SALT LAKE CITY — Riley Nelson played for two college teams, in two conferences, and later as an independent. He won, lost and won back his starting position several times. One year he platooned as a co-starter.
If not for road losses at Utah and Boise State, by a combined four points, he may have departed BYU a conquering hero. Instead, he was both cheered and vilified by fans of all three FBS programs in the state — including his own. On good days, he was a dual-threat wonder who could make plays when his protection had collapsed and his receivers had run out of space.