BYU's on-again, off-again quarterback controversy is once again on hiatus.
LaVell Edwards said junior Kevin Feterik, who has started all seven games this season, will not split duties with backup Drew Miller this Saturday when the Cougars play host to San Jose State. The quarterbacks had shared time for two games before Miller reaggravated a shoulder separation against UNLV on Oct. 10. The sophomore did not return for the second half, nor did he play in last Saturday's 31-9 victory at Hawaii. Though sore, Miller was dressed and ready to play against the Rainbow Warriors - if needed. He wasn't.Meanwhile, Feterik has completed 37 of 54 passes for 531 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions since Miller's injury. His pass efficiency rose to second in the WAC at 134.89 as BYU won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
"Kevin's had a couple of very good weeks now," Edwards said. "I feel good about the way things are going and the way he's doing. I think we're pretty set with Kevin."
Miller, however, isn't completely out of the picture. Though no formal rotation system is planned, Edwards indicated BYU could resume a two-quarterback approach whenever necessary.
"I haven't given up on Drew," said Edwards. "We'll have to wait and see how the game goes. Still, like I've said all along, I have confidence in the both of them."
Edwards credits an improvement in BYU's passing game to a couple of factors - better pass protection and the emergence of receivers Margin Hooks, Ben Horton and Mike Rigell.
NATIONAL ATTENTION: The Cougars rank in the top 10 nationally in four categories. Rigell is fourth in kickoff returns with an average of 32.7 yards; Jason Walker is fifth in interceptions with a 0.71 per game average; and BYU's defensive unit is eighth against the rush (89.1 yards per game) and ninth in total defense (268.9 ypg).
FOR YOU, KID: It was a week of firsts for cornerback Doug Henstrom. On Wednesday, just hours before BYU left for Hawaii, he and wife Nicky welcomed their first child - Hirsche Douglas Henstrom (7 pounds, 10 ounces) - into the world. Three days later at Aloha Stadium, the proud papa made his first start in place of Brian Gray, whose mobility was hampered by a sore ankle.
BOWLED OVER: Thanks to Utah's win over Fresno State, BYU regained control of its own destiny. If the Cougars win their final five games, they'll earn a spot in the WAC Championship Game Dec. 5 in Las Vegas. Beyond that, however, things are up in the air.
The WAC champion has no guarantee of a bowl appearance this year. In fact, the soon-to-be-divided 16-team league has only two agreements for postseason play - the Las Vegas Bowl and the Aloha Christmas Football Classic in Hawaii. Though both games have to feature WAC teams, neither is obligated to the conference champion.
Also, the Independence Bowl - which the WAC was aggressively pursuing for this year as well as for the future - has opted to sign multi-year contracts to select the Big 12's No. 6 team and the SEC's No. 7 team.
The Holiday Bowl, which officially severed its ties with the WAC earlier but is reportedly interested in aligning with the breakaway eight, is still a possibility.
BACK TO THE FUTURE: BYU athletic director Rondo Fehlberg met with Hawaii officials at Aloha Stadium Saturday to discuss the possibility of resuming a football series down the road. Nothing is imminent, however.