Times Herald Record: Cornwall's Levy keeps head up after Holiday bash

Cal QB changed play to boost senior Loading...  Cornwall resident Steve Levy, left, got limited playing time at quarterback this season for Cal.

By Sal Interdonato

Talk about ending a college football career with a bang. Not only did Steve Levy lead his team on two touchdown drives in a bowl game, but he also got chewed out by his coach on national television. So what if Levy didn't start at quarterback for Cal this season. He helped wrap up a 45-10 rout of Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl on Thursday.  "It's been a frustrating year, watching from the sidelines," said Levy, a Cornwall resident who won two games as Cal's starter last season, including the Las Vegas Bowl. "I stayed optimistic and prepared myself every week, so when I went in I wouldn't embarrass myself."  And Levy, at least, got some national exposure on the way out.  With the ESPN camera zeroed in on coach Jeff Tedford, he grabbed Levy by his facemask and gave him a tongue-lashing after Cal's final touchdown with one minute left on Thursday.

With Cal way ahead, Levy was told to take a knee and run out the clock. But Levy, with some persuasion from tight end Eric Beegun and his offensive line, changed the play, calling for a run to little-used freshman back Bryan Schutte on third-and-goal from the 3. Schutte took it in for the touchdown, much to Tedford's annoyance.  Tedford yelled at Levy, "you know that we are a program that doesn't run up the score," after the play. The coach told Levy that, "he's a leader and should know better." "Coach," Levy said he told Tedford, "I was being a leader." He insisted that he wasn't trying to run up the score. "Schutte had never scored a touchdown in college, nonetheless in a bowl," Levy said. "The line blocked its (butt) off. He's a special kid." Tedford called it a "miscommunication" after the game. Levy didn't throw a pass in the bowl game. He completed 7-of-10 passes for 66 yards against Portland State in his only other action this season. Levy isn't ready to give up football. "I still have that fire left," Levy said. "I'm 300 percent better than I was last year. My arm feels like it's 17 years old again." Levy might look at the Arena Football League or Canadian Football League. If that doesn't work out, Levy will still have a degree from one of the best schools in the country.  "It's been a great ride," Levy said. "I don't regret anything."