Reed, Riley compete for No. 2 QB berth
By Jonathan Okanes
Right now the race between Kyle Reed and Kevin Riley is too close to call, but Coach Jeff Tedford said he will name a No. 2 quarterback after Cal's scrimmage Thursday. Reed and Riley are locked in a competitive battle to back up incumbent starter Nate Longshore. They were listed as co-No. 2s on the depth chart after spring practice. "It's still very competitive," Tedford said. "Physically, they both do a very nice job. It really comes down to which guy is going to be able to run the show the best and handle the things that we're asking them to do." Reed is a redshirt sophomore and Riley a redshirt freshman. The winner of the backup job will be in position to become the heir apparent to Longshore, a junior. "Whoever takes this job should be the future of the program," Reed said. "I think it's a close race. Kevin is a great quarterback, and I also feel confident in my abilities. I understand that we're competing. I understand that I have to work hard to get the job."
Last season, Cal had three experienced quarterbacks - Longshore, Joe Ayoob and Steve Levy. Now, if the Bears need to call on a replacement for Longshore, it will be someone who never has appeared in a college game. "Through the spring, I learned the offense and then I studied during summer as well," Riley said. "I feel like I have a real good grasp of the offense." The scrimmage will be the first chance for the two backups to play under simulated game conditions. "Competing is part of football," Riley said. "If you're not competitive, you're never going to be a winner. It's fun going out here every day knowing you have to do better than the other guy."
There's probably more at stake for Reed. If Riley wins the job and stays ahead of him on the depth chart, opportunities for Reed might be slim because he is a year older.
"That's tough to think about, but I'm not even thinking about that right now," Reed said. "I'm focused on one thing, and that's trying to be the best quarterback I can be and trying to get that No. 2 spot." Redshirt freshman Derrick Hill still hasn't practiced because of back spasms, and it's costing him an opportunity to make an impact on the defensive line. Big things were expected from Hill after he demonstrated he was recovered from a knee injury with a strong showing during spring practice. The Bears have a starting spot open at defensive tackle, but it looks as if that will go to someone else for now. "It's frustrating because I knew I had an opportunity to continue the good spring I had," Hill said. "It's disappointing that I'm not on the field every day with everyone else."
Tedford said last week that Hill's injury was a product of not being in shape, and Hill conceded that might be the case. "I'm probably not in the best shape I could be in," he said. "I thought I was, but I guess I should have worked even harder. I can use it as motivation to push forward." Offensive lineman Chet Teofilo underwent surgery on his dislocated thumb Monday and is expected to miss a few days of practice. Defensive tackle Matt Malele sat out practice to rest a sore knee but is expected back today. Backup offensive lineman Kevin Bemoll has been suspended for the fall because of a team violation, Tedford said. Linebacker Alex Cook, a transfer from Blinn Community College in Texas who was expected to be on the roster this season, won't join the team until the spring, Tedford said.
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