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BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall updated quarterback Riley Nelson's health status and talked about the switch from Nelson to Jake Heaps during the coach's weekly press conference Monday morning, saying "it is an adjustment."
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"There will have to be some things changed," said Mendenhall about the move from a mobile quarterback to a pocket QB. "There are a number of running plays that make (Nelson) effective...but Riley's simple ability to scramble is what makes it so difficult."
"I couldn't give you the percentage of offense that would change, because now it's Jake in rather than Riley, other than the scrambling ability and the ability to create in the backfield, escaping rushers, etc....that will be the biggest and the most noticeable thing."
You can hear all of Mendenhall's comments by clicking on his press conference audio link in "Cougar Cuts" to the left.
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Mendenhall said Nelson spent a second night in the hospital on Sunday night, but should be released today. The coach updated Nelson's condition, saying that a hit he took in the Idaho game broke two ribs and caused a 30% collapse in one of his lungs.
"There is a chance that Riley could return to play as soon as (at) Hawaii (on December 3rd)," said Mendenhall. "They're listing a four- week recovery at this point. Normally when they give those times, it's conservative in nature."
"One of the issues will be, any time there is a lung injury, with extended air travel, that adds increased risk. So...he might be able to play, but might not be able to make the trip, because of the pressurization in the cabin when he's flying. That will be a decision that will come later."
Mendenhall confirmed that if and when Nelson is ready to play again, he will retake his spot as the starting quarterback.
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I asked Mendenhall if he found it interesting or ironic that his running QB was hurt while throwing the football:
"It's not that he was just throwing it, he was standing in until the very last second with a guy bearing in on him. He sees him bearing in on him, and he stands and throws it anyway, and throws a touchdown."
"What's more ironic is that wasn't the play he was hurt on...he had been playing already with (the injury)." Indeed, the hit on which Nelson was initially injured occurred earlier in the touchdown drive.
Of the two plays on which Nelson took hits, Mendenhall said there was fault with neither the plays' design nor blocking.
"It was just simply a pass rusher coming off a block late. You would like to have the protection hold a hair longer, but when he's sacked is when I become more alarmed. In this case, it was right after delivery."
Mendenhall noted that after the injury, "because (Nelson's) pain threshold and his tolerance is so high, trying to get an idea of how hurt he was" became a challenge. "Because he doesn't act hurt."
Mendenhall says the BYU medical staff diagnosed Nelson's injury "when they pressed on his chest cavity...it wasn't him saying he was in dire pain or anything."
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About Heaps' re-insertion as starter, Mendenhall says "Jake has a great opportunity."
"I'm not sure it's a matter of trust," said Mendenhall when asked if Heaps has a chance to "regain some trust" of players and coaches by virtue of the latest turn of events. "I think it's just a matter of continuing to play with poise and maturity and increased confidence in leading our team."
"Jake, much like Riley a year ago, had the much more difficult part of the schedule to begin with, and as now he has a chance to re-emerge or re-surge, I would expect him to do it now after having watched at a level of increased leadership, excitement, execution, and really demonstrate--to not only the team but to everyone around BYU Football--just to remind them how capable he really is. He showed that Saturday, and I think he'll show it again this upcoming Saturday."
"This isn't about (Heaps') inability to play; this is simply about his ability to continue to learn and grow and be tutored and mentored, and grow over time, knowing that he basically is the equivalent of a redshirt freshman this year, with a lot of great football ahead of him."
"(Heaps) played very well last year, and will continue to play well this year, based on when Riley can come back--or maybe if he doesn't, (Heaps) might be our quarterback who finishes the season."
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More from Mendenhall--
Asked if BYU is "trading TV exposure" for local fan interest, noting smaller crowd numbers v. Idaho and an anticipated attendance drop-off v. New Mexico State, for another late kickoff against a sub-.500 team:
"I would certainly like to see (LaVell Edwards Stadium) full...(but) to me the (announced Saturday crowd) of 58,000 is still a really strong showing under those circumstances. And then when you add those 58,000 to all the others that are seeing it (on ESPN2), there are still more people seeing our games."
"I think anyone there saw us play good football, so I was happy with the way our team played. We have a chance to continue, through two more regular season games, and a postseason game, to build our program and make it stronger and stronger. This test that we have this Saturday (v. New Mexico State) is more significant than last week."
"Whether an 8:15 start will affect it to where there will be 58,000 or 57,000, there will be many more watching it on TV. I would certainly like both; I would love for the stands to be absolutely full, and I'd love for everyone who had a chance to get the chance to get the channel to be watching it."
"That's what I'd prefer, but right now the number of people that are seeing it so far outweighs a few of the (stadium) corners that are empty."
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