PROVO — When BYU quarterback Max Hall suffered a right shoulder separation in the Wyoming game last November, a week before a showdown with archrival Utah, backup Brenden Gaskins prepared as though he would be taking snaps against the Utes.

Then again, that mindset is nothing new for Gaskins.

"As a backup, you think every week you might be called upon," he said. "Every game is like that. You have to prepare for every game.

"I'm just looking to help out the team in any way that I can. That means I need to prepare myself so if I'm called upon, I can help the team. My preparation is important as an individual, but our goal is to get better as a team. Whatever I can do to help to make our team better, that's what I want to do."

As it turned out, Hall played against Utah despite the shoulder injury and led the Cougars to a dramatic victory.

Still, the BYU coaching staff knows that developing backup quarterbacks is a major goal of spring practices.

"Spring is a more important time than even fall for the backup quarterback, as we can distribute the reps more evenly and put in more contact situations than you can in fall camp," said coach Bronco Mendenhall. "We think this is a huge spring for Brenden."

Gaskins signed with Nevada out of high school, went on a mission and played one season at Glendale Community College before transferring to BYU. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior emerged last spring while Hall and Cade Cooper battled for the starting job.

Cooper sustained a season-ending foot injury early in the spring game. Gaskins entered the contest and completed 19-of-22 passes for 174 yards. He engineered a methodical 12-play, 97-yard drive that culminated with a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reed White.

"Everyone who isn't starting, or doesn't have a significant role, waits for those moments where they can show that the opportunity will meet the preparation," Gaskins said of the spring game.

"If you're prepared, and the opportunity comes, you'll succeed. Not because Cade got hurt, but because of the situation, I was able to go out and show the coaches that I could play and I was grateful for the opportunity they gave me."

Cooper ended up transferring to Oregon, and Gaskins spent the 2007 season backing up Hall, appearing in six games. He completed 2-of-4 passes for 31 yards and an interception. During the winter, coaches awarded Gaskins a scholarship.