Surgery likely ends Longshore's season

Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, September 4, 2005
Nate Longshore will have surgery today on the fractured fibula that will probably keep him out for the rest of the regular season. The redshirt freshman quarterback was injured in the second quarter just after he had completed a 44-yard pass.
Cal coach Jeff Tedford said Longshore told him he had thrown the pass and was looking downfield when he was hit from behind.
Tedford described the injury as a broken ankle. Specifically, he said, Longshore broke his fibula on the outside of his left leg down low near the ankle area.
"It's really unfortunate," he said. "Nate was playing really well."
Tedford said he didn't see the injury and would review the tape.
"I'll be very disappointed it it's a late hit or somebody diving into him low," Tedford said.
Bishop's a stopper: Junior college All-American linebacker Desmond Bishop said he was "kind of nervous" in his Division I debut.
Still, he led the team with seven solo tackles. He also broke up a pass play.
Ryan Foltz, the only returning starter at linebacker, had six solo stops. Tackle Brandon Mebane had two tackles for losses, one of them a sack. The defense also helped the offense, setting up two scores. Tackle Abu Ma'afala recovered a fumble in the third quarter, setting up a field goal. Linebacker Zack Follett came up with a loose ball in the fourth quarter, setting up a Cal touchdown.
Backing Lynch: Junior tailback Marcus O'Keith, down on the depth chart behind Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, made the most of his opportunities late in the game. He had two carries, gaining 17 yards on the first and 52 on the second.
Sophomore Forsett gained 12 yards in four carries and senior Terrell Williams had nine yards in four carries. Record crowd: Attendance was announced at 65,938 -- a new opening-day record. It broke the old record of 58,949 -- set last year against New Mexico State. Lonie boots: Punter David Lonie is also handling the kickoffs this year. During training camp he was consistently sending his kickoffs into the end zone. He had eight kickoffs and put three into the end zone. He also punted seven times, averaging 40.4 yards -- the longest a 50 yarder.
Briefly: Junior third-string quarterback Steve Levy threw his first career touchdown pass, connecting with Noah Smith on a 46-yard play. "I threw the best ball of my life," he said. ... Sacramento State coach Steve Mooshagian on Lynch: "Their running back is a beast, man." ... Tedford on freshman receiver DeSean Jackson, who had two catches for 37 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown pass, and a 49 yard punt return for a touchdown: "When he has the ball in his hands, he's pretty special."