SF Chronicle: Longshore unlikely to play in bowl

Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer

Quarterback Nate Longshore is back at practice but it's unlikely he'll play in the Las Vegas Bowl against BYU on Dec. 22. "Right now, it's doubtful," coach Jeff Tedford said. "His ankle is not ready."   Longshore started in the season-opening win against Sacramento State but incurred a severe ankle injury late in the first half. He hasn't played since then.  "I'm just getting back healthy," Longshore said, after staying after Monday's practice to throw some balls to wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins.   Longshore took a redshirt last year as a true freshman and is not eligible for another. He couldn't say whether he would petition the NCAA for an extra year after he's used up all of his eligibility. He also wouldn't say what he might do about the mission he owes his church. "I'm not really trying to plan that far ahead," he said.  Longshore said he's spent most of the season on the sideline, "just being a fan."  Although Longshore is unlikely to play, he has been taking part in some gamesmanship with his older brother, Nick Longshore, an offensive lineman at BYU.  "We always mess around," he said.

The older Longshore will not play, either. He is taking a medical redshirt year after having surgery on both shoulders.  Tedford already has said Steve Levy will start at quarterback in the bowl game.  Joe Ayoob also is getting reps in practice and Tedford said he would be ready to play -- although the coach is not going into the game with any plan other than using Levy.  "We'll see how it goes," Tedford said.  

Sin City: Cal's players met with athletic-department compliance officials Monday, regarding the trip to Las Vegas -- going over that city's temptations.  "There are so many lively things going on there," Tedford said. "We've talked quite a lot about keeping our focus."  Tedford noted that many players on the team were over 21 and might want to do a bit of gaming in their down time. "It's legal to gamble," he said. "We definitely have to make sure they're doing the right thing."  The Bears will fly Sunday and have three days in Las Vegas before the game. "They're not going to have a whole lot of time anyway," Tedford said.  

Bowl practice: Much of the early practice sessions for the bowl game have focused on giving younger players more practice time, with the team not beginning earnest preparations until late last week.  Tedford said a number of freshmen have stood out, including offensive lineman Kevin Bemoll, tight end Cameron Morrah, wide receiver Syd'Quan Thompson and defensive backs Robert Peele, Jesse Brooks and Marcus Ezeff. Tedford also took special note of QB Kyle Reed.

O'Callaghan honored: Tackle Ryan O'Callaghan has been awarded the 2005 Morris Trophy, given to the Pac-10's top offensive lineman.  Oregon tackle Haloti Ngata was named the conference's top defensive lineman.