He's Got Next?

Wideout Jeremy Ross chuckles just recounting the story. The Cal football team was trying its best to look "hard" and intense. It was, after all, time to pose for the team picture.

Freshman quarterback Kevin Riley strutted on from stage left with a goofy grin. The whole team burst out laughing, looking at his ridiculous walk.

"You can just sense his funniness wherever he is," says Ross, not the most solemn guy himself. "The days are tough, and he knows how to change the mood. He's a really outgoing guy."

There was nobody there to lighten the mood after Riley's first career start last year. For a while, it seemed like the confident gunslinger with the goofy demeanor might have to spend the next two years thinking about 14 seconds.

Riley has not forgotten the crushing 31-28 loss to Oregon State, in which he was stopped well short of the goal line and could not spike the ball with time winding down. The field goal unit never came close to seeing the field-costing the Bears their undefeated season, a No. 1 national ranking and a potential BCS bid.

But his confidence is not shaken. After Saturday's scrimmage, during which he efficiently if not masterfully led the first team offense, Riley walks over to his mom and slowly takes the tape off his throwing hand. His voice remains calm and level when a reporter asks him for the umpteenth time to talk about his first career start against the Beavers.

"I've definitely thought about it," says Riley with a hint of understatement. "I was nervous. I had a lot of jitters at the start."

Riley got his redemption in the Armed Forces Bowl at the end of the season and might have a few more chances to prove himself in the fall if coach Jeff Tedford names him the starter over two-year incumbent Nate Longshore.

Riley led the Bears back from a 21-0 deficit and completed 16-of-19 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns as MVP of the Armed Forces Bowl, looking nothing like a freshman getting significant playing time for only the second time in his career.

"Players were making reads, there was awesome protection," says Riley. "It was great not ending the season with that OSU game."

The youngest of three brothers came into this offseason brimming with confidence. And with Longshore sitting out with a pectoral strain, all eyes have been on Riley through much of spring ball. The competition, however, is nowhere near over.

"The competition was never going to be won or lost in the spring," says Tedford. "I'm just looking to see what guys can do."

Tedford knows that Riley has a rare blend of elusiveness, a quick release and good touch on his long ball. But by many accounts, Riley has struggled somewhat over the last month, possibly because he is working with a whole new batch of receivers.

Last Friday, he rifled a 12-yard out to Nyan Boateng, who dropped the pass. He then overthrew Ross badly over the middle and threw the next ball away under pressure. On Saturday, his pass sailed five feet over the head of Michael Calvin, streaking open on a 25-yard post.

"It's all about communication and timing out there right now," says Riley. "I'm just working on really learning the offense and performing every down. Competition just makes you work that much harder."

Riley finished Saturday's scrimmage 4-for-7 for 30 yards and received by far the largest ovations of the day from the over 2,000 in attendance.

It's no secret who the fans favor to lead the Bears next year.

Looking back, Longshore led Cal to five losses in the final seven games last season and committed a number of crippling fourth-quarter interceptions. However, he also took the majority of the first-team snaps when he was healthy this spring and has two years of experience at the helm under his belt.

"Nate and I both want to be No. 1, but that doesn't change the fact that we're friends," Riley said. "I've been waiting for a long time for a starting opportunity, and I've got to take advantage."

He's already won over some converts. Ross gets giddy just talking about what Riley brings to the table and what kind of leadership qualities he exudes.

"His arm is really strong, and that deep ball is crucial," says Ross. "He gets it there really fast and gives me a chance to catch it and make a move."

All Riley asks for is a chance.

He claims to have never questioned his confidence, which showed when he addressed the media immediately after the Oregon State game. He vowed to make the right decision the next time in the clutch, despite the tears still welling up in his eyes.

He will be ready for the criticism the next time around.

"When you do well everyone loves you; badly, they hate you," says Riley. "Quarterback is the big name. It comes with the territory."

Tags: KEVIN RILEY