By Kevin Hampton
| Posted: Friday, November 14, 2008 12:00 am
Gazette-Times reporter
The game didn't work out quite the way he expected the last time Kevin Riley faced Oregon State as the University of California's quarterback.
The Golden Bears entered the game as the No. 2-ranked team in the nation and were expected to roll past the Beavers in Berkeley. The Beavers, however, played well enough to hold a 31-28 lead as the clock wound down.
Riley, who was handed his first career start just minutes before kickoff, had been hot all day and was apparently leading the Golden Bears to the game-winning score or at least a field goal to tie.
That's when it all unraveled.
Riley dropped to pass at the OSU 12 with 14 seconds left. He felt pressure to his left, so he took off with the ball instead of tossing it away to stop the clock. He was cut down by Joey LaRocque at the 9 with seven seconds left and the Golden Bears could not get their field goal unit set up in time.
Riley later said he chose not to throw the ball because he was afraid he had already crossed the line of scrimmage.
Fans were not pleased with the outcome, but Riley was able to bounce back with the help of his teammates and coaches.
"People on the team were very supportive," Riley said. "It was a situation where we almost came out on top, but my mistake at the end was very costly. You've got to learn from it."
Lesson learned. This season Riley has split time with Nate Longshore, but has been very effective for the Golden Bears. He leads the Golden Bears in passing, completing 91 of 178 passes for 1,124 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions.
Riley has made big strides since last season.
"It's been a vast improvement," he said. "Just in the knowledge of the game, being ready and knowing how to prepare for a game. I know what to expect now."
That includes accepting the current situation as a part-time starter alongside Longshore. The players have worked together to help the Golden Bears to a successful season.
"It's not the deal you want as a quarterback, but we both understand and want what is going to be best for the team," Riley said. "We support each other completely."
Riley has played well enough that he was named the starter for Saturday's game at Oregon State.
It's a big game for both teams. The Beavers are looking to go to the Rose Bowl by winning their final three games. The Golden Bears can finish as high as second in the Pacific-10 Conference if they win out and Arizona stumbles.
"It's another big game we've got to play," Riley said. "It's a big game for us, period. It'll be fun playing Oregon State again after what happened last year."
Playing at Oregon State is particularly special for Riley because he's from Oregon and played for his father, Faustin, at Beaverton High.
Riley nearly wound up at OSU. His decision came down to Cal and the Beavers.
"I love the coaches there, (OSU coach) Mike Riley is a great guy," Kevin Riley said. "It was pretty tough decision, but I talked it over with my dad and we both decided that Cal was the best situation for me."
Now Riley will get his chance to start in Reser Stadium.
"It's a cool thing because it's not very often that I can go home and play in front of family and friends," Riley said. "I've got a lot of family coming."
He is friends with OSU players Greg Laybourn, who was the Beaverton quarterback before he took over, and Casey Noack.
Riley and Laybourn talk throughout the season. There has been a little back-and-forth banter leading into this game and the winner will get some bragging rights. Riley doesn't figure on running out the clock for the Beavers this time.
"This is my turn," he said.