Spring Break
Bears defense spurs late quarterback shuffle
Sean Victor Star
Issue date: 9/29/08 Section: Sports
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Billy Farris, a fifth-year senior who had performed admirably as a first-year starter entering the game, was the ring leader, completing less than half his passes (12-25) for less than 100 yards (96), while getting sacked four times, throwing two interceptions and failing to get his team on the scoreboard.
After being unable to penetrate past Cal's 39-yard line through three quarters, Farris was replaced by backup Klay Kubiak with the game well out of hand.
Kubiak, a redshirt freshman seeing his first action at the collegiate level, completed six of his nine passes for 130 yards, led the Rams to their only touchdown and completed passes of 63 and 36 yards.
The contrasting performances seem to reek of a quarterback controversy.
"I'll reassess every position after every practice and every game. And I've tried to make that point very clear to our football team," Fairchild said. "As to (the quarterback position) specifically, I don't know, I'm gonna look at the film. I think it'd be unfair for me to make any judgment right now."
Other than what Fairchild finds on the game film, there seems to be justification for going with either quarterback when the Rams enter conference play Saturday against UNLV.
Before the loss at Cal, CSU ranked second in the conference in passing offense with Farris at the helm. Also, losing your starting job after just one bad game would be a tough pill for any player to swallow.
But as Fairchild admitted himself: "We have our work cut out for us."
Saturday's loss certainly proved that, as it was the worst margin of defeat the Rams have endured since 2004 when they lost at then-third-ranked USC 49-0.
Giving a young quarterback like Kubiak experience now could pay dividends in the future.
After the game, Farris and Kubiak approached the situation similarly, putting the team first like any good teammates would. Though Farris wasn't happy with getting replaced, he did recognize his backup's impressive debut.
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