This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Arecent coincidental early morning encounter at an on-campus eatery, one adjacent to a hall with displays and trophies celebrating Brigham Young's football heritage, turned into an impromptu quarterback summit between Robbie Bosco and John Beck.
When Bosco spotted Beck, he invited him to his table where, over grits and toast, the former national champion simply could not hold back. Bite by bite, he snugly passed along to the current BYU starter tidbits of wisdom, quarterback to quarterback, regarding the common position/predicament/privilege they have shared.
Beck, a Cougar football historian who is fully aware of Bosco's accomplishments, soaked in what the old guy had to say and likely was better off for having done so. Bosco thrived in the very circumstances - big, close games - that have vexed Beck, and jeopardized his legacy at BYU. The senior is 13-16 as a starter and 1-9 in games decided by seven points or fewer.
Though Beck recently passed Bosco on the school's all-time total offensive yards list and is edging closer to him in career passing
yards, only one of the two has won conference and national titles. With the Cougars facing their steepest challenge of the season on Thursday, against defending Mountain West Conference champion Texas Christian, and with Beck still searching for a signature win, it was a good time for him to give heed to what the quarterback with those rings had to offer.
Here, in Bosco's words, is some of what was banging around inside his brain that morning . . .
"We talked about what it's like to be the quarterback at BYU. The expectations that are there, the expectations we put on ourselves to perform. It goes from being able to make plays, to having the other players, the coaches, everyone involved, have confidence in you, to just being the guy, leading the team to victory.
"It comes down to being a part of that elect group of quarterbacks who have played at BYU, doing what needs to be done. It's about winning, winning championships. That's what being the quarterback at BYU is all about. It's not just being a pocket passer, it's knowing when to dump a ball off, when to scramble, when to run, when to take chances, when to hesitate before you throw. It's finding the intuitiveness to do all of those things. That stuff can't be coached. A quarterback just has to have the feel to do it.
"There's a fine line between being average and being great.
"I told John, 'You're a good player who can be great. You have the tools. You just have to go out and do it. And not worry so much.'
"When you're the quarterback at BYU, people criticize the bad things and take the good things for granted. That's the beauty of it. Everyone is looking at you. If you are a competitor at all, you take that and run with it. We're talking about being great here. That's defined by winning games when it's tough, with someone breathing down your neck, spitting blood in your face. You go home after that, look yourself in the mirror and you know that you did it. It's incredible. There's no greater feeling in college football than playing quarterback at BYU. It's like being running back at USC or linebacker at Penn State. It's living up to the greats before you. That's a challenge that keeps you going, keeps you improving. I never felt like I was done, like I had done it all.
"There are so many little things to take care of. It has nothing to do with stats, with yardage or touchdown passes. It has to do with making the right checks, building morale, patting the O-linemen on the butt, being around the players, knowing they have confidence in you and will play for you.
"As quarterback, you're in charge of everybody. You are the guy everyone looks to. The play starts when you start it. Depending on how you act, how you react, they key off of that. If you're making plays, keeping drives alive, moving the chains, there won't be anyone on that team who won't go to war with you. If you have that, you'll win a lot of football games.
"We talked about making plays at all costs. Using your legs, using your arm, using your head, whatever it takes. That's what the legacy of playing quarterback at BYU is, separating yourself from just being good to being great. It's being part of something special, an elite group of guys."
Bosco later said passing along his sentiments had nothing to do with him being a former BYU coach. He didn't want to interfere or step on anyone's toes. But, as a former Cougar player, as a part of that "elite group of guys," Bosco had to have his say.
And, so, he did.
"It was just quarterback to quarterback," he said. "And I think John listened."