PROVO -- Saturday night ended in favor of the BYU Cougars and with their 42-7 victory over the Idaho Vandals improved to 7-3 on the season with just two games left in their inaugural season as an independent. However, amidst all of the progress the team has shown over the last several weeks leading up to and including Saturday's easy victory lies the lingering question at the quarterback position.

While the original change at quarterback, from Jake Heaps to Riley Nelson, had to do with performance, the second change, back to Heaps from Nelson, had nothing to do with the lefty's effectiveness, but rather an injury to the "gamer."

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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, saying "it is an adjustment."

Nelson was knocked out of Saturday's game with two fractured ribs and a deflated lung. He stayed in the hospital for two days before being released Monday.

"There is a chance that Riley could return to play as soon as (at) Hawaii (on December 3rd)," said BYU Head coach Bronco Mendenhall. "They're listing a four- week recovery at this point. Normally when they give those times, it's conservative in nature."

For now the team, and fans, turn to the sophomore Heaps. Ever since his lackluster performance against Utah St. and then being benched, besides a few tosses in the Idaho State game, Heaps has been somewhat of an afterthought with Nelson at the helm.

"I think he was hungry. He looked poised to me, and he looked confident, and he looked like he was anxious to reestablish himself," said Mendenhall after Heaps' 185- yard, two-touchdown performance. "Jake came in and managed the game well. Moved the team well. Made a lot of good decisions and got a lot of quality work."

Heaps looked confident and accurate except for one overthrown pass that was intercepted. Heaps made the right read, just overshot his target. The young quarterback finished 15 for 20 and all but one of his six drives ended in touchdowns.

"It was just good to get out there and throw and be with the guys," said Heaps. "We're just going to keep moving forward, and there's really nothing but positive things to look forward to after this."

"I feel like (Heaps) had a different leadership. He knew that we need to win, so he's coming in with a chip on his shoulder," said Hoffman who caught two touchdown passes, one from each quarterback. "He just did what he needed to do."

But it wasn't quite enough to be named starter.

Saturday night Mendenhall opined, "We have two excellent quarterbacks. The decision (on who starts) might be made for us just because of injury to Riley at this point."

After getting exact details of Nelson's injury Mendenhall said, "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 (to Hawaii), because of the pressurization in the cabin when he's flying. That will be a decision that will come later."

And Mendenhall made clear, if Nelson is healthy he will start. But if not he and his players are confident in Heaps.

"I would expect (Heaps) 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."

It sounds like the team is already sold.

"Both of them are great quarterbacks. Jake came in and balled out, and that's what we need," said running back Mike Alisa. "Jake's a great player. The way he's handled this season has been fantastic, I respect him a bunch for that."

Email: onlinesports@ksl.com

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