As a high school senior, Riley Nelson accounted for 84 touchdowns and more than 4,000 yards passing.

Nelson, who played at Utah State as a true freshman, is serving an LDS mission in Spain. But according to Scout.com, Nelson's family contacted BYU about a transfer and the record-setting quarterback will come to Provo when he returns from his mission in March of 2009.

Also according to Scout.com, BYU has offered a scholarship to Nelson.

At Logan High School, Nelson was a Parade All-American and Mr. Football for the state of Utah. He holds nine state records including career total touchdowns (130), career passing touchdowns (79), season completions (277), season passing yards (4,041), season passing touchdowns (53), season total touchdowns (84), season total yards (5,815), single game completions (38) and single game touchdown passes (seven).

At Utah State, the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder competed in eight games, completing 55 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 290 yards.

Nelson will arrive at BYU in time for spring football in 2009, which will precede current starter Max Hall' s senior season. Nelson will have four years to play three, with a redshirt year available if he so chooses.

• Cougar women's soccer releases schedule: The 2008 BYU women's soccer schedule, released this week by head coach Jennifer Rockwood, will provide strong competition for the talented team.

The defending MWC Champions will face off against many of the top women's soccer programs in the country. Seven of the 20 teams the Cougars will face in 2008 finished the 2007 season in the top-50 RPI, and five played in the NCAA Tournament. BYU also played in the 2007 NCAA Tournament, falling to Texas 2-0 in the first round.

"We are really excited about the level of competition we will face the coming season," Rockwood said. "The team has high expectations and looks foreword to the challenges and opportunities of a great schedule."

BYU opens its road schedule with a game against Big West Conference team Cal Poly on Aug. 22. Last year the Cougars and the Mustangs battled to a 0-0 tie after two overtimes. BYU will then visit 2007 SEC Western Division champion LSU on Aug. 25.

In its home opener, 2007 NCAA tourney participant Georgia comes to Provo on Aug. 29, which will be followed with another home game at South Field against Pac-10 member Arizona on Sept. 1. (See complete schedule, C6.)

The Cougars (17-4-2 in 2007) begin the 2008 MWC race with the traditional rivalry game against Utah in Salt Lake City on Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

"The conference continues to gets stronger and stronger with each year," Rockwood said. "I would expect that this season will be the most competitive to date. We will have to be at our very best each and every game in order to reach our goals"

The MWC women's soccer tournament will be Nov. 5-8 in Las Vegas. The Cougars are the defending champions. The winner of the championship will advance to the NCAA tournament, which begins Nov. 13.

The annual women's soccer 'Blue and White' exhibition game will be held Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

• Four Cougars named Academic All-MPSF: Four members of the BYU men's volleyball team were recognized as 2008 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Men's Volleyball Academic All-Conference selections, the MPSF announced Wednesday. BYU's three setters -- Brian Congelliere, Reed Chilton and Yamil Perez -- and libero Leandro Justen were honored.

The Cougars joined 37 other student-athletes from around the conference who met the specific criteria set forth by the MPSF. Student-athletes who were at least a sophomore academically, were honored for maintaining a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average, having completed at least one full academic year at BYU and participating in 50 percent or more of the team's matches.

As a senior, Congelliere led the Cougars with 633 assists (9.74 apg). He played in 22 matches and 65 games. Congelliere set career highs at UC Irvine, recording 69 assists and 11 digs in his first career double-double.

Chilton, a sophomore civil engineering major, returned to compete in 2008 after suffering a knee injury the previous year. He played in 24 of the team's 30 matches (64 games). He was second on the team with 599 assists and was also second among setters with 24 blocks.

In his first year at BYU, Justen, a junior majoring in broadcast journalism, saw action in 28 of the team's 30 matches. He started at libero in the first two matches of the season, and recorded a season-high 13 digs at UC San Diego.

A two-time MPSF All-Academic honoree, Perez saw limited action throughout the season due to two ankle sprains, and was used primarily as a server during his rehabs. He started four of the last five matches of the season, and recording a season-high 49 assists in the MPSF Championship match against Pepperdine.