Riley Nelson returning to his alma mater

<span>LOGAN – When Riley Nelson begins to submit med school applications in June, it will start a year-long process.</span>

<span>That means the former Logan High, USU and BYU quarterback is planning to begin classes to start his formal medical education in late summer, 2014.</span>

<span>When his high school coach called recently and offered him a chance to coach this season, Riley decided to take him up on it. </span>

<span>“I still have a little brother at Logan High” said Nelson, “and I keep in touch with Coach (Mike Favero) on a regular basis. Obviously I am still interested in the program.</span>

<span>“He had heard from family members that once I turn in my med school applications next month I won’t have much to do other than working. He called and said ‘Why don’t you come back here and help me coach?’ </span>

<span>“I thought about it and it was really something I couldn’t pass up.”</span>

<span>For one year Riley will become the Grizzlies’ offensive coordinator, a role Favero has handled in a very successful run at Logan High. For this season Favero will assume defensive coordinator duties.</span>

<span>“Coach has had great success with the same base system and philosophy,” said Nelson. “Some of the plays are different, and the schemes and concepts. Through my years in college I’ve been exposed to a lot of different passing concepts and route combinations. </span>

<span>“But his philosophy has stayed the same. Maybe with a few simple reminders here and there about how things are called we can make it a pretty seamless transition for me.”</span>

<span>Re-connecting with Logan High brings Nelson back to Cache Valley seven seasons after he quarterbacked the Utah State Aggies the last eight games of his freshman season. That was to have been a redshirt season for him prior to a church mission, but circumstances dictated otherwise.</span>

<span>Utah State’s upset win that year at home over Fresno State in a mid-season game was the highlight of a 1-11 Aggie season. </span>

<span>“Fresno State was my first start at quarterback,” said Riley. “I remember that game and the one before, against Idaho. I went into the Idaho game expecting I was going to redshirt the whole season. I get thrown in at the end of the third quarter and I was able to lead a couple of touchdown drives.”</span>

<span>Late in his mission to Spain he decided to transfer to BYU, eventually getting into some Cougar game action in 2009 and sitting out most of 2010 with an injury, after he started in the first three games of that season.</span>

<span>He was BYU’s #2 quarterback early in 2011 but came off the bench in game four against Utah State to throw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter for a 27-24 win over the Aggies.</span>

<span>“It was not just another game to me. But that’s because I was finally able to get into a game and because of the way we were able to come back and win it. There was no bitterness of any kind just because it was against Utah State. I’ve had a great relationship with Coach (Gary) Andersen and his family. His boys went to Logan High, his son Chasen is now in the program at BYU.”</span>

<span>He admits he’s learned a lot about himself through the up and downs of sports seasons at Logan High, Utah State and BYU.</span>

<span>“Most of all I am grateful I have formed friendships at BYU and Utah State that will last a lifetime. That’s really what I will cherish.”</span>

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