Deseret News | BYU took more than just a QB

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BYU took more than just a QB

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Re; October 3= UFC | 5:31 p.m. May 28, 2008

Um, I have been to that stadium for a BYU/USU throwdown and I can tell you that USU fans were some of the most classless fans I have ever encountered-- and that includes Wyoming fans. Utah Ute fans are docile and mild-mannered in comparison. So, you're telling me there will be hostility, vulgarity and classless behavior? What are you going to tell me next, that the sun rises in the east?

Bad Form | 5:45 p.m. May 28, 2008

I listened to the radio interview, as I'm sure almost everyone else has as well, and Nelson's dad DID say that a BYU coach contacted Logan's coach FIRST! And then contacted Nelson's dad who then contacted the mission president. Then the Y coaches contacted Nelson directly. Very behind the scenes, but it was contact. Just another half-truth from Bronco. Also this article is so (Aggie)blue it's disgusting. It's like Bronco wrote it himself.

Former Aggie | 5:49 p.m. May 28, 2008

Cache Valley needs to chill out! I moved there from California and graduated from Logan High School. The peer pressure to attend USU and NEVER BYU was unbelivable! Whenever I mentioned BYU as a possibility it was met with "you don't want to go to BYU"...

Congratulations to Riley for deciding what is best for HIM! He is doing what I wish I had done many years ago....transferred to BYU!

I'm now back in Calif. and I know LDS kids in California that after seeing the BYU football video "Tradition - Spirit - Honor" have said "that is where I want to play football". I would be honored to have a son play for Bronco Mendenhall!

Comments continue below

Husker | 6:32 p.m. May 28, 2008

Sam Keller was a transfer from ASU. He led, along with Former Head Coach Callahan, Nebraska to what is arguably the darkest period in Nebraska Football History. On the downside, Keller probably represents the epitome of things gone wrong. However, Max Hall is a transfer. This opportunity has helped him as well as BYU. Why not Riley?

The grass .... | 6:37 p.m. May 28, 2008

.... is not always greener on the other side. Who knows if that is good move by Riley? Good luck to him but it could be BYU's version of Ben Olsen.

Amy | 6:45 p.m. May 28, 2008

I am from Provo but I attend USU. I just had to comment that it was suggested that USU guard Old Main because BYU was coming for that next. Have you seen the new alumni center? Slap an A on top of that and you have a mini old-main. Also, BYU no longer has an agricultural program so I'm not sure where their ice cream comes from but it sure isn't from their own cows. This is why Aggie Ice Cream is unique, whether it is better is all a matter of "taste" (but of course it is).
Since BYU has taken our colors, our building, our quarterback, our ice cream ideas, and everything else I'm going to vote that USU is not BYU Logan but that BYU is actually USU-Provo.

Outsider | 7:00 p.m. May 28, 2008

Except for 4 Years of College I have lived my entire life outside of the Utah Vally.

Let's get some perspective. This kid just upgraded from a horrible, just barely D1 football program to a Top level mid-major program. If there is a possibility of playing time at the better school who doesn't make that move?
Ben Olsen did the exact same thing going from a mid major school to a BCS school. You gotta make that move if it's there for you and you're considering a career in football.

Nothing about this is the kid's or BYU's fault. It's USU's fault for having a terrible program.

haunyocker | 7:31 p.m. May 28, 2008

TO: tstu....Does the name Max Hall ring a bell...? didn't he transfer from Arizona State? Isn't he starting quarterback for BYU? Just wondering.

Chip | 7:52 p.m. May 28, 2008

Riley has been out of school over 18 months. He is free game for anyone. whether you like it or not no one did anyting wrong.

Rich | 7:53 p.m. May 28, 2008

David Locke says things to generate ratings. People like to listen to ridiculous arguments, and Locke is great at making everything controversial. I still resent Karl Malone for pushing him out of our market because Locke insisted that Malone wasn't perfect. And Malone wasn't perfect, either. He was a choker and held the ball too much. He was still great, and we might never find an adequate replacement.

