Longhorns turn to quarterback with Pac 10 bloodline

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Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert, thrust into the spotlight after Colt McCoy injured a shoulder, has Pacific 10 Conference bloodlines. His father, Gale Gilbert, was California’s starting quarterback for three seasons and still ranks as the Bears’ fifth all-time passer. Gilbert played eight seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers. He is the only player in NFL history to go to five straight Super Bowls (four with the Bills, one with the Chargers.).

But Gilbert’s biggest claim to fame is being Cal’s starting quarterback the day the Bears beat Stanford (and John Elway) on ‘The Play.’

Garrett Gilbert, a freshman, threw for 12,540 yards at Lake Travis (Tex.) High School, the most in Texas state history. He also threw 138 touchdown passes, second most in state history.

Gilbert has not lost a football game in three seasons, going 30-0 his last two years in high school and 13-0 with Texas this season.

-- Chris Foster