Golden Bears report: Notes, quotes

March 26, 2008
The Sports Xchange

Notes, quotes · Inside slant · Strategy and personnel

SPRING OBJECTIVES
Cal has to decide on a quarterback, with starter Nate Longshore battling Kevin Riley, who led the bowl comeback against Air Force and has more mobility. Longshore has the experience edge and will begin spring with the first team. "I think competition makes everyone their best so it's great to have competition at that position," coach Jeff Tedford said, also including redshirt freshman Brock Mansion in the mix.

BUILDING BLOCKS
The Bears should have one of the top linebacker units in the West, led by Zack Follett, Anthony Felder and Worrell Williams. They combined for 270 tackles last season, including 24 1/2 for loss. The trio also had 8 1/2 sacks, helping out a front four that needs to get more pressure on the quarterback this season.

SCHEDULE SITUATION
An opener at home against Michigan State is an immediate challenge, followed by a Pac-10 game at Washington State. Non-conference games include at Maryland (Sept. 13) and vs. Colorado State (Sept. 27). This is a season in which Cal gets five home Pac-10 games, including a Dec. 6 finale vs. Washington.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"There's no question, we lost a lot of experience; all three of our wide receivers are gone. We feel like we have some talented guys there. Michael Calvin, Jeremy Ross, it's those guys' turn to step up. Nyan [Boateng] would be a guy as well. I don't think that there's any doubt that we're going to need to have the freshmen coming in to contribute. I don't know which one." -- Coach Jeff Tedford, on losing DeSean Jackson, Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins.