Comments about ‘Making Riley Nelson into a legendary quarterback’

Good luck to Riley and the Cougars tomorrow!

I hate to predict a win tomorrow, as so many of these games are close and come down to the last possession. But BYU is the better team and should win by 17. That being said, it has more to do with our defense then Riley Nelson. He has no legacy here really. I think 8-1 as a starter, but hasn't beaten anyone of significance. I would take Carter, Shiede, Nilsen, Wilson, Mcmahon, Young, Bosco, Detmer, Sarkisian, Feterik, Engeman, Doman, Beck, Hall over him. I'm sure there are others as well. I think he could cement his place at BYU with a special season, but it would really take a miracle and require a perfect season. Even then he would be a top 5 QB here, just a average QB with a great defense. That being said, I hope the Cougars go out tomorrow and put on a clinic. Rise Up!

@provo4life - Nelson versus one of the QBs you listed is not a choice. Nelson vs Heaps was the choice last year. Nelson vs Munns, Hill, Lark is the choice this year.

Nelson's respectability as a QB will continue to rise throughout the year. He may not land in the NFL, but I wouldn't be surprised if he found a home in the CFL.

To continue along the same line as Provo4Life, here's what it going to take for Riley to cement his status as a "BYU Quarterback". Really a quite simple list of action items over the next four months to include:

1. Beat Utah Saturday
2. Beat Boise State next Thursday
3. Beat Utah State (suddenly formidable)
4. Beat Notre Dame in South Bend
5. Beat Georgia Tech in Atlanta
6. Run the table
7. Lead Cougs to the "Promised Land" aka BCS bowl

Too much to ask of Mr. Nelson? Probably.

Too much pressure for one QB? Probably.

Nevertheless Riley and teammates (and coaches), we are fully invested in your future legendary status!

And if none of items 2-7 come to pass, at least make # 1 happen in RES Saturday night!!

Go Riley! And go Cougs!!

"Nelson has quieted most of his critics "

Enough of this nonsense. Comparing Nelson to Steve Young is laughable and a complete insult. Nelson couldn't even play ball - boy for Young. Young is a Hall of Fame, Super Bowl winning, NFL star for heaven sake so let's stop with the ridiculous comparisons. Just because both are left handed doesn't make them equal. Nelson is the worst QB to ever start at BYU and I go all the way back to before Mark Lyons in the 1960's. Jake Heaps was really good under Brad Anae but disintegrated under Doman. If Anae were still the offensive coordinator at the Y Heaps would be putting up Max Hall type numbers this year. A coach can ruin a player and Doman did just that with Heaps.

Nelson is a 5'10" scrambler that struggles to throw the ball down field more than 20 yards. He doesn't see the field well at all and his accuracy is horrible beyond 10 yards. The bowl game last year was terrible for Nelson other than the final play of the game. BYU needs to flush the coaching staff and the AD!! BIG12 or bust!

patriot

Could you entertain us with all the great positives of the team that lost last week to USU?

I need a good laugh.

Yes patriot, let's hear all of them!

So if Nelson wins, utah loses to the "worst BYU QB ever". Add that to being beaten by a "wacky" team and doubt you'll be posting on our blog much anymore.

parrot

Being louder and more obnoxious does not make you more believeable and right.

I followed Steve Young his first year at the helm at BYU. He was not born a full-grown hall of famer, he grew into it.

Your statements about his abilitues are falacious. According to you, BYU only scored 7 points against Tulsa.

Riley is the one right now, this year, he's better than you give him credit for, and he has the right stuff to inspire his team mates.

Oh, and by the way, you are wrong of your assesment of Doman too. The main thing that stood in the way of Jake Heaps continuing to grow as the undisputed leader of the BYU football program was his own inability to pay the price and lead. Anae could have helped him, Doman could have done better, but Jake's failure to put the team before his own future was the dominant factor.

Enjoy the game!

Riley isn't much of a quarterback but he's pretty enthusiastic. It'll be fun to watch him struggle when times get difficult.

Long after this game, regardless of the score, Riley will continue to be a winner.

4601

So true! He is a rare breed, many young boys want to grow up to be a BYU QB and only a few make it and fewer than that make themselves known for years thereafter.

Riley has already accomplished that and the opportunity to go further awaits him. Maybe even tonight.

Go BYU!

Riley is an improvement from Heaps... But legendary? No. He's not even the best in the state at his position. #chuckie16

No one should have to "check his religion at the door", but is it always wise to wear it one your sleve?

Utah 31
Byu 10

If I am wrong I won't post all year

I will post all year.

Chris B, wow! That is quite a promise, so if the score is Utah 30 and BYU 10 you won't post all year (under any login name)? Thank you Chris!

It seems that being the BMOC is precarious position sometimes. It didn't take long last year for Jake Heaps to go from "the next Jimmer" to being booed by his fans.

I would like to see it but I don't think BYU will get 150 yds rushing against Utah. I hope they watched the film of the USU-Utah game to see how to run against Utah. It is not up the middle for Nelson or the running backs.
GO BYU!!!! "make my day".

Go BYU!!!

Love Nelson's moxie. That said I can't see him finishing the season. Nelson takes way too many chances and makes risky decissions.

re:Striker

If the Y wins it won't be because of Nelson. The U is better player for player.