Jonathan Okanes
Kevin Riley became Cal's starting quarterback last week — in name only. Truth be told, Riley assumed the role of the Bears' leader on offense much before that. As soon as the 2008 season ended, he rallied his teammates to organize extra offseason workouts and worked hard on his craft. So by the time coach Jeff Tedford officially made Riley No. 1 on the depth chart last week, it seemed almost a formality.
"Kevin kind of assumed that role after the season last year through spring practice and summer workouts," Tedford said. "I don't see any difference in him as far as just being named the starter. He's really matured and become much more of a stable person of understanding the situation and having a lot of confidence in himself." As a returning starter and the only quarterback on the roster who has ever taken a meaningful snap in a game, Riley proceeded as though he would be the starter again in 2009, despite Tedford's insistence that there would be an open competition. Riley assumed a leadership role that he felt uncomfortable with last season because he shared time with fifth-year senior Nate Longshore. "It was kind of a difficult situation," Riley said. "You want to step up and be a leader, but at the same time I didn't want to cross over because Nate was a leader as well, and he had done a lot of good things."
Offensive players say Riley is displaying a confidence and comfort level that wasn't there last year, partly because of his experience and partly because there is no question he is now the man in charge.
"He's just more confident and he has more poise in the huddle," Cal tailback Jahvid Best said. "He's leading the team better than he was last year. He's definitely the leader of our team now. You come out to practice and he steps in the huddle, everybody just stops talking and listens to him."
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