With John Beck's status for Saturday in question, backup Jason Beck will be ...Ready to roll

PROVO — Toiling in relative obscurity the past couple of years as a backup quarterback, Jason Beck is undergoing a crash course this week in being a starting BYU QB.

On Wednesday, he found himself surrounded by an army of reporters during the Cougars' weekly media luncheon. Cameras, microphones and tape recorders were stuck in his face as he fielded all manner of questions. In that setting, Beck acted cool, calm and composed.

But what will happen when the senior takes the field at LaVell Edwards Stadium this Saturday as BYU hosts Utah State?

Three-year starter John Beck has been hampered by a nagging high ankle sprain and may not play, which means Jason has been playing the role of starter during practices this week. As for which Beck will start Saturday, coach Bronco Mendenhall said, "I think it will go down to a game-day decision."

So, Jason Beck is operating under the assumption that he will start against the Aggies. "This week, I'm getting a lot of work. I'm sweating a lot more at practice, I'm taking a lot more reps," he said. "But all season long, me and John get the same amount of work, so I've been able to stay sharp. It's kind of exciting. I'm putting in more time watching film and getting prepared. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a game-time decision, but I'm preparing as if I am going to start. I'm looking forward to that. If John ends up starting, I'll be ready to play, whatever the situation is."

Of course, Beck has seen significant playing time before for the Cougars, although under much different circumstances. Two seasons ago at Stanford, then-starter Matt Berry (playing for an injured John Beck) suffered an injury in the first quarter and Jason Beck got the call. He completed 23 of 46 passes for 232 yards and three interceptions in a 37-10 setback to the Cardinal.

"It was my second game here, and that was a lot of fun, but it was jumping into the fire," he recalled. "This time, I've had three years so I feel a lot more comfortable and confident. I feel a lot more ready to play and do well."

During that Stanford game, Jason Beck injured his arm and he didn't play the rest of the season. Last year, he redshirted. Beck signed with BYU prior to the 2004 season out of College of the Canyons, where he led his team to a 11-1 record and a No. 4 national junior college ranking.