Wilcox will let QB competition continue
The competition for Cal’s starting quarterback spot appears headed for at least another week of jostling.
The coaching staff will continue to evaluate the position and probably won’t name a starter until just before Saturday night’s kickoff at BYU, head coach Justin Wilcox said Monday — two days after three players rotated at quarterback in a 24-17 victory over North Carolina.
Incumbent Ross Bowers went 8-for-17 for 56 yards and was sacked twice, and the junior didn’t play in the second half. Redshirt freshman Chase Garbers completed 7 of 13 passes for 54 yards and ran 10 times for 39. Transfer Brandon McIlwain, playing mostly in a heavy package between the 30s, ran three times for 26 yards.
“We’ll evaluate that moving forward. Everything is on the table,” Wilcox said. “Quite honestly, probably this week, we won’t announce a starter until game time. We’ll have a plan going forward, but we won’t announce anything.”
Wilcox said he’s not trying to play it coy as BYU prepares to face the Bears. Instead, he’s simply allowing the competition to play itself out organically after the three quarterbacks failed to separate themselves during spring practices, training camp and Week 1.
Bowers started all 12 games for Cal last season, completing 59 percent of his passes for 3,039 yards and 18 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Garbers and McIlwain earned the right to get their first game-day snaps in a Cal uniform by showcasing the mobility and creativity suited to a run-pass-option offense.
“We planned on playing them all and giving them opportunities,” Wilcox said. “... I think all three of them can play better, and I think all three of them would tell you the same thing.”
Asked if he’d ideally like to prune the competition to one man, Wilcox said: “I don’t know if there’s a great answer to that. It depends on what’s best for the team . ... I don’t know if there’s a right or wrong way. I think it’s unique to every team. I’m not against playing more than one guy, and if one guy separates himself, great, that’s who it will be.”
Goode update: Cal’s most dynamic defensive player, Cameron Goode ,wasina walking boot and using a knee scooter after Monday’s practice, but Wilcox stopped short of saying the sophomore outside linebacker would miss the rest of the season.
“With the injury report, we’ll announce people who are out for the season. Other than that, we’ll get him back as soon as humanly possible,” Wilcox said. “He’ll be with our strength and conditioning and sports-medicine staff.”
Goode made a consistent nuisance of himself in North Carolina’s backfield Saturday and returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown. He appeared to injure his lower left leg with about 10½ minutes remaining, when he rolled under quarterback Nathan Elliott on a tackle.