By Rusty Simmons
Coach Jeff Tedford said Jahvid Best will not practice this week, but he remains optimistic that the sophomore tailback will return from a dislocated elbow to play Arizona on Oct. 18. Best, who is still wearing an elbow brace, participated in postpractice conditioning drills Tuesday night. Tedford said Best will lift weights later in the week and catch passes Sunday. "I'm optimistic,," Tedford said. "But that, by no means, is a guarantee. I think it's important to see how he responds to things. He's got to get his strength back, be able to protect himself and be able to fall on the ground." Best leads the country in all-purpose yards, averaging 215.5 a game. He's rushed 59 times for 421 yards and four touchdowns, caught 14 passes for 157 yards and returned nine kicks for 284 yards.
Tedford said Best will not play until he's 100 percent healthy. "If he's not ready to go, we're not going to risk a setback," Tedford said. "It's not a sprained ankle. It's a dislocated elbow." Riley's remarks: Quarterback Kevin Riley spoke publicly for the first time since being replaced by Nate Longshore on Saturday, and the sophomore said he saw the move coming. "I know I could have played better, and I think that's why (Tedford) did it," Riley said. "I was missing some easy throws, and the way I was playing, I would have been surprised if he didn't do it." Riley was 62 of 109 (56.9 percent) for 735 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception in leading Cal to a 3-1 record. He was only 6 of 13 for 59 yards against Colorado State on Sept. 27, however, and failed to score a first-quarter touchdown for the second consecutive week.
"I don't think that's the kind of quarterback I am," Riley said. "You've seen me throw, and that wasn't like me." Longshore was 17 of 28 for 198 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in Saturday's 24-14 win over Arizona State. He led scoring drives on three of Cal's first four possessions in grabbing a 17-0 lead.
"He missed a couple of throws, but he made some great throws, too," Tedford said. "He managed the game really well, and the interception wasn't really his deal. That wasn't the case of someone forcing a football or making a poor decision." Tedford hasn't committed to Longshore starting against Arizona. He says the position is still open, and Longshore and Riley continued to split first- and second-team repetitions Tuesday.
"I've shown I can go in there and play as well," Riley said. "If Nate struggles or something, they might call me to get the job done. I've got to be ready at all times."
Briefly: Receiver Marvin Jones (knee) participated in practice for the first time since the last bye week, Sept. 14-20. Tedford said the freshman will be ready for the Arizona game. ... Defensive end Rulon Davis made his first practice appearance since enduring a leg injury in the first half of the Colorado State game. He was on crutches and had his left leg heavily bandaged, and when he limped into the stadium, defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi and senior defensive end Tyson Alualu left their drill to shake his hand.
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