BYU LB Sione Takitaki charged, will miss Nebraska game

The BYU Cougars just had to suspend one of their possible starting outside linebackers for the opening game this season. Sophomore Siones Takitaki was charged with two counts of misdemeanor theft and the Cougars subsequently suspended him for the opening game against Nebraska.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Takitaki was charged with the counts after he allegedly stole from the school’s soccer and track teams while working on the custodial staff last month. Takitaki had been practicing with the Cougars at training camp since Saturday.

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall reviewed the situation and decided to suspend Takitaki for the opening game against Nebraska, according to BYU spokesman Brett Pyne. Mendenhall had called Takitaki one of the best pass rushers on the team Wednesday afternoon.

Takitaki allegedly stole a BYU track jacket valued at $200 on July 10 and then soccer apparel valued at $280 on July 21. He is scheduled to answer the charges in court on August 27.

This was not the first time Takitaki had ran into some trouble. Last summer, he got into a fight in the dorms and was kicked off the team, but not dismissed, before ever being issued a jersey. Family members persuaded Mendenhall to reinstate Takitaki and he went on to have a decent season for the Cougars last year, recording a sack against Central Florida.

There has been no word on whether or not Takitaki will miss more playing time or if he will be dismissed from the team once again. Stay with Campus Sports for the latest news in this situation.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

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