Re Smart Alec Trebek | 8:45 p.m. May 28, 2008

Where do you suppose BYU would be today if they had been banished to the Big west for 40 years? Suppose it was USU and Utah picked for the WAC it would be a different story. Quality Players used to settle for BYU as their last choice, when nobody else wanted them, because they had the worst team in the state. I remember the Glory days of the old Romney stadium, with Merlin Olsen and company just rockin the opponent every week. The people in Logan have waited a very long time to get a football power back, so long that most Utahns don't even remember that USU was the perennial football power in the state. But the Ags are on track to rebound, they are stocking the ranks to make a comeback and bring some of the old Aggie football excitement to the state.

I heart Rock | 9:14 p.m. May 28, 2008

Hey, did you clear this article with KOBE...???

I thought everything you did was for KOBE and now you're writing about someone else.

Two wasted columns.

If all you want to do is sell papers pick up the sports beat for the National Enquirer, or start writing about sports.

Blue (BYU) Never Doubts | 9:44 p.m. May 28, 2008

In 1901, USU faculty adopted ROYAL BLUE and white as the school colors!

They were originally called "the Farmers". Likely stole the name from Texas A&M Aggies when they switched to Aggies.

Anybody know when USU switched to Navy Blue?

This info is from their own website!

Hmmmmm....pot calling the kettle black!

ICR | 10:36 p.m. May 28, 2008

It's funny all the whinning that goes on and on in these comment sections. Bronco (BIFF as in Back to the Future movies)is to arrogant to ever admit that his staff contacted Elder Nelson first! And who cares who was first? Both were wrong to do this while one is serving a mission.
This whole thing is a wait and see situation...
Will Riley even play quarterback at the Y?
Will the Aggies beat the Y?
Will the Y be BCS busters? NO
Will the Utes upset the Y?
In the end BYU and UTAH will finish with about the same records as always and the Aggies will probably win one game. And in the end who cares?

The other running QB | 1:47 a.m. May 29, 2008

That other running QB from Connecticut named Steve Young did pretty well in Provo.

BYUFaninNC | 5:24 a.m. May 29, 2008

Me thinks this is much to do about nothin.. Ain't bein' old grand. Go Brooklyn beat them Durn Yankees.!

Oh, the hipocricy of it all | 7:40 a.m. May 29, 2008

I will guarantee you that if Deron Williams pulled a Riley Nelson to go "play for the bigger, better team" in LA, these same self righteous cougar fans would be in an uproar. Of course everyone around the country would say, "Well, its a no brainer. Stay in pathetic little Utah where they have never won a championship, or go to a bigger market and win". How do you like them apples?

jerk | 9:07 a.m. May 29, 2008

RE: Mckay

Football may not be a religion at USU, but basketball is. (heh-heh) USU is a good school. Logan is a charming place. Every school in the country has a few idiots, unfortunately. I'm also convinced that some people post on this site just to cause grief and turmoil. I'm not saying BYU doesn't have overzealous fans, but therr are some "great pretenders" out there.

CougarKeith | 9:41 a.m. May 29, 2008

If I was him I would contact BYU too if I wanted to have a Career in the NFL. I mean what is your future at USU vs BYU? Then again what about diminished skills after the mission? There are NO GUARANTEES! As for the colors thing, They should have left it alone, and BYU did change the color of their helmets which USU still had white helmets. BYU needs to go independent!

True Blue Aggie | 10:08 a.m. May 29, 2008

Every Aggie football game i've been to, i've seen the same problem. All the kids on the team are great athletes, but cannot seem to put it all together. Everyone on the team probably could have gone somewhere else and been a second or third string player, but they decided to come to USU and be a big fish in a small pond. If Riley wants to "play" for BYU, maybe it'll help out my Ags to be a better team. I'm okay with the transfer, but don't even think about touching Old Main.

dave neff | 10:30 a.m. May 29, 2008

Much like the rest of you I am not shocked to see byu recruiting people on missions.

It was nice to see an article about byu stealing USU's color. That was really uncool of them considering the spectrum of colors they had to choose from.

Why didn't they go for red and white?

dave neff | 10:34 a.m. May 29, 2008

Can anyone answer me why byu will not come to logan anymore for basketball?

