BYU buried the lead a little bit with its announcement that the Cougars would utilize two quarterbacks ? junior Riley Nelson and freshman Jake Heaps ? in the opener on Sept. 4 against Washington.
BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall has been talking about using both quarterbacks in the first game for months, so that's not news. But the very end of news release reads: "It is anticipated that Nelson will take the opening snap against Washington but both quarterbacks will play."
Mendenhall said with the emphasis on both quarterbacks getting to play, starting the game doesn't mean quite as much. Nelson's ?life experiences,? said Mendenhall, led to his starting role. Nelson started five games at Utah State in 2006 before leaving on an LDS mission and appeared in seven games last year as Max Hall's backup.
After that first series? Mendenhall said the game plan hasn't gotten that far.
All fronts appeared reunited on Friday, from head coach to teammates to Nelson and Heaps. A two-quarterback system is tricky, and Mendenhall has never been in favor of such a process. But now that he has two quarterbacks he feels are equally adept at moving the offense, he's on board. He said he is ?at peace and comfortable? with his decision.
?We plan on playing both Riley and Jake at quarterback and feel both will be effective leading our team,? Mendenhall said. ?Each is a talented player with a different style, which will pose some difficulties for opposing defenses. Both players are committed to this decision and excited to lead our team.?
In a meeting to discuss the decision, Mendenhall said both quarterbacks looked him in the eye and agreed this was the best way to handle the situation. Nelson told the media the two-quarterback system would be ?nasty and lethal.?
The news release from BYU was the first time Heaps has been quoted since he joined the program in January. New players and freshmen aren't allowed to speak to the media until after the first game.
Heaps first words? ?I am 100 percent behind this decision,? Heaps said. ?I feel the coaches have made the right decision for both Riley and I and this football team. Riley is a great player and I?m excited to have the opportunity to contribute. This isn?t about me or him; it?s about us? it?s about doing what we can to help our team.?
It's now up to the offensive coaches ? specifically offensive coordinator Robert Anae ? to fashion a game plan that takes advantage of both quarterbacks skills without sacrificing rhythm and execution.
Anae told reporters BYU has two starting quarterbacks.
For now, anyway.
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Picked to lead: BYU junior offensive tackle Matt Reynolds is not known as having an outgoing personality. He is well-spoken and intelligent, but he's always just let his actions speak for him.
Now that he has been elected by his Cougar teammates as a captain (along with senior safety Andrew Rich), Reynolds is prepared for however he's called upon to lead.
?I don't need to go outside of myself and be something I'm not,? Reynolds said. ?I think the guys would see through that. If I feel like I need to say something to somebody or the group, I will, and if not I don't say much. I've kind of been known as a quiet guy on the team, and that's something I'll continue as long as that's what's needed. if more is needed, I'll give more.?
Already during fall camp Reynolds has spoken out more during team sessions in an effort to focus the efforts of the offense.
?There's been times when I felt like there was some more I could contribute, and I've been able to do that,? he said. ?I think the guys have recognized that and that's why they voted the way they did.?
He said he appreciates that his teammates felt he was worthy of their vote.
For that reason, it means a lot,? he said. ?It means I'm a guy somebody wants to have represent them.?
Already an Outland Trophy candidate, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Reynolds was named on Friday to the Lombardi Award watch list. The Outland Trophy is given annually the best college interior lineman in the country. The Lombardi Award is given to the best college linemen or linebacker.
BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall has been talking about using both quarterbacks in the first game for months, so that's not news. But the very end of news release reads: "It is anticipated that Nelson will take the opening snap against Washington but both quarterbacks will play."
Mendenhall said with the emphasis on both quarterbacks getting to play, starting the game doesn't mean quite as much. Nelson's ?life experiences,? said Mendenhall, led to his starting role. Nelson started five games at Utah State in 2006 before leaving on an LDS mission and appeared in seven games last year as Max Hall's backup.
After that first series? Mendenhall said the game plan hasn't gotten that far.
All fronts appeared reunited on Friday, from head coach to teammates to Nelson and Heaps. A two-quarterback system is tricky, and Mendenhall has never been in favor of such a process. But now that he has two quarterbacks he feels are equally adept at moving the offense, he's on board. He said he is ?at peace and comfortable? with his decision.
?We plan on playing both Riley and Jake at quarterback and feel both will be effective leading our team,? Mendenhall said. ?Each is a talented player with a different style, which will pose some difficulties for opposing defenses. Both players are committed to this decision and excited to lead our team.?
In a meeting to discuss the decision, Mendenhall said both quarterbacks looked him in the eye and agreed this was the best way to handle the situation. Nelson told the media the two-quarterback system would be ?nasty and lethal.?
The news release from BYU was the first time Heaps has been quoted since he joined the program in January. New players and freshmen aren't allowed to speak to the media until after the first game.
Heaps first words? ?I am 100 percent behind this decision,? Heaps said. ?I feel the coaches have made the right decision for both Riley and I and this football team. Riley is a great player and I?m excited to have the opportunity to contribute. This isn?t about me or him; it?s about us? it?s about doing what we can to help our team.?
It's now up to the offensive coaches ? specifically offensive coordinator Robert Anae ? to fashion a game plan that takes advantage of both quarterbacks skills without sacrificing rhythm and execution.
Anae told reporters BYU has two starting quarterbacks.
For now, anyway.
--------------
Picked to lead: BYU junior offensive tackle Matt Reynolds is not known as having an outgoing personality. He is well-spoken and intelligent, but he's always just let his actions speak for him.
Now that he has been elected by his Cougar teammates as a captain (along with senior safety Andrew Rich), Reynolds is prepared for however he's called upon to lead.
?I don't need to go outside of myself and be something I'm not,? Reynolds said. ?I think the guys would see through that. If I feel like I need to say something to somebody or the group, I will, and if not I don't say much. I've kind of been known as a quiet guy on the team, and that's something I'll continue as long as that's what's needed. if more is needed, I'll give more.?
Already during fall camp Reynolds has spoken out more during team sessions in an effort to focus the efforts of the offense.
?There's been times when I felt like there was some more I could contribute, and I've been able to do that,? he said. ?I think the guys have recognized that and that's why they voted the way they did.?
He said he appreciates that his teammates felt he was worthy of their vote.
For that reason, it means a lot,? he said. ?It means I'm a guy somebody wants to have represent them.?
Already an Outland Trophy candidate, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Reynolds was named on Friday to the Lombardi Award watch list. The Outland Trophy is given annually the best college interior lineman in the country. The Lombardi Award is given to the best college linemen or linebacker.
