The Riley Factor

Imagine Mission Impossible theme in background as we picture our Ethan Hunt of the football team - Riley Nelson.



He really did help us rescue a season on the brink and did so with many a doubting Thomas (skeptics). I feel that he has a similar style to Jim McMahon in the way he bonds with his OL - JM started the head butt and chest bumps with the OL after good plays and TDs and the team would play their hearts out for him because they always thought there was a chance to win with him at the helm. I see Riley in a similar situation, the team knows he is iron nails tough, and will never go down without swinging. His swagger translates to team confidence on both sides of the ball. His mission, if he decides to accept it, is to do what seems impossible, take us to a BCS game. Let the show begin.



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Ahem - today we saw BYU's full Nelson. Inconsistent/sporadic but deadly when it matters. Note: part of the problem is that the O was not as well prepared for TU sending 5 guys to blitz - they didn't show this tendency all season - and the O line was confused many times which allowed the D to put pressure on Riley and caused him to under and overthrow passes.



Momentum changer was TD pass which occurred when Reynolds pancaked TU player with his helmet off.

The USU game showed us he is not a fluke under pressure and that he operates well in last minute tight games - he understands clock management and is intelligent.



It was his call for the fake spike - called Red Alert - and he said it was high payoff - low risk. He could throw it away if well covered and still have 2 plays within 12 seconds.



He also gives hats off to those who put him in the situation - Falsleve punt return, special teams 7 punts inside 20, strong D to hold TU to 37 yards rushing, KVN making plays all over the field, and Big Game Hoffman (similar stats as last year's NM bowl - 8 catches, 3 TDs). Riley felt he could not let the team down morale wise unless he capitalized on their good plays.





Riley is the man and will get better next year without the distractions of this year and with the backing of the team - he is the established leader and will ensure the team works hard during the offseason.

We saw a rusty Riley Nelson who took awhile to get going after a long break. He's played complete games this season and is 6-1, I'll take it.

One of two things needs to happen in the off-season - the O-line needs to learn to protect the QB better, or Riley needs to learn to make better decisions under pressure. It's his kryptonite, moreso than most QBs.



Having said that, you've got to give props to Nelson - this was a nightmare scenario game for him. Constantly under pressure, no run game to support him, his own running was a non-factor - and he still found a way to throw 3 TDs and pull out a win. Still, I imagine that every somewhat-competent defense Riley faces next year to give him similar treatment. The onus is on him and the O-line to improve.

Because of Riley we won? Maybe. But because of Riley we nearly lost. Can we get away with that against GA Tech, Notre Dame, the Pukes, or even a down BSU?

Again, as DCR36 pointed out - Riley needs support - stoudt protection from OL and an established running game. He had neither for most the game and was forced to hurry his throws and try and make things happen. However, when it counted, he scrambled for critical yardage, received protection, and the RBs came through. His will to win inspired the team to capitalize on opportunities. If Heaps were in the same position, he would have folded like a wet blanket.

cougman wrote:
Because of Riley we won? Maybe. But because of Riley we nearly lost. Can we get away with that against GA Tech, Notre Dame, the Pukes, or even a down BSU?

in the middle of the season where Riley is playing games on a weekly basis and so he'll give us four good quarters. I'd say yes, yes we can.

In case there is any doubt about how Riley's teammates feel about his capability to pull games out, here are some player's quotes as noted by Jay Drew in the SLTrib:



“There was no doubt in our minds that Riley was going to find a way to win the game for us,” said offensive lineman Matt Reynolds, who set up the Cougars’ first touchdown with a block after his helmet had fallen off to free Nelson just before halftime. “No doubt at all.”



“He pulled another one out,” said offensive lineman Terence Brown. “I’m not exactly sure how he did it, but he pulled another one out.”



“We have a strong reputation of, when games are close, to find a way to win,” Mendenhall said.



Enough said, when the team has confidence in its leader, good things can happen - including miracle finishes.