That is pretty pathetic of them...

byu will play division II schools at home but wont play at Utah State...

byu: dont be afraid of utah state, it makes you look bad since your trying to get in the pac 10 (lol)

Not impressed | 12:10 p.m. May 29, 2008

As someone who recently was looking for grad schools, I saw the top 100 listings for colleges. Under the category, "Highest Acceptance Rate," USU and UVSC were on that list. This is not a good category to be in. That means that basically anyone can get into that school. It's not competitive, which means their academics likely aren't the highest. I talked to many friends who attended USU and they said they weren't pushed all that much. USU isn't a high academic school, comparatively, despite what any Aggie will tell you. I've also been there and watching basketball was the only thing anyone did there. There was so much BYU hate it was uncomfortable being there.

The guy is a talented football player. The guy is very smart. USU is not a football school, neither do they have high academic standards. The guy made the right choice going to a place that fits him better.

I stopped caring about USU because all I feel from them is hatred to BYU, and that is totally wrong. Get over yourselves Aggies. Form a rivalry with Boise, they care about that part of the world.

utah cougar | 12:14 p.m. May 29, 2008

So tstu. Steve young never ran at byu. Get a life all you byu haters.I guess it gives that big powehouse football program in logan more to complain about.I would rather sit on the bench at byu than play at utah state. o gaggies.

true blue | 12:24 p.m. May 29, 2008

Utah goes to a bcs and plays a weak team. Lets see heisman, doke walker,. outland winner national champs. Steve young super bowl mvp. By the way what proof do you have byu talked to him first.I guess when your a team from s.l.c you see everything in red.Right yewts

Alex Trebek | 12:27 p.m. May 29, 2008

RE: Smart Alec Trebek

Like I said, stop living in the past and dealing with hypothetical "what if BYU had been left behind 40 years ago..." situations. It didn't happen and the Cougs don't make excuses for their failures.

usu? | 12:41 p.m. May 29, 2008

The pathetic, saggy, baggy, aggie cow college is a glorified high school with athletics (academics and morals) to match. Who could blame someone for escaping the Cache Valley?

Justin | 12:45 p.m. May 29, 2008

It's too bad Riley's leaving, but the real problem Utah State has is Brent Guy. Until they can get a coach who can do something besides 1st down: QB draw, 2nd down: screen pass to the right, and 3rd down: run it up the middle, even though there's 19 yards to go for a first down, they will never win more than two games.

And about this outrageous comment: "We have cuter girls, too." Here's the problem: BYU used to have very beautiful girls until a huge portion of the student body started coming from the east coast and California. Now they're just like any other school. Aggie girls are mostly UTAH girls, and therefore, are much cuter. Anyone will concede that point.

dave neff | 1:10 p.m. May 29, 2008

These arugments are a waste of server space...

Hey 'Not Impressed' did you know that USU and UVSC are state schools and byu is not?

No state school has any requirements for enrollment until it gets full. This must be hard to understand but its very simple.

Mormons from Utah and outside of Utah want to go to byu so they need requirements to get in unless they expand.

byu will continue to be no better than USU, Utah, & Weber as long as their tuition remains competitive to our state schools.

Who here agrees byu should discontinue all sports programs? byu is an embarrassment to Utahns and Mormons. They should focus on academics. Also, byu sports is a waste of tithing.

dave neff | 1:11 p.m. May 29, 2008

Justin: does it really matter how cute or uncute the girls are at byu? They are all married...don't see why this is worth discussing.

Joe | 1:27 p.m. May 29, 2008

Once again, BYU makes the church look bad!

Aggieman | 1:29 p.m. May 29, 2008

I went to Logan High and I graduated from USU and I really must say that I can't blame Riley for making this decision. USU football is depressing. Hopefully things are starting to turn around, but I don't get my hopes up for that. Riley made what was probably the best choice for him, but he did sacrifice playing time for this. Believe it or not, players from USU do go to the pros and some are very successful. Riley could have made a name for himself at USU. I just hope he does well. I cheer for any local Utah player.

On a side note,I like sports where every team that plays has a chance to be a champion. No matter how well BYU plays, they will never play for the national championship in this era of college football. BYU can lose 1 game all year, win their conference and their reward is to play the 5th or 6th place team in the PAC 10. Boring!!! Because of this set up, I don't like college football.

Go USU, go BYU, go any team that can be a BCS buster. BOOO BCS! It is ruining college football.

