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Provo • At the end of spring practice, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall didn't give defensive end Hebron Fangupo much chance to contribute this season."I told him I didn't think he was going to play a snap ... because I didn't think he would try hard enough," Mendenhall recalled. "But to his credit, he's really helped us."

Reminded of Mendenhall's less-than-great expectations for him, Fangupo laughed.

Of course.

"Always smiling, always happy, always has jokes," Mendenhall said. "Probably too many jokes for my liking. But that's who he is."

Oddly, Fangupo is playing his final season of college football at BYU because of a serious incident that occurred last year.

While attending USC, he shared a small apartment "across the street from school" with his wife, Rebekah.

"Not really a nice place to live," Fangupo said.

One night, he returned home and found Rebekah terrified after an intruder broke into their home while she watched TV.

"It was shocking — scary," Fangupo said. "She was crying. Very scared, you know. And as her husband, I was concerned about her. I didn't want it to happen again. I knew right away we had to leave."

Because of NCAA sanctions against USC, Fangupo was allowed to transfer to another Football Bowl Subdivision school without losing eligibility.

A returned LDS Church missionary, he picked BYU, which had unsuccessfully recruited him out of Mount San Antonio Junior College.

"Safe environment, the church, great place to be, great place to raise a family," said Fangupo, who walked on at BYU and continues to play without a scholarship.

Mendenhall calls Fangupo's story "unique," but one that seems to be headed toward a satisfying end.

"I think he's happy and I think he's fulfilled," Mendenhall said. "... He's really helped our team."

By the end of preseason camp, Fangupo had already exceeded Mendenhall's expectations. In the opener at Ole Miss, he was the backup at left end behind Graham Rowley. In the last two games, however, Fangupo started in the BYU's 3-4 scheme. He's played well, too, even though the 330-pounder is not the prototypical size for a defensive end.

"Strongest player on the team," said Mendenhall. "Strongest player I've ever coached."

One of Fangupo's primary jobs in the 3-4 involves engaging the offensive line, occupying those players and allowing BYU's linebackers the opportunity to make plays.

Still, Fangupo has eight tackles in the Cougars' first four games, including four behind the line of scrimmage.

He's even broken up one pass attempt.

"I'm doing O.K., but there's always room for improvement," Fangupo said. "I have to do more to help my teammates — make it easier for the linebackers. I feel I'm doing fairly well but I want to do better and help us keep winning."

BYU's defense has played well. Excluding a 54-10 loss to Utah, when turnovers by the offense contributed greatly to the Utes' 40-point second half, the Cougars allowed Ole Miss, Texas and Central Florida an average of 15.3 points per game.

"As a whole, we're doing great," Fangupo said. "We just have to keep going. The main thing is to be physical, be relentless [and] be mean down there."

Next, BYU plays Utah State on Friday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Aggies offense features Robert Turbin, who ran for four touchdowns in last week's 35-34 double-overtime loss to Colorado State.

"I like [playing] good running backs," Fangupo said. "It makes me work a little harder. ... It will be fun hitting him. I'm looking forward to it."

Hebron Fangupo file

Born • July 19, 1985

Hometown • Santa Ana, Calif.

Position • Defensive end

Size • 6-2, 330

Nickname • Loni (pronounced Low-nee)

High school • Century

Junior college • Mt. San Antonio

Career • All-CIF Division IX as a high school senior. ... Went on an LDS Church mission to the Philippines. ... Attended Mt. San Antonio Junior College in 2007 and 2008. ... All-conference as a freshman. ... JUCO Super 100 recruit in 2008. ... Played in two state championship games in junior college. ... Attended USC in 2009 and 2010. ... Granted a medical redshirt year after breaking his ankle in 2009. ... Transferred to BYU without losing eligibility because of NCAA sanctions against USC. ... Has started last two games against Utah and Central Florida.