s good getting Kyle back,” said Colorado State head coach Sonny Lubick. “Not only because of his running ability but because he brings something to the locker room and to the field you can’t coach.

“This year, we have more starters and veterans returning than in any of my 14 years at the school. I think we can turn things around.”

∫ The guys up front: New Mexico coach Rocky Long said his offensive line is key to the Lobos success in 2007.

“Last year they blocked well for Rodney (Ferguson) in the run game but we need to protect the quarterback better so we don’t have to play five of them.”

For the record, Chris Nelson, Donovan Porterie, Kole McKamey, Ian Clark, John Mulchrone and Ferguson all threw at least one pass during the regular season for New Mexico.

∫ He said it: “Our offseason was a testament to not only having a full season under our belts but we’ve had another spring. For the first time since I’ve been here we’ve had 85-90 guys working together.” — San Diego State quarterback Kevin O’Connell.

∫ He said it, too: “I’m not sure he’s our starting tailback yet.” — Patterson, after running back Aaron Brown was asked how he felt about being named preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

∫ A numbers game: Mendenhall said there are 73 LDS returned missionaries on the BYU team, with 39 players currently serving in the field. He also said BYU had 31 married players at the end of spring and had eight more marriages this summer.

He also acknowledged there are 30 players of Polynesian decent on the 2007 team.

∫ Channel surfing: Versus will air nine MWC games this season, including Utah at BYU on Nov. 24. The network opens its football coverage with Virginia at Wyoming (noon) and Arizona at BYU (3:30 p.m.) on Sept. 1 and will broadcast 19 games total.

The Mtn. will open with South Carolina State at Air Force on Sept. 1 (noon).

∫ Welcome to the bowl: The Pac 10 has committed to play an MWC team in the Poinsettia Bowl in 2008 and 2009, extending the contract for that bowl for two more season. This year, a bowl-eligible Navy team or an at-large program will play an MWC team in that bowl.

∫ Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it