Gritty QB Nelson Eager to Lead Independent BYU

PROVO, Utah (AP) - The one-time quarterback of the future is now in Kansas, replaced by a free-spirited Utah native living the Life of Riley on a Brigham Young campus known for its stone-cold-sober image and pressed khakis.

While Riley Nelson may be a breath of fresh air at BYU, he is intent on playing to the standards of previous senior quarterbacks for the Cougars.

The last three were a combined 33-6 in their final seasons, and nothing less is expected of the 6-foot, 203-pound Riley, who added 11 pounds of muscle to withstand an independent schedule built around six key games - Pac-12 foes Washington State, Utah and Oregon State, plus No. 24 Boise State, Georgia Tech, and for the first time since 2005, Notre Dame.

Offensive coordinator Brandon Doman says, "he's our leader and he knows it."