California Wins, 41-3, but Loses Quarterback

California Coach Jeff Tedford has build a reputation for developing quarterbacks. This could be his greatest challenge.

The No. 19 Golden Bears defeated Division I-AA Sacramento State, 41-3, Saturday at Berkeley, but lost quarterback Nate Longshore because of a broken leg. His season appears to be over.

Joe Ayoob, Longshore’s replacement, threw 10 incompletions in a row.

Ayoob eventually was replaced by Steve Levy, who played fullback last season. He then threw an interception on his first pass but later threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Noah Smith.

With little success passing, the Bears turned to Marshawn Lynch, who ran for 147 yards.

“It’s nice that we’ve got a supporting cast around that we don’t have to rely on our [quarterback] to win every game for us,” Tedford said. “It’s really unfortunate. Nate was playing really well.”

Longshore was eight of 11 for 131 yards with an interception when he got hurt.

It was thought Longshore’s ankle was sprained, but tests revealed a broken fibula.

Ayoob took over but looked comically bad, with most of his passes sailing over the heads of his receivers. Ayoob was expected to replace Aaron Rodgers last spring but lost the chance with dozens of similarly inaccurate throws in training camp.

“I couldn’t even tell you why I wasn’t hitting them,” Ayoob said. “I’ve never played a football game where that’s happened before. I’ve never thrown balls like that.”

Said Levy, who went two of seven for 52 yards despite not taking a snap in practice last week: “I threw the best ball of my life. It was a dream. It’s just a blur. It’s been a long journey to get this far.”

Levy moved to fullback last year in an ill-fated attempt to get on the field after two seasons on the bench but went back to quarterback this spring.

DeSean Jackson, Cal’s top recruit from Long Beach Poly, caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Longshore on the Bears’ opening drive. Jackson also returned a fourth-quarter punt 49 yards for a score, diving into the end zone.

“I got out there and was a little excited, so I messed up on a couple of plays,” Jackson said. “We were planning for me to get the ball a lot more on offense, but it couldn’t happen with the [quarterbacks].”

Air Force 20, Washington 17 -- The Falcons scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to spoil Tyrone Willingham’s debut as Husky coach at Seattle.

Oregon State 41, Portland State 14 -- Matt Moore, a transfer from UCLA, passed for 367 yards and four scores in the Beavers’ win at Corvallis, Ore.