PROVO -- Following player evaluations and meeting with the offensive coaching staff, BYU Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall today announced junior John Beck will enter summer workouts as the starting quarterback.
"In a highly contested battle through Spring Camp, John emerged as the most consistent performer throughout the spring evaluation period," Mendenhall said. "For our offense to continue to progress through the summer, I thought it was important to list a starting quarterback for the upcoming workout period. Having said that, I expect the competition for the starting quarterback position will continue through the summer and into Fall Camp."
In the final two scrimmages of the spring season, Beck completed 30-of-44 attempts (.682) for 301 yards. During the Blue-White game, Beck started the game by completing six straight passes for 62 yards to set up a 22-yard field goal. All totaled, Beck finished the final scrimmage with 15 completions on 24 attempts (.625) for a team high 116 yards.
"John's composure, leadership, experience and ability to move the offense in the most consistent manner were the things that gave him the slight edge," Mendenhall said. "At the end of the spring evaluation period, this is where it stands. It's John's position to lose at this point."
Mendenhall said he will not treat the quarterback spot differently than any other assignment on the team.
"The position, as any other on the team, will continue to be competition-based," he said. "I don't expect Matt Berry or Jason Beck to back off one bit. I expect them to feel that they are capable of earning the starting job, and that they will have an opportunity to battle and take the job with their performance."
Mendenhall added senior quarterback Matt Berry and junior Jason Beck were impressive during Spring Camp, and are both still in the running for the starting job.
"Matt's passing accuracy and commitment to become the starting quarterback has been very impressive," Mendenhall said. "I would expect that to continue. Jason's ability to create, along with his poise under pressure, continues to make him a strong candidate.
"The competition is not over; however, at the conclusion of Spring Camp, this is where it stands. It is now John Beck's job to lose."
Beck, who totaled a team-high 2,563 yards passing last season, earned Mountain West Conference second-team honors as a sophomore with a 233.0 yards-per-game average. The native of Mesa, Ariz., led the league, averaging 261.0 yards passing per game against league opponents, including a league season high 358 yards against UNLV. He totaled three league games with over 300 yards passing, including 319 yards against Air Force, 358 yards against the Rebels and 313 yards in the Cougars' 49-16 win over San Diego State.
Beck earned Mountain West Conference Offensive Player-of-the-Week honors on October 25 after leading the Cougars to a 41-24 win over Air Force. Trailing 10-3 after the half, Beck led BYU on a 38-point second-half scoring spree, posting 28-unanswered points. He was credited with a career-high four touchdown completions. The game also marked Beck's third 300-yard game of the season, helping the Cougars to record their first back-to-back victory since the 2002 season.
Last season Beck became the BYU and MWC record holder with 67 pass attempts in a single game. He totaled a MWC record 34 completions on 67 attempts in the Cougars disappointing loss to UNLV on October 8.
With 3,427 career yards, Beck became the third most prolific sophomore quarterback in school history. During the season he hooked up with BYU receivers on 15 touchdown receptions, including seven of 40 yards or longer. Beck threw four long-distance touchdown completions to All-America receiver Todd Watkins during the season, including a 69-yard lob against top-ranked USC, a 79-yard bomb against nationally ranked Boise State, a 70-yard toss against Air Force and a 68-yard strike against San Diego State. Beck also hooked up with MWC Freshman of the Year Austin Collie on two long-distance touchdown completions, including a 57-yard pass against Boise State and a career-long 82-yard toss against San Diego State.
STARTERS ENTERING SUMMER WORKOUTS
Defense:
LEJustin Maddux
RET.J. Sitake
LBAaron Wagner
MBCameron Jensen
RBRichard Nehring
LCNate Soelberg
LKSpencer White
CGDustin Gabriel
RKQuinn Gooch
LCKayle Buchanan
Offense:
LTEddie Keele
LGBrian Sanders
CLance Reynolds
RGTravis Bright
RTJake Kuresa
YRJonny Harline/Daniel Coats
HRBryce Mahuika/Nate Meikle
ZRMatt Allen/Joe Griffin
XRTodd Watkins
QBJohn Beck
RBCurtis Brown/Fahu Tahi
JOHN BECK CAREER STATISTICS
Yr. Gms Att-Cmp-Int Pct. Yds TD LG
2003 8 145-73-5 50.3 864 5 56
2004 11 343-192-8 56.9 2,563 15 82
TOTAL 19 488-265-13 54.3 3,427 20 82
Career Highs
Att: 67 (vs. UNLV; Oct. 8, 2004)
Cmp: 34 (vs. UNLV; Oct. 8, 2004)
Int: 3 (vs. No. 1 USC; Sept. 18, 2004)
Yds: 390 (at Boise State; Sept. 24, 2004)
TD: 4 (at Air Force; Oct. 23, 2004)
Lg: 82 (vs. San Diego State; Nov. 6, 2004)