Beck served a Mormon mission prior to his collegiate career, and in 2003, as a 22-year-old true freshman, he earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference (MWC) honors and competed in eight games, including four starts, becoming only the second true freshman to start at quarterback in Brigham Young history (vs.
While a sophomore, in 2004, Beck earned second-team All-Mountain West honors and started at quarterback in 10 of the Cougars' 11 games during the season.