Old Aggie Fan | 1:56 p.m. May 29, 2008

This comment will probably be lost in the myriad of thoughts others have responded with already (btw I'm old enough to be a fan of all the Utah schools--I suppose that's a rarity nowadays in this era of extreme, "in your face", partisanship).

When I think of great Utah State quarterbacks, I think of Bill Munson. Sorry he wasn't mentioned.

Another great Aggie, though he played basketball was Wayne Estes. Both these guy were super athletes (now deceased) and deserve not to be forgotten!!

I agree with Dave Neff | 2:14 p.m. May 29, 2008

Discontinue sports at BYU and go the route that BYU Idaho has gone so more academia is maintained. BYU-Idaho has a great Intramural program that allows so many more students to partake in sports.

Also all you die-hard BYU fans don't fool yourself or justify the fact that BYU coaches contacted a full-time LDS Missionary on his mission to recruit him. I think the Missionary handbook doesn't allow contact like that. They didn't break NCAA rules maybe but how about mission rules. I can hear it now "it's OK because it is the lord's school and he will serve a mission as a missionary on the field"

But all things being equal I hope if the move is better for the athlete then he does well and plays well. I have to agree BYU has a better team than USU and he may get a lot more exposure.

Greener | 3:09 p.m. May 29, 2008

It's not about Riley Nelson, it's about all the fundamentalist Cougs out there that just can't get enough of thinking that Bronco makes them feel the "spirit" and that's why they love him....he's a football coach and that's it. He might be running a campaign for a position in the Seventy, but the rest of us see right through him.

Get over it Cougs, you have a good football program that will never be anything more than mediocre outside the mountain west.

BYU Athlete Missions | 4:38 p.m. May 29, 2008

I'm rooting for Riley to complete his mission. It would be great if BYU actually had an athlete on its roster that didn't come home early. GO COUGS!

BYU delusional | 4:43 p.m. May 29, 2008

RE: CougarKeith

NFL future?
1. Riley has zero chance at the NFL with his size
2. Do you even know what's going on outside of your bubble down there in happy valley? This year's NFL draft, USU=2 BYU & Utah =0 If you can play, the NFL will find you and with several key players in the NFL right now, they certainly know where USU is.

SSgt Joe | 4:51 p.m. May 29, 2008

Well I must say Charlie Peterson Still holds the record over McMahon at BYU...

Riley You will learn quick my friend

Outsider | 4:52 p.m. May 29, 2008

As an impartial party, this doesn't look good for BYU. Just because they you say you are holding your institution to a higher standard doesn't make it so.

I personally think this is some damage control or a preventative move by Bronco and the BYU AD. Even if Riley never steps foot on the field for them, they have essentially taken him away from any potential match up they may have with USU down the road. Can you imagine the meltdown that would occur if USU was to somehow beat BYU with a local LDS kid at the helm?

Anonymous | 4:57 p.m. May 29, 2008

I started my college education at one University, and finished at another.

No one accused me of making any church, school, institution, faith etc. look bad.

20 year old kids change their minds.

Sorry you all have to live in Utah.

Makes you miserable, doesn't it.

Justin | 5:54 p.m. May 29, 2008

"Justin: does it really matter how cute or uncute the girls are at byu? They are all married...don't see why this is worth discussing."

Haha-good point

Sad Aggie Fan.... | 6:01 p.m. May 29, 2008

It's truly embarrassing to see how someone choosing to change schools has become (to some people) a right vs. wrong decision. As a USU alum and fan, I am dissapointed that we lost what we thought was our QB for a couple years, but he made what was the best decision for him. Good for him.

Anyone who thinks that BYU is in the wrong for responding to a recruit who was interested in them is downright silly. By assigning your own set of rules to the situation and then judging the school or coaching staff based on your own set of rules is exactly the "holier than thou" attitude that you'll probably accuse BYU of next week.

I think I'm jealous - like many of you on this board appear to be, but not jealous enough to appoint myelf as the judge for what is right and wrong in what I'm sure was a very complicated situation.

micah baker | 6:26 p.m. May 29, 2008

The sad part is after all this wasted time discussing Nelson he probably will never even play...

I went to all the USU home games and heard about him in high school. I realize he played those couple games as a true freshman but I'm honestly surprised byu even cared to "hire" him.

Does anyone know if he is a walk-on or not?

