The BYU Quarterback Quandary

If Jake Heaps had even a portion of the game experience of Riley Nelson, this duel-quarterback situation at BYU would not exist.

The truth be known, Bronco Mendenhall and the Cougar coaches are seeking to play it safe to try to take some of the pressure off the true freshman.

They have made a decision to start the season-opening game against Washington with the quarterback that has taken snaps in 15 college games verses the one coming straight from high school with the big reputation.

There is some wisdom in that approach.

Nelson started eight games as a freshman at Utah State before his mission and saw action in seven games in mop-up duty behind Max Hall last season.

Over his career he has completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,024 yards, throwing seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The junior also brings his legs to to the equation. He has rushed for 412 yards on 100 attempts and scored three touchdowns. All three scores came last year as a Cougar. It’s a dimension that gives a suspect Washington defense one more thing to prepare for this week.

Nelson doesn’t possess the arm or passing acumen of Heaps, but to his credit Riley battled during fall camp and performed well enough to earn the right to keep the seat warm until Heaps is fully ready to take over the helm.

And make no mistake about it, that is what this is.

It’s a safe bet that at some point during the season, Heaps will become the man and Nelson’s playing time will become situational. Starting the season as a part-time player makes for an easier transition to the college game for a freshman quarterback; at least that’s the way BYU coaches view it.

Riley taking the first snaps against the Huskies is also a way to preserve team culture and unity. Under Mendenhall, the BYU program has valued experience and tenure over youthful talent. A culture has developed of paying your dues, doing things the right way and then getting your opportunity.

As Bronco admitted this weekend, there was some division among Cougar teammates as fall camp began, and the reality is that it still exists to some degree. There are fewer talented players that have been in the program who are now witnessing an infusion of talent coming in and threatening to upset the apple cart. It’s only natural that some tension would arise.

All of this has factored into the creation of the two-quarterback approach to start the season.

Only time will tell us if it was the right decision.