California QB Longshore to start Emerald Bowl

Dec 26, 2008 - 4:50 PM SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- California quarterback Nate Longshore will start Saturday's Emerald Bowl against Miami, coach Jeff Tedford announced.

Tedford made the announcement Thursday, giving the the fifth-year senior the nod over sophomore Kevin Riley, who started the first four games of the season and five of the last six.

Longshore was the Golden Bears' starter for two years before losing the job to Riley at the start of this season.

"He's just had a couple of really good weeks of practice," Tedford said of Longshore. "He's really sharp throwing the ball and has a really good command of what we're doing. He's really done a nice job."

Tedford added that Longshore appears recovered from the sore right shoulder that bothered him this season.

"I think his shoulder is finally healthy," Tedford told the San Jose Mercury News. "He has a lot of zip on the ball, a lot of command of the offense. He's really accurate throwing it."

Longshore, the second-winningest quarterback in school history, has been relatively efficient in his opportunities this season under center, completing 55.8 percent of his passes while throwing two touchdowns with no interceptions in his last three games.

Riley has connected on 43.1 percent of his passes, with four touchdowns and three interceptions.