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PROVO - For the first time in his college career Riley Nelson participated in spring football as a starting quarterback.
The senior has been in constant battles for the starting position during his career both at Utah State and BYU. Now that his status as the starter is solid he was able to focus on other things.
"I feel like I've gotten better," Riley says. "I also feel that I've exposed some areas that before spring ball I wasn't aware of where I can get better. That's what happens in your natural progression. Things that were a problem you work on them and master them. It's a never-ending process."
The list is as follows, with the team's season record and in parentheses. The QB's individual passing stats for the season are also included:
- Gary Sheide, 1974 (7-4-1, 1st WAC); 60%, 2174 yds, 23 td/19 int
- Marc Wilson, 1979 (11-1, 1st WAC); 59%, 3720 yds, 29 td/15 int
- Jim McMahon, 1981 (11-2, 1st WAC); 64%, 3555 yds, 30 td/7 int
- Steve Young, 1983 (11-1, 1st WAC); 71%, 3902 yds, 33 td/10 int
- Robbie Bosco, 1985 (11-3, 1st WAC); 66%, 4273 yds, 30 td/24 int
- Ty Detmer, 1991 (8-3-2, 1st WAC); 64%, 4031 yds, 35 td/12 int
- Steve Sarkisian, 1996 (14-1, 1st WAC); 69%, 4027 yds, 33 td/12 int
- Kevin Feterik, 1999 (8-4, t-1st MWC); 61%, 3554 yds, 25 td/15 int
- Brandon Doman, 2001 (12-2, 1st MWC); 64%, 3542 yds, 33 td/8 int
- John Beck, 2006 (11-2, 1st MWC); 69%, 3885 yds, 32 td/8 int
- Max Hall, 2009 (11-2, 2nd MWC); 67%, 3,560 yds, 33 td/14 int
He is also happy with the progress of the team.
"As an offense I feel very encouraged about where we are at," he says. "As a team overall is where I feel most confident because of the cohesion we've been able to form, the bonds, and then just watching guys flying around and their absolute love and tenacity for the game."
Senior quarterbacks historically have enjoyed a lot of success at BYU as Greg Wrubell has documented well in Cougar Tracks. Since 1972, BYU has averaged 10.5 wins per season when led by a senior starter.
Riley is aware of the history and studied it extensively. He is more concerned about enjoying the moment.
"The only thing about it being my senior year is I know there is no football after this," he says. "Just savor the moment, spend more time with the guys and in the film room. I'm putting my heart and soul, not that I didn't before but, there is that added sense of urgency."
As a Utah native he understands the importance of in-state games. While fans and some teammates look forward to trips to South Bend and Atlanta, the two games he looks forward to the most will be played on Utah soil.
"You've got to win state," he says. "It's almost the same mentality of high school football."
Nelson looks forward to playing Utah and Utah State. He started 8 games as a freshman at Utah State before serving an LDS mission. He has never faced Utah as a starter and would love to avenge last year's embarrassing loss in Provo.
"You've got to win your state in order to have a successful year," he says. "That does so much for the program, not only for morale, but for the fan support and recruiting in the future."
While wins over Boise St., Notre Dame and Georgia Tech would be nice, wins over the in-state rivals would mean much more to Riley.
"I'm 1-2 versus Utah in my career here and 1-1 versus Utah State and those are two of the toughest games of the year," he says. "If we don't take care of our home turf of our home state then the rest of those games don't mean very much."