Oh and 'BYU delusional' don't forget about Weber State in this year's NFL Draft:

USU: 2
WSU: 1
byu: 1
Utah: 0

LOL byu it seems like this decade is getting out done by Weber for football players going pro pretty embarrassing considering byu doesn't even acknowledge Weber. Weber's had 3 offensive lineman get drafted in the last 4 yrs. Isn't WSU Div I-AA?

Then again WSU soundly beats byu in ogden in basketball over the last 30+ yrs. Since byu wont go to Logan for bball, when are they gonna stop going to Ogden too. I think WSU is like 10-5 at home vs these Aggie Color Stealers.

Dog | 6:27 p.m. May 29, 2008

Go for the gold Riley. But I really wish he would have looked up what "Red" could have done for him. I think he would have looked really good in crimson!

micah baker | 6:40 p.m. May 29, 2008

I agree with Dog. If your gonna transfer how can you over look the Utes. Utah seems like the obvious choice if your not going out of state.

The dumbest part of Nelson was he was recruited by Stanford and Washington. Ending up at byu, that sucks. He shoulda taken some notes from Ben Olson who went on to UCLA.

But don't bring that up or byu fans will go off how their mtn west champ cougars played the 5th place team in the pac 10 in the las vegas bowl (is that one of the new bowl games?)and barely beat them.

Olson didn't even play, a freshman quarterback started the game. UCLA's starting runningback, receivers and quarterback all were injured and didn't play in the bowl game.

UCLA started out 11th in the nation and by the end of the season they basically had no one left.

I'm sure byu fans would tell you they are ready to school UCLA in bball too...

SpokoCoug | 6:45 p.m. May 29, 2008

I just read all the comments from this story and read a lot of the comments from many stories and I just have to laugh at this guy that writes in all the time saying he is a USC fan and has to belittle Utah and all the sports there. The question I have is, "Why, if BYU, Utah and USU are so little and nothing in your eyes, do you even read anything dealing with them"? Wouldn't that be like us poor BYU fans reading all the news and commenting on web sites from the likes of some Junior College? If USC is so great, go to their web site and gloat about how great they are and get bashed by the "big boys".

ice cream | 6:58 p.m. May 29, 2008

I made the BYU Icecream for 3 months, it is excellent quality, we don't need to try and beat Aggie ice cream when we already have it going for us.

marshall baker | 6:59 p.m. May 29, 2008

Uh, why is anyone talking about usc in these comments? should we discuss florida state too? seems just as irrelevant.

attn yall: this article was meant for bashing byu, no one cares about usc.

usc didnt copy usu's colors or recruit usu's players.

overall if you really think about it it makes perfect sense that out of our 5 universities that 2 are red and 2 are dark blue and one is purple.

i think the one odd ball should become dark blue too. oh and uvsc will be a univ this july so they should go with red as their color to make it even or just go with usu blue like byu.

Who Cares | 7:19 p.m. May 29, 2008

I am a Ute fan, I cannot stand BYU/TDS what ever you want to call them. Bottom line. It is his life, his decision and most importantly his right. No matter who initiated contact, what was said, mission rules, what ever. Let the young man go and live with his decision. If I were a talented young quarter back. What would I do, stay with a program that has struggled for years, has mediocre recievers, mediocre offensive line, and plays in a conference dominated by BSU, Hawaii, and Fresno State or Play behind a large, solid O line, have decent recievers, and as painful as this is to admit has won two conference championships, is listed as a possible BCS buster, and oh ya has a tradition at my position. Leave the kid and his family alone let him play in Provo and go on with his life. All is fair in love and war. GO Utes!!!!

Frustrating Articles | 7:27 a.m. May 30, 2008

Stealing? I live in cedar city ut and have ties to both schools up north. Should an athlete be scrutinized about leaving a scholarship from suckie suu on the table to play at BYU because of loyalty reasons. I think not.
If anybody remembers the Burgess kid who verbaly commited to BYU for basketball, and then signed with Duke and everyone was up in arms. He didnt do well at Duke, and ended up with the utes, but it was a good move. He had a chance to play for a great team with great recognition. No blame.

My point is that we cant blame any of these kids for choosing what they feal is in their best interest. It's only football. Hate each others schools all you want, but not the kids. This is why high school sports are so political. To many people up on their high horse.

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