What QB Riley Nelson's Season-Ending Injury Means for BYU Cougars

Sometimes problems resolve themselves in unfortunate ways.

BYU quarterback Riley Nelson injured a shoulder in Saturday's manhandling at the hands of the Florida State Seminoles.

Today we got news from BYU that the injury requires season-ending surgery, putting a de facto end to the quarterback debate in Provo.

So what does it all mean for the Cougars?

Riley's Loss Is Unfortunate

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

FORT COLLINS, CO - NOVEMBER 01: A detail photograph of the helmet belonging to quaterback Brenden Gaskins #6 of the Brigham Young Cougars as he warms up prior to facing the Colorado State Rams at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on November 1, 2008 i

While the QB debate has officially ended, so has the season of a scrappy competitor. While he was certainly a work in progress, nobody showed more heart and determination than the kid from Logan.

Bronco Mendenhall may have jinxed the scrambling quarterback earlier in the season when he alluded to the fact that Nelson might struggle to play his style for an entire season of abuse. That turned out to be prophetic.

But while the lack of consistency in quarterback play was crucial to Cougar losses, Riley's competitiveness and leadership will be missed.

Even if Jake Heaps had earned the job, Nelson was sure to add a dimension opposing coaches would have to prepare for.

Hopefully he'll get a medical redshirt and get the year back in the future. 

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

Jake Heaps Has Entered the Building

George Frey/Getty Images

PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 1: Large signs hang outside Lavell Edwards Stadium where it was announced that BYU football will become independent in 2011 separating from the Mountain West Conference, September 1, 2010 in Provo, Utah. The remaining BYU sports wil

Well, he entered LaVell Edwards Stadium in a win against Washington. But now, the team is his.

Backups James Lark and Jason Munns are well back on the depth chart, giving Heaps lots of room to lead the Cougars for the remainder of the season.

No more debate, no more dissension, and no more excuses. Jake Heaps will be the man for a long time in Provo.

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

Now Is the Time to Rally

Jacob de Golish/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 17: Max Hall #15 and Jo Jo Pili #26 of BYU Cougars celebrate a touchdown against San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium on October 17, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images)

So where does that leave the Cougars? It's time to make lemonade out of lemons.

Heaps still has a way to go, but now he'll get the reps in practice.

The team has no doubt who its leader is and can let go of the uncertainty.

The team can...nay...MUST rally around this and look forward.

Receivers and QB can focus on getting on the same page and getting the ball in spots where they won't drop it.

Heaps can get the time in practice he needs to learn to put touch on the ball.

And Bronco Mendenhall can finally address other questions, like "Why can't the defense tackle?"

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.