BYU QB Nelson tries to get healthy for Poinsettia Bowl

Brigham Young football coach Bronco Mendenhall knows who he wants to start at quarterback in the Poinsettia Bowl. But if senior Riley Nelson isn't healthy for the Dec. 20 game, Mendenhall also knows he has a capable backup in senior James Lark.

Making his first start since he signed with the Cougars in 2006, Lark completed 34 of 50 passes for 384 yards and six touchdowns in a 50-14 victory over New Mexico State on Saturday in BYU's regular-season finale.

"It was a dream come true," Lark said. "It was worth the wait."

Nelson didn't play in the game because of sore ribs. He made nine starts this season despite back and rib injuries and went 4-5, losing four games by 13 points total.

Now, if healthy, he will be under center when BYU (7-5) meets former Mountain West Conference rival San Diego State (9-3) at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

The Cougars will resume practice Dec. 10. The bowl game is the program's 31st and the eighth straight under Mendenhall, who has led BYU to a win in five.

■ RECORD-SETTER - Freshman running back Jamaal Williams needs one more touchdown to become BYU's all-time scoring leader for a true freshman.

Williams, who turns 18 in April, is tied with Ronney Jenkins with 11 touchdowns. He passed Jenkins on Saturday to become the program's leading rusher for a true freshman with 744 yards.

Williams has carried the ball 151 times and caught 25 passes without a fumble.

"I take real pride in holding onto the ball and knowing that I can secure it every time I get it," he said.

Getting comfortable with the religious aspect of BYU has been an eye opener for Williams, who is not Mormon but doesn't hesitate to defend his choice.

"Don't think that if it's out of the ordinary, it's going to be bad," he said. "I'm not used to it, but I like it here because of the fan base and the football. ... You can't always stay in your bubble. You have to come out of it to experience the world."

■ MOVING UP - After catching a school single-game record five touchdowns at New Mexico State, junior receiver Cody Hoffman is two TD receptions from tying Austin Collie's school career record of 29.

Hoffman is fourth in BYU history in career receptions (193) and sixth in receiving yards (2,604).

■ LEAVING EARLY? - Linebacker Kyle Van Noy said he will talk with his parents after the season before deciding whether to enter April's NFL Draft.

The junior from Reno leads the Cougars with 11½ sacks and 18½ tackles for loss. He also has an interception, five forced fumbles and one blocked punt.

■ TOURNAMENT TIME - The 12th-ranked women's volleyball team will host New Mexico State tonight in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner will face Arizona State or Oklahoma on Saturday in Provo, Utah.

The Cougars finished the regular season 26-3 and went 12-0 at home.

Dave McCann is a news anchor for KSL television in Salt Lake City and the play-by-play voice for BYU sports on BYUtv. He also is the host of True Blue, which airs Mondays at 5:30 p.m. on BYUtv. He can be reached at dmccann@ksl.com or on Twitter @DaveMcCannKSL.