[Quack Attack]

Kevin Riley wins starting QB spot for Cal opener (football notes, links)

Posted by Mike Tokito, The Oregonian August 22, 2008 08:21AM



Categories: Football
As Ducks fans stare intently at the panic button after Nate Costa suffers a knee injury, the countdown to the start of the season continues. The big news, though, comes out of Cal. To the links:
Associated Press

Kevin Riley tiptoed past Nate Longshore in the competition to be Cal's opening day starting quarterback.


-- Kevin Riley, the former Beaverton High School standout, will be the starting quarterback for Cal in its opener against Michigan State next Saturday. Riley, a sophomore who was the MVP of the Armed Services Bowl, beat out senior Nate Longshore. "It's a dream come true to be a starter in the Pac-10, so I've got to take advantage of it," Riley says. Now, that doesn't mean Riley will take every single snap. From the SF Chronicle's Rusty Simmons:

There are some caveats to the decision. Tedford said senior incumbent Nate Longshore will play at some point Aug. 30 against Michigan State, and the competition between the duo will be continuous. "Kevin is going to start the first game," Tedford said. "We feel like both of them have had great camps. Kevin will take the first snaps, and we'll see where we go from there. We're confident in both of them, but we want to see the roles reversed and how that works. We're looking for the best chance to be successful."

Longshore, by the way, declined to speak to reporters. Riley summed up their relationship this way: "Nate and I are here to support each other. I have so much respect for the guy. I'm going to look for his help and he's going to look for my help when he's in the game. It's all about making the team better."