BYU football: Bronco Mendenhall defends 2-quarterback system

PROVO — A two-quarterback system can be fraught with peril.

But BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall says he is "completely comfortable" with his decision, announced Friday, to start junior Riley Nelson at quarterback for the season-opener on Sept. 4 against Washington and bring freshman Jake Heaps into the game off the bench.

"We plan on playing both Riley and Jake at quarterback and feel both will be effective leading our team," Mendenhall said.

Nelson, known for his running ability, will be under center for the first series and will be listed as the starter. Heaps, a gifted passer, also will be given opportunities to engineer the offense against the Huskies. That's how the Cougars plan to proceed, at least through the first game.

"They're both excellent leaders and they both bring different styles of play," Mendenhall said. "Ultimately, I think we're going to need both quarterbacks to help us reach our goals this year. I think it's the right thing for the young men involved, and it's the right thing for our team."

Mendenhall admitted these plans "could modify after Week 1," he said. "What I told both quarterbacks was, it's based now on how they handle game experience. So the reps could remain dead-even. They could shift one way or another, or it could change by opponent."

The Cougars are committed to playing both QBs, regardless of what those outside the program, including fans, think.

"There will be those who will want a new quarterback the minute the first incomplete pass is thrown, as I very well know will happen," Mendenhall said. "There might even be boos on occasion. But what I've told Riley and Jake and our coaching staff is, they will not deter us from our plan. We'll do what's best for these kids, our program and our future."

Mendenhall explained that Nelson earned the start over Heaps because of "the maturity of life experiences. Not necessarily performance on the field, because that was almost identical in leading our team with Jake. But when you consider now, being the quarterback at BYU, in this community, with these expectations, and the things people say and the things people do, and the exposure that one has, Riley is older. He's served a mission. He's had other life experiences.

"It's a very unique position. I haven't adequately been able to prepare any starting quarterback here for what that's going to be like. Riley is the closest to being ready for that. So, it just made a lot of sense."