Kalani Fifita Sitake
Running Back 34
Ht/Wt
6'
0"
|
245 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
Kirkwood, 
Missouri
Last School
Kirkwood High School
Roster Years
1994 | 1997-2000


Personal

  • Born in Nukualofa, Tonga
  • Parents are Tomasi and Eseta Vaetolufatu
  • First name means "a gift sent from heaven"
  • Family added Sitake to his last name at the request of his grandfather
  • Younger brother T.J. played defensive end for BYU
  • Served an LDS Church mission to Oakland, Calif
  • Older brother Tevita Pella was a defensive end for the UofU
  • Recruited by Iowa, UCLA, Stanford and Notre Dame

Before BYU

  • Earned High Honors while attending Kirkwood High
  • Lettered in football, basketball and track
  • Was named all-state running back
  • Selected all-district and all-conference running back and linebacker
  • Team was district and sectional state champions
  • Coached by Dale Collier

Stats

Year   Rsh   Yds   Avg    TD   Rec   Yrd    TD
1994    16   112   7.0     0     5    45     0
1997     8    12   1.5     0     4    47     0
1998    13    43   3.3     0    15   129     1
1999    24   109   4.5     0    15   124     0 
2000    25   100   4.0     0    23   191     0
Total   86   373   4.3     0    62   536     1
BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 1994

  • Had a 41-yard run at the Air Force Academy, the longest run of the season for the Cougars
  • Had a 23-yard catch against Northeast Louisiana
  • Played in all 13 games as a second unit fullback and on special teams
Sophmore Year 1998

  • Named BYU Football Scholar Athlete of the Year
  • Started 10 of the Cougars' 12 regular-season games, including six straight starts to begin the season
  • Named coaches' outstanding back in game vs. Washington
  • Gained 43 yards on 13 carries, averaging 3.1 yards per carry
  • Gained a career-high 129 yards on 15 receptions, averaging 8.6 yards per catch
Junior Year 1999

  • Earned the team's Impact Player of the Year award
  • Played in nine games as a junior
  • Alternated starting assignments with senior fullback Donny Atuaia during the season, recording six starts on the year
  • Ranked third on the BYU roster with 118 yards rushing on 24 carries
  • Averaged 4.5 yards per carry and 12.1 yards per game...
  • Racked up a season-high 45 yards rushing against Utah State
  • Registered 124 yards on 15 receptions during the season
  • Averaged 8.3 yards per catch
  • Credited with a season-high 45 receiving yards at San Diego State
  • Suffered a broken ankle at Wyoming
  • Produced six games on the season with two or more receptions, including a season-high four receptions at San Diego State
  • Responsible for an average 25.1 all-purpose yards per game
  • Earned coaches' award for performance against San Diego State.
Senior Year 2000

  • Named team captain
  • Rushed 25 times for 100 yards, averaging four yards a carry and 9.1 yards per game
  • caught 23 passes for 191 yards, an average of 8.3 yards per catch and 17.4 yards a game
  • Coaches' award for offensive back of the game against Mississippi State and Wyoming
  • Had a season-high four catches for 54 yards against Utah
  • Rushed for a season-high 20 yards versus Florida State
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year 1997

  • Had 68 yards as the leading rusher in the Spring Game
  • Cougar Club Scholar-Athlete
  • Started the first three games of the season
  • 30-yard reception vs. Washington
  • A herniated disc caused him to miss the season with surgery following the SMU game
Medical Redshirt Year 1997

Had 68 yards as the leading rusher in the Spring Game...Cougar Club Scholar-Athlete...started the first three games of the season...30-yard reception vs. Washington...a herniated disc caused him to miss the season with surgery following the SMU game.