Boller’s Season Ends in Pain

Kyle Boller’s bumpy freshman season ended with a big thump.

The California quarterback dislocated his right shoulder on a hard hit by Oregon rover Michael Fletcher at the end of a six-yard run early in the third quarter of Cal’s 24-19 loss on Saturday.

Boller had surgery Monday and will miss Saturday’s season finale against Stanford. He won’t be able to throw for at least three months.

“He took a huge hit,” Cal Coach Tom Holmoe said.

The shoulder has tendon and ligament damage but is not fractured, said Bob Boller, Kyle’s father.

Boller became a starter early in the season and struggled like the rest of the Bears (4-6). Although Boller set several state passing records at Hart, he started only as a senior and the lack of experience made his freshman year at Cal a learning experience.

“Kyle had on-the-job training and that is always difficult,” Holmoe said. “He has tremendous talent as well as the intangibles you want in a quarterback. His future is bright.”

Boller’s statistics were dismal. He completed nine of 25 with three interceptions against Oregon and was 100 of 259 (38.6%) for 1,303 yards and nine touchdowns with 15 interceptions this season.

The last touchdown was memorable. He hit Ronnie Davenport for a 48-yard score as time ran out in the first half after Oregon built a 24-0 lead. Cal continued to rally in the second half but fell short.

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Tony Walker (Antelope Valley) is still a blur. But there is focus were there was uncertainty, and a clear destiny.

Walker, one of the fastest players ever in the region, was sought by Tennessee and USC during his senior year. But a learning disability forced him to settle for Utah State, a school with a tradition of taking chances on nonqualifiers.

The Aggies’ faith in Walker was well-founded. After sitting out in 1997, he has started at cornerback for two years. He returns punts and even mixes in some action at wide receiver.

Best of all, he is on track to regain his senior season of eligibility, which would give him two more years. Walker must be 75% of the way toward earning a degree after his junior year.

“He’s still working hard in his classes and doing well,” said Henry Miller, Utah State’s defensive backs coach. “We are anticipating that he will get that year back and be with us for two more years.”

Utah State (2-8) will try to end a five-game losing streak against Nevada (3-6) on Saturday.

Walker, 6 feet and 195 pounds, will try to slow Nevada quarterback David Neill (Hart), whom he played against in high school. Neill has completed 220 of 379 passes for 3,031 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Walker must cover Trevor Insley, who leads the NCAA with 117 receptions.

“Tony held his own last year against those guys,” Miller said. “He’s had a great season. His covering skills just keep improving.

“He needs to add a little more strength. Next year we plan on having him play on both sides of the ball most of the time. He’s quick as all outdoors.”

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Short gains: Fullback Ted Iacenda (Hart) has more receptions than carries for New Mexico. In his first season since transferring from USC, Iacenda has 20 catches for 199 yards and 18 carries for 78 yards. . . . Washington sophomore J.K. Scott (Burroughs) began the season as the backup to Marques Tuiasosopo, but has slipped to third on the depth chart behind freshman Cody Pickett. Scott has not taken a snap this season. . . . Despite being hampered by injuries, Leaford Hackett (Poly, Valley College) is among Pacific 10 Conference leaders with 44 receptions for 525 yards and two touchdowns.