By Jonathan Okanes
The best thing about Kevin Riley's day Saturday wasn't what he did on the field during Cal's first spring scrimmage, but what he said afterward. "When bad things happen, you have to let it go," Cal's returning quarterback said after completing 8 of 15 passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. "You have to forget about it and keep on playing." That was easier said than done last season. Riley seemed to get down on himself at times when things weren't going well, and he also was constantly looking over his proverbial shoulder to see if Nate Longshore was going to replace him in the huddle. With Longshore now gone, the competition for the 2009 starting job is Riley's to lose. He's been taking all the first-team reps at practice so far this spring and solidified that role with a solid day Saturday. "Last year, I would think about it more when I threw a bad ball," Riley said. "I'd think I have to play better and wonder if I'm going to be in the game. It came into my head last year." Riley began the scrimmage by leading the offense on a five-play, 70-yard drive that culminated with his 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Jones. Riley was 3-for-3 for 62 yards on the opening possession. "Kevin made a very nice touchdown throw, very accurate," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "It was nice to take the first drive and score."
Riley completed his first six passes of the scrimmage but finished up 2-for-9 taking reps with the first, second and third team. He threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nyan Boateng during a red-zone drill. Brock Mansion, considered Riley's stiffest competition for the job, was just 2-for-11 for 23 yards. Beau Sweeney was 5-for-8 for 55 yards. He led the third team on an 11-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in a 26-yard field goal by backup kicker Nick Demopoulos.
Conte comes on
Junior-to-be cornerback Chris Conte was Cal's standout on defense, making a slew of tackles and breaking up four passes. Conte, who started three games as a freshman but played mostly in nickel situations last season, is trying to push Darian Hagan for a starting job. "I feel I definitely can be the starter," Conte said. "I just need to keep playing hard and have that energy every day." Hagan is being held out of most of spring ball to concentrate on academics, which is freeing up Conte to get most of the first-team reps. "He's having a good spring," Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said.
Extra points
Tight end Tad Smith suffered a broken scapula Thursday during practice. Tedford was unsure about the recovery time, but it could be as long as 4-6 months. Smith, who entered spring as the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart, is scheduled to see a specialist sometime next week. … ... Linebacker Charles Johnson will miss the rest of spring practice with a shoulder injury while defensive end Keith Browner is out indefinitely with a neck injury. … ... Shane Vereen led the Bears in rushing Saturday with 59 yards on eight carries. Jones caught three passes for 47 yards.
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