Oakland Tribune: It's Levy ... unless it's Ayoob

Tedford adds to confusion over who will be Cal's starting QB

By Dave Newhouse, STAFF WRITER 

BERKELEY — Cal's quarterback situation becomes more confusing literally by the hour.  At 3 p.m. Thursday, Cal coach Jeff Tedford announced Steve Levy would start over Joe Ayoob in Saturday's Big Game at Stanford.  Cal put out a press release, quoting Tedford thusly: "Steve has a high energy level and is excited about his first career start."  But by 6 p.m., Tedford already was second-guessing himself.  "Steve will most likely start," Tedford said after practice."  Most likely?

"Both are going to play in the game," the head coach said. "We'll see. We're still in the evaluation process."  Evaluation process? This is Cal's 11th game. How much more evaluating is needed?  "They're both going to play, no matter if Steve does good or bad," Tedford said. "I'm just going to let Joe take a look at it, and get a different perspective."Ayoob, a junior, has started 10 games after replacing Nate Longshore (broken leg) in the Sacramento State opener. Ayoob's passing numbers: 125 of 254 for 1,707 yards and 15 touchdowns, with 14 interceptions. He also has five rushing touchdowns.  Levy, a junior, has played in four games. His numbers: 6 of 11 for 86 yards and one touchdown and one interception.

Cal (6-4, 3-4 Pac-10) needs a win over Stanford (5-4, 4-3) to improve its bowl chances. Stanford is looking to become bowl-eligible, so this game carries importance for both rivals.  For the first time in three-plus years as Cal coach, Tedford restricted the media Thursday from speaking to his players — in this case, Levy and Ayoob. Thus their statements on the press release also became confusing, and possibly weightless, three hours later.  "It's an honor to start in the Big Game, where so many legends have played," Levy was quoted. "I'm excited about the opportunity that has been given to me. Hopefully, I can make something happen."  "Of course, I would like to start," Ayoob was quoted, "but I respect coach Tedford's position and what he thinks is best for the team. I'm ready to be out there on the sideline to support Steve during the game and be ready if my number is called."  Ayoob has passed with less confidence the last two weeks against Oregon and USC, throwing seven of his 14 interceptions. Maybe Tedford believes that by not starting him, if this is the case, then that would lessen the pressure on him.

It's worth a gamble, even though Tedford is going against his own philosophy: He doesn't believe in a two-quarterback system. But these are desperate times for Cal, which has lost four of its past five games.  And there's nothing wrong in Tedford keeping Stanford in a guessing mode as to which one will play and when. Levy could become a Big Game quarterback hero for Cal in the mold of J Torchio and Kevin Brown.  "You know us," Cal center Marvin Philip said. "It doesn't matter who's in there. We feel that either (Levy or Ayoob) can do the job. I feel comfortable (snapping the ball) with both.  "But any time you get a player like Steve who switches positions (between quarterback and fullback), you're happy that he has an opportunity to play. We'll go 100 percent with either."  What kind of person is the 6-1, 215-pound Levy?  "He's a funny guy," Philip said, "one of the funniest guys on the team. He likes to make jokes, loosen things up a little bit.

"I'm sure he'll be nervous (Saturday), but he'll calm right down. He's been wanting to take the field. He told us last Saturday (against USC) to believe in him, and that's what we got to do ... believe in whoever's in there."

BEAR TRACKS: Cal's offensive line is banged up, which could impact Levy's or Ayoob's performance. But tackle Scott Smith (knee) and guard Erik Robertson (ankle) practiced lightly Thursday, and Tedford said it will be a game-time decision on their playing. Same thing with the defensive line, because starters Tosh Lupoi (broken foot) and Matthew Malele (knee) appear to be lost for the season. Tedford also announced that freshman linebacker Zack Follett has been suspended for the first quarter Saturday because of an unsportsmanlike penalty vs. USC.