The California team Minnesota plays in Berkeley on Saturday has a quarterback controversy. After playing two quarterbacks against Tennessee last Saturday there was speculation as to who will start against the Gophers, but coach Jeff Tedford ended that talk yesterday when he told the San Jose Mercury News Nate Longshore will start.
Longshore, a sophomore, was the starter in Cal’s 35-18 loss to Tennessee and before the season began he was mentioned as one of three or four players who might lead the Bears. Longshore had a statistically poor day against the Volunteers throwing 20 times for only 85 yards and was relieved by senior Joseph Ayoob who threw 22 times for 187 yards including a touchdown pass, and he also ran for a touchdown.
Former Viking quarterback Joe Kapp was Cal’s head coach from 1982-1986. He lives near San Jose and follows the Bears. He said the quarterback position is “well manned.” Kapp also said the 6-5, 230-pound Longshore’s performance against the Volunteers should be judged with perspective because he had passes dropped by receivers and the vaunted Cal running attack (includes Heisman candidate Marshawn Lynch) faltered.
Kapp guessed earlier in the week that Longshore will start against the Gophers. Longshore missed almost all of last season after being injured in the opening game. “The quarterback Longshore is very talented, big (and) strong,” Kapp said. ‘Whenever he stays healthy he competes.”
Before the season started ESPN’s Lee Corso predicted Cal will win the national championship, and despite the surprising one-sided loss to Tennessee, Kapp said the Bears are a “very good football team.” Told of the national championship prediction, Kapp expressed surprise but acknowledged there has been a buzz about Cal football this summer. “Expectations were very high not only from the press but from the fans, the alumni (and) the team itself,” Kapp said. “You don’t accomplish good things unless you do have great expectations.”