The Wait Is Over: Kevin Riley Named Cal's Starting QB

Nate Longshore, who led the Bears to a No. 2 ranking last season before sitting out the Oregon State game with an injury, will not be the Opening Day starter for Cal.

It's hard not to feel bad for Longshore, who bounced back from a horrible game at Tennessee in 2007 to have a great first half of the season.  However, it was painfully obvious that his mechanics were adversely affected by his injury, and the last few games were a nightmare.

Jeff Tedford did say, "Nate Longshore will play at some point in the game" (Scout.com).  But hopefully Jeff will stick with one QB, and not bench Kevin Riley if he is playing poorly, or use Longshore only in certain situations.

Riley is not Tim Tebow.  He can't run all that well, despite the fact that he looks like Usain Bolt when compared to Longshore.  Kevin is not an effective "change of pace" QB, and hopefully he will be successful enough to keep the starting spot all for himself.

Although they don't have a grind-it-out, smashmouth back (maybe Covaughn DeBoskie can fill this role, although he has no game experience), Cal seems to have taken steps to address weaknesses in the offensive line, and they will probably run the ball more to make Riley's job easier. 

Controlling the clock and dominating time of possession will be key for a team that is replacing its starting QB and wide receiver corps, not to mention its starting running back.  Apparently the O-line has looked better in practice, and getting Riley back on the field quickly, as well as minimizing his mistakes, will be key.

Riley's performances (the last play of the OSU game notwithstanding) were very good, and there is no reason to believe that he won't do well.  He showed good poise, even in the final drive of the OSU game, and rallied Cal back in the bowl game.

Cal's first game against Michigan State will be a tough battle, since Javon Ringer has the potential to shred the Cal defense and put pressure on Riley to put up points in the air.  It is a home game, however, and that fact should help calm Kevin's nerves some.

This is a critical year for Cal as they hope to get momentum going in the 10-1 direction again and recapture the Ax.  There will be quite a few distractions (tree sitters—again), but hopefully a QB controversy will not be one of them.  Best of luck, Kevin.

Go Bears!