Cal Football: QB Sam Jackson V Says, `I'm Expecting to Play' vs. Auburn

Injured in the opener, he also said his status will be a game-time decision for the coaches.

Cal continues to be coy about whether starting quarterback Sam Jackson V will be healthy enough to play in Saturday night’s home opener vs. Auburn. Even Jackson was spouting the company line on Wednesday while meeting with reporters.

“I think that’s a game-time decision,” he said, sounding a bit like a coach.

Then he quickly added, “I’m expecting to play. We’ve all been repping . . . it’s the same thing as last week.”

Cal coach Justin Wilcox, unavailable on Wednesday, called Jackson’s status “day to day” during his Tuesday news conference. “Nothing to announce today there.”

Jackson was injured a minute into the second quarter of Cal’s 58-21 win at North Texas last week and did not return. The TCU transfer was 3 for 4 for 33 yards with one touchdown (and one dropped pass) and ran three times for 18 yards during his brief stint.

“I was pretty excited just to go out there with my team. I talked to them before the game and told them I was pretty honored to be a part of Cal football and get to play with my teammates,” he said.

“I felt like I was playing pretty decent when I first got in. That was my first college football start and I told my team I’m extremely nervous, like I’ve been telling the media. But there was no doubt in my mind I was going to go out there and play well and my team was going to play well also.”

The injury to his left (non-throwing) arm or shoulder came on a running, with Jackson dashing toward the right sideline when traffic converged.

“I was trying actually just to get a couple yards and get out of bounds. With those type of situations . . . there were so many people in one place you don’t want to slide there,” Jackson explained. “It’s kind of hard for you to protect yourself when you’re running into a crowd of people.

“Obviously the injury was kind of unfortunate, but it comes with the game of football.”

Ben Finley, who came to Cal this summer fro North Carolina State, stepped in and played well to help the Bears break the game open. He was 24 for 34 for 279 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Finley hinted Tuesday that he expects Jackson to be ready for Auburn.

“I’m just going to be ready. I’m glad Sam’s healthy right now and he’s practicing,” Finley said during a Tuesday news conference with reporters. “Whatever way they can utilize me for this Saturday, I just want to win.”

Cover photo of Cal quarterback Sam Jackson V

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo