Huskies Notebook: Backup QB gets Cal call

Tedford retains confidence in touted transfer Ayoob

By MOLLY YANITY

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The 19th-ranked California Bears come to Husky Stadium on Saturday with an impressive season-opening victory under their belt, but without their starting quarterback.  In the second quarter of the Bears' opener Saturday, Nate Longshore was lost for the season with a broken left leg. Still, the Bears were able to rout Sacramento State, 41-3. Coach Jeff Tedford was able to get several players into the game and iron out wrinkles.  Despite completing no passes in 10 attempts against Sacramento State, junior college transfer Joe Ayoob will get his first Division I-A start against Washington.

"He did well in the spring," Tedford said. "I was really happy with his retention from spring to summer and then to camp with the mental part of the game."   Ayoob, the 2004 national JC offensive player of the year at San Francisco City College, lost a heated competition with Longshore for the starting job this fall.   "The other day was a tough start for him," Tedford said. "Coming off the bench when he did, in the two-minute drill and having to throw the ball down the field like he did was a little difficult. Then I think he just put some pressure on himself." But Tedford, considered by many to be a quarterback guru, isn't too concerned.

"It's a learning experience, but he definitely has the ability to be a great player," he said. "People take time. "I remember when (2004 first-round pick) Aaron Rodgers had a 9-for-34 game against Oregon State two years ago. The great ones persevere and bounce back, and that's what we expect Joe to do."

Ayoob was pulled against Sacramento State for third-string quarterback Steve Levy, who played fullback last year.  "I can only imagine, or try to think along the lines that (Cal coaches) might think, but I don't think they anticipate one of their quarterbacks going 0-for-10 again," Huskies coach Tyrone Willingham said. "I think they have a lot of confidence in their quarterback and their system."

Tedford praised electrifying running back Marshawn Lynch, who had a career-high 147 yards and a touchdown, and freshman DeSean Jackson. Jackson had two catches for 36 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown, and returned a punt 49 yards for a touchdown. Tedford also singled out middle linebacker Desmond Bishop, who made seven tackles.  

HURTING HUSKIES: Offensive tackle Joe Toledo will be out of action against Cal because of a high-ankle sprain suffered Saturday. Willingham said Toledo is considered week to week.

Willingham said strongside tackle Robin Meadow will shift into Toledo's slot, with backup Chad Macklin taking Meadow's spot.

"(The moves) will hopefully have our best guy, Robin Meadow, protecting our quarterback's backside," Willingham said.

Defensive end Brandon Ala (knee) also will be out Saturday, but safety C.J. Wallace (eye) and cornerback Roy Lewis (shoulder) are likely to play.

There is no estimate on the return of defensive tackle Jordan White-Frisbee, Willingham said. White-Frisbee started eight games in 2004, but has a broken foot and has yet to practice this fall.