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By DOUG ALDEN AP Sports Writer
PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Jason Beck barely had a chance to warm up before his debut for Brigham Young.
Two years later, he's getting a full week to prepare for what could be his first start if quarterback John Beck's sprained ankle isn't ready Saturday when BYU hosts Utah State.
"It's going to be a game-time decision for John, but I'm preparing as if I will have the start and looking forward to that," Jason Beck said Wednesday. "If John ends up starting, I'll be ready to play -- whatever the situation is."
John Beck is questionable for Saturday's game after aggravating his ankle injury last weekend in a double-overtime loss at Boston College. He is wearing a cast in practice this week and leaving the first-team offense to Jason Beck (no relation).
With what the Cougars (1-2) have ahead of them, it's unlikely they will take a chance with John Beck's health against the winless Aggies (0-3). After Utah State, BYU opens the Mountain West Conference season next Thursday at No. 16 TCU, which holds the nation's longest winning streak.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall said he will decide before the game which Beck will start. John has nearly three years of starting experience and is fifth on the career passing list at BYU with 8,101 yards.
Jason Beck hasn't completed a pass since 2004, when he replaced Matt Berry after Berry cut his hand early in a 37-10 loss at Stanford. He was 23-for-46 for 232 yards and three interceptions. That was his first season with the program after transferring from a California junior college.
Beck redshirted last fall and has thrown one pass -- an incompletion -- late in a rout over Tulsa.
"I think it was like the third or fourth play of the game and I just went in and played," said Beck, who was called on after Berry cut his hand on the second drive. "This week I've taken first-team reps all week and so I do feel more prepared. And also I've just had a lot more time here, a lot more experience in general. So I feel a lot more confident and prepared than back then."
Whoever plays quarterback will be taking snaps from veteran lineman Jake Kuresa, who is moving over one spot from right guard to center. Starter Sete Aulai is suspended for Saturday's game for violating team rules.
The Cougars are also without senior left tackle Eddie Keele, who tore a knee ligament against Boston College.
"It's been a pretty significant blow to the football team, not necessarily as an offensive lineman, but as a senior and as someone that's well liked and cared about by this football team," Mendenhall said. "They're hurting a little bit on his behalf."
Mendenhall said offensive line coach Jeff Grimes was already in the office Monday when Mendenhall arrived at 5 a.m., adjusting the lineup for Utah State and the upcoming MWC season.
"When you add a backup quarterback to that mix as well, that's one more element of volatility so we have some real work to do in terms of getting that unit together and cohesive quickly," Mendenhall said.
On the Net: www.byucougars.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-09-20-06 1653MDT
