Ayoob finds his calling as holder
Rusty Simmons, Chronicle Staff Writer
If Thursday's Holiday Bowl is as close as many are projecting, Cal's hopes very well might be in the hands of backup quarterback Joe Ayoob. That's not a prediction that starter Nate Longshore will be ineffective or injured. Rather, it's a reminder that as the holder in the kicking game and as a member of the "hands" team, Ayoob is in two positions to directly affect the outcome of tight games. "That'd be an OK way to go out," the senior said. "I always like to have the ball in my hands."
Ayoob lost the starting quarterback job last season and couldn't regain the spot in training camp this year, but he has emerged as one of the nation's most reliable holders. Coach Jeff Tedford used "smooth," "automatic" and "great" to describe Ayoob before settling on: "There's no question that he takes some pride in holding. It's something that gets overlooked, but it takes a lot of practice and a lot of skill. He has both." Holders usually gain notice only when something goes awry, but the technique is almost an art form. Well before the ball is even in play, the holder is responsible for setting the mark, finding a path of clear vision for the kicker and getting him lined up. Then, with opponents bearing down on him, the holder has to cleanly catch a speeding football, get the tip down and spin it properly to get the laces away from the kicker.
"It's hard to put into words, because a lot of it is just about feel," Ayoob said. "You've got to have a feel for where the laces are and make sure you spin it inside or outside so they don't end up facing the kicker." After connecting on 18 of 36 field-goal attempts his first two seasons, kicker Tom Schneider has made 14 of 18 this year. He has missed only one inside of 50 yards. "A lot that has to do with (long-snapper) Nick Sundberg and Joe," Schneider said. "Joe's hands are unbelievable." For Ayoob, that part of the holder resume comes naturally. When Tedford told a story of former Cal quarterback Kyle Boller, who could catch the ball, put it down and spin it while using only one hand, Ayoob tried to match the feat. "I did it, too," Ayoob said. "After that, I tried to get coach to let me run a streak (route) or something, but I don't have the speed to play receiver." The episode did, however, earn Ayoob a spot on the hands team, which takes the field in an effort to recover onside kicks. On three onside attempts this season, opponents have kicked two away from Ayoob's side, and before the other got to him, Justin Moye caught it. "I guess teams know better than to kick my way," Ayoob joked. Ayoob is left looking for other ways to get involved in games. "I've been waiting for a bad snap, so I'll get a chance to run or make something happen," he joked. "I'm always pressing coach to run a fake field goal. We've never run one, so I doubt we ever will." The smile doesn't leave Ayoob's face as he answers questions about his other role as a backup quarterback. "Obviously, every player wants to play, but we've got Nate," Ayoob said. "He's doing an excellent job, and I'm just trying to do my job as his backup. I'm trying to push him to be better and trying to always stay ready in case something happens."
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