In all sports, the injury bug ruins people's seasons. Just this season, rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg suffered a torn ligament in his elbow, forcing him to have season ending Tommy John surgery. Approximately 12 months of rehab have put a severe halt to his career and have many wondering whether or not he will live up to the hype that he has had in recent months because of injury.
The injury bug hits every team in one way or another, usually creating havoc for the team as they scramble to try and find people to fill in for the injured player. But this year, the injury bug could be a blessing for the BYU Cougar football team.
Bronco Mendenhall, head coach at BYU, has been under scrutiny for his decision at the end of fall camp to go with a two quarterback system. Most critics disagreed with the decision, and most critics have been proven right. After the Cougars opening game against Washington, Mendenhall looked like a genius, one who knew that he could beat the odds and have a successful quarterback system. After embarrassing losses to Air Force and Florida State, the critics have been proved to be right. The two quarterback system has been horrible for BYU, sporting the lowest passer efficiency rating they've had under Bronco Mendenhall's tenure as Head Coach.
Riley Nelson, junior tranfer quarterback from Utah State, has got all three starts for BYU while highly recruited freshman Jake Heaps has alternated series with Nelson. The game against Florida State started out like the first two weeks of the season, Nelson starting and Heaps coming in for the second series. The third series, it was Nelson again, and he suffered a hard hit as he scrambled on a play. That hard hit, and that series that led to a BYU punt, proved to be the last series for Riley Nelson, at least for this year. Nelson suffered a torn ligament in his shoulder, that a Tuesday MRI showed would require season ending surgery. With 5-6 months of rehab time needed, Nelson's season, and perhaps his career as a quarterback at BYU are over.
While nobody likes to see an injury, this particular injury could have come just in time for Bronco Mendenhall to salvage what's left of the 2010 season. The two quarterback system wasn't working and Mendenhall was wishy-washy at best in his choice in quarterback. This injury has forced Jake Heaps into THE guy for the Cougar football team.
This decision was what many Cougar fans have been hoping for all year long. Jake Heaps is a very talented freshman that is mature beyond his years. He has potential to join the club of elite Cougar quarterbacks. Popular opinion among most BYU fans, is that Riley Nelson and Mendenhall's decision to alternate him with Heaps, was the only thing that was holding Heaps, and the rest of the team down. The old football adege, "when you have 2, you have none" has been said many times by those following BYU football. Well, now BYU has 1, and 1 is more than none.
Heaps has the confidence needed to be a successful quarterback, saying after the Florida State game, that BYU's goal is to "go 10-0 from this point on". Many think that Heaps is the traditional BYU quarterback, the rocket passer, while Nelson was an unconventional option quuarterback. Many say that the switch to a full time rocket passer will solve many of the problems on the offensive side of the ball for the Cougars. Receivers will be able to build some continuity with Heaps, and thus (in theory) start catching more balls. One leader has been picked, and confidence from a coaching staff goes straight to Heaps, and that might just be the right formula for the Cougars to still end this season on a high note.
Riley Nelson's unfortunate injury, might prove well for the Cougars. It could potentially save Mendenhall from even more scrutiny from the media and fans, and help BYU rally to a strong finish to the rest of the season. We wish Riley Nelson a fast and speedy recovery, and wish Jake Heaps the best of luck as he takes the reigns of a prestige position at a prestige university.
-Jeff Hansen
Let me know what you think of the QB situation at BYU! Is this enough to salvage the season?
GO UTES!!!
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