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PROVO — BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum will return to the active roster for Friday night's homecoming game against Boise State, head coach Kalani Sitake said during his pregame comments on KSL Newsradio.
Mangum's return, which will kick off at 8:15 p.m. MDT on ESPN and KSL Newsradio, will be the junior quarterback's first live game action since a 19-13 loss to rival Utah.
"Our first thought is to go with (Mangum) and see how it goes," Sitake told KSL Newsradio. "I think for the most part, that's our plan right now.
"We’ll have to see how he feels in pregame, but he practiced basically all week.”
Sitake mentioned Joe Critchlow and Kody Wilstead as potential quarterback options, as well. Koy Detmer Jr. also warmed up prior to Friday night's kickoff.
Mangum came up limping with an apparent ankle injury on the final drive of that game, when he completed 21-of-39 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Sitake has not commented on the specific nature of Mangum's injury, citing the program's policy of not disclosing injuries unless they end an athlete's season. But Mangum was spotted wearing a walking boot and riding a foot scooter on campus days after the initial injury, including the following week at LaVell Edwards Stadium against Big Ten power Wisconsin.
The 6-foot-3 junior went through warmups with heavily taped ankles during the Cougars' pregame walkthrough at LaVell Edwards Stadium. He previously emerged from the team bus wearing a walking boot, but walking normally.
Mangum has not played since the final down against the then-No. 23 Utes. Backup quarterback Beau Hoge made his first career start in a 40-6 loss to then-No. 10 Wisconsin, and was injured during a 40-24 loss at in-state rival Utah State.
Koy Detmer Jr. then subbed in, followed by Austin Kafentzis who finished the game against the Aggies at quarterback. Kafentzis primarily ran the run-option plays as a converted running back.
Detmer Jr., Kafentzis and redshirt candidates Joe Critchlow and Kody Wilstead each saw time at quarterback during practice leading up to Friday night's homecoming game, according to offensive coordinator Ty Detmer.
Game Center
Live scoring: BYU vs Boise State
Follow along as BYU (1-4) hosts Boise State (2-2) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.A 54.4 percent passer on the season, Mangum has thrown for 466 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions for the Cougas, whose 1-4 record rates among the worst starts since legendary coach LaVell Edwards took over the program in 1972.
The native of Eagle, Idaho — just outside Boise — will be looking to face his hometown Broncos for the second time in his college career. Mangum, who was recruited by BYU, Boise State, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford and Utah (among others), threw for 309 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 35-24 win over then-No. 20 Boise State in 2015 — the first start of his college career.
