JASON BECK MAY START FOR BYU AS QB REGULAR COULD BE SIDELINED BY ANKLE INJURY.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY Special to the Daily News

VALENCIA -- There is a possibility former College of the Canyons standout Jason Beck could make his first collegiate start at quarterback this weekend for Brigham Young, provided senior John Beck remains sidelined by an injured right ankle.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said Tuesday that Jason Beck, no relation to John Beck, has been preparing for Saturday's nonconference game against Utah State by playing with the first team during practice earlier this week.

``He's a savvy player, that's why he moved onto the next level,''

Canyons coach Chuck Lyon said of Jason Beck, who played for the Cougars in 2003. ``He's always had a high football IQ. He understands the game.

``We know BYU is really happy with him. I'm glad to see he's going to get a chance to play.''

John Beck is listed as questionable for Saturday's game after suffering the injury last week in a 23-20 double overtime loss to Boston College. He threw for 436 yards, completing 38 of 59 passes with a touchdown and two interceptions against the Eagles and was selected as the Mountain West Conference offensive player of the week for his efforts.

However, John Beck has experienced ankle problems since the season opener and said the injury was especially sore after Saturday's game.

An MRI on Sunday revealed Beck has a high-ankle sprain, according to BYU head trainer Kevin Morris.

Jason Beck, normally the Cougars field goal holder, has played sparingly for BYU since joining the program in 2004. He did see action in his junior year with BYU, completing 23 of 46 passes for 232 yards against Stanford, but an arm injury forced him to redshirt in 2005.

He proved to be a leader for Canyons as a sophomore, completing more than 70 percent of his passes for 1,681 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 366 yards and six touchdowns, guiding the Cougars to a victory over Palomar in the Western State Conference Bowl.

``Thing I liked the best about Jason was that he sold out on every play,'' Lyon said. ``It didn't take long for him to come in here and become out quarterback. He was an overachiever. We have a lot of good memories about that kid while he was here.''

-- The football team opened the season with back-to-back losses for the first time in the history of the program but bounced back nicely last week, defeating Ventura, 54-0, in a Western State Conference game at home.

Things don't figure to be as easy for the Cougars (1-2, 1-0) this week against host Moorpark (3-0, 1-0), ranked No.11 by the J.C.

Grid-Wire, on Saturday in a WSC game.

``Moorpark is for real,'' Lyon said. ``This is a big challenge for us.

We're going to find out what kind of football team we are in this game.''

--Are you ready for some futbol? Just because the football team is on the road doesn't mean Cougar Stadium will be empty this weekend. In fact, there's plenty going on with both the men's and women's soccer teams in action at home.

The men's team is hoping to turn things around and end a three-game losing streak Friday when San Diego Mesa come to the Santa Clarita Valley for a nonconference game at 2 p.m. The Cougars (2-4-1) have been outscored 9-0 in the past three matches.

The women's team (3-3,) on the other hand, will host San Diego Mesa at 4 p.m. on Friday and then plays against visiting Taft on Saturday, also at 4 p.m.