By Jay Heater
BERKELEY - Cal coach Jeff Tedford, the guy who doesn't like alternating quarterbacks, has decided to do just that in the 108th Big Game on Saturday at Stanford Stadium. Tedford ended speculation about his starting quarterback on Thursday by announcing in a release that junior Steve Levy, who has never started a game, will get the job against the Cardinal. However, Tedford said that both Levy and junior Joe Ayoob would play. "Steve most likely will start depending on how things go over the next couple of days," Tedford said after practice Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. "But both will play whether Steve does well or not." Tedford said he made his decision public Thursday because it would have been obvious by watching practice that Levy was taking snaps with the first string. "I wanted to put it to rest," he said. He said one reason Levy is starting is that Tedford wants Ayoob to watch Stanford's defense from the sideline before he gets into the game.
Cal senior center Marvin Philip said he has confidence in both. "Our job description doesn't change," he said of the switch to Levy as the starter. "We go full out every time." Philip said he was happy to see Levy, the Cornwall, N.Y. native who came to Cal as a quarterback, switched to fullback and then back to quarterback, get an opportunity. "It's great anytime to see a player who has switched positions get a chance," Philip said. "I'm happy for the guy." Although Levy is bound to be nervous early, Philip expects him to break into a rhythm quickly. "He is one of the funniest guys on the team," Philip said. "He is always making some kind of joke or comment. He keeps things light." Bears senior rover Donnie McCleskey said Cal's defensive unit isn't worried about a quarterback switch. "It's an executive decision," McCleskey said. "This entire team believes in Coach Tedford." Levy has thrown just 11 passes this season, completing six for 86 yards. He threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Noah Smith in Cal's opener against Sacramento State. Ayoob has completed 49.2 percent of his passes for 1,707 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has thrown 14 interceptions. Neither was available to the media after Thursday night's practice. In a news release, Levy said, "It's an honor to be able to start in the Big Game, where so many legends have played. I'm excited about the opportunity. Hopefully, I can make something happen."
Ayoob also was quoted on the release. "Of course I would like to start, but I respect Coach Tedford's decision and what he thinks is best for the team." Levy might not be the only Cal player making the first start of his career in the Big Game. Left offensive guard Erik Robertson is questionable with a sprained ankle, so freshman Noris Malele could start. Bears' left tackle Scott Smith also is questionable with a sprained knee, so senior Jonathan Murphy might step into a starting role at that position. It would be the second start of Murphy's career.
Notes: Cal sophomore defensive tackle Matt Malele tore the ACL in his knee against USC last Saturday and is out for the rest of the season. ... Trent Edwards was officially named Stanford's starting quarterback by coach Walt Harris, although that was pretty much a given. Edwards (bruised left thumb) has practiced with the first team all week and started taking snaps Wednesday. Harris also implied, without going into detail, that fullback Nick Frank and receiver Justin McCullum would start. Neither finished the game last Saturday at Oregon State because of shoulder injuries.
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