Both Hall, Romney Competing To Be Starting QB Against USU

PROVO, Utah – Now that BYU’s final bye week has passed, the Cougars are locking in their preparations for another rivalry game this Saturday against Utah State.

For the second consecutive game, the question around Provo these days is, who will be the starting quarterback? Is it Jaren Hall or Baylor Romney?

Hall, who started against USF back on October 12th has been cleared from protocol and is available to play this week against the Aggies.

Kalani Sitake on what he’s looking for from Jaren Hall and Baylor Romney in practice: “I think just competition and seeing who gives us the best opportunity to win.” #BYU #KSLsports pic.twitter.com/EbjuWjpmcb

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 28, 2019

According to head coach Kalani Sitake, he and his staff have yet to decide on who will be the starter on Saturday in Logan. This week’s practice will decide who gets the start in the Cache Valley. But what is Sitake looking for this week in practice from his two quarterbacks?

“I think just competition and see who gives us the best opportunity to win. That’s what it comes down to,” said Sitake. “They’ll both get turns with the one’s and two’s and we’ll see who can make their group function better.”

Nobody expected BYU to have to turn to their third-string quarterback at any point to start this season, but having to dig into their depth has shown the Cougars are deep at quarterback.

Both Hall and Romney performed well in their starter debuts. Hall threw for 148 yards and ran for 83 in the loss at USF. Romney threw for 221 yards in the win over Boise State. Neither quarterback threw an interception in their respective starts.

#BYU OC Jeff Grimes said on Coordinators' Corner that the staff hasn't decided on who will start at QB between Jaren Hall or Baylor Romney.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 28, 2019

“Both of them have done positive things and both of them bring positive things to the table and both are good team guys,” said BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes on Coordinators’ Corner.

“We haven’t decided yet (on the starting quarterback). Both of those guys have done some good things at various times and so we will let that decision play itself out and use the practice time to make that decision,” Grimes said.

This decision is a critical one for a BYU team that is looking to get back to an even 4-4 record on the season. Along with looking to end a two-game losing streak to the Aggies.

BYU vs. Utah State

Kick: 8 p.m. (MDT)

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.