Cal Football: QB Sam Jackson V Promises He Will Learn to Slide
Sam Jackson V promises he will learn how to slide.
“Tomorrow,” he said after Cal’s 31-17 win over Idaho, meaning Monday, when the Bears next practice.
Can’t be soon enough for Cal fans or coach Justin Wilcox after Jackson’s legs almost got him into trouble in the third quarter on Saturday.
Idaho was the best game-day evidence we’ve seen of Jackson’s ability to run the ball as a quarterback. He had 61 yards before two sacks, and scored on a 27-yard designed run.
But we also saw the reason running quarterbacks can have a limited football life expectancy.
Sam Jackson V on the move
Photo by Kyle Terada, USA Today
With 3:50 left in the third quarter and the Bears leading 21-17, Jackson took off on a keeper on third-and-10 from the Idaho 30-yard line. He said he briefly looked over his shoulder when he was smacked hard by safety Dwayne McDougle after a 7-yard gain.
“They took me out and I had a little concussion protocol on the sidelines. I was good,” he said. “My neck’s probably going to hurt tomorrow but I was good after the hit. I was just looking for a flag.”
Ben Finley finished the drive at quarterback, helping Cal get into the end zone for a 28-17 lead. Jackson returned to action the next time the Bears got the ball.
Wilcox wants his quarterback to hit the deck when he sees trouble coming.
“He got to learn on first and second down, we either dive or slide. We don’t take those shots,” said Wilcox, who apparently didn’t remember the play happened on third down.
Either way, Wilcox doesn’t want the 5-foot-11, 195-pound sophomore absorbing direct hits.
“I love that he’s willing, but learning how to slide or go down when it’s first or second down. He’s going to grow a lot.”
“That was will be the last time,” Jackson said. “I will slide for sure next time.”
Jackson admits it’s a skill he has not mastered.
“We have practice on Monday, so I think we’re going to get a little slide drill going because I might be one of the only ones who don’t know how to slide,” he said. “I used to dive in high school but . . . I just need to learn how to slide.”
Jackson blames his inability to make a feet-first slide on the fact that he terminated his baseball carer after . . . three innings.
“I played baseball for one game. That was like three innings and the game’s too long, so I quit baseball,” he said, laughing. “If I played baseball more, maybe I’d (be able to) slide.
“Monday we’ll get that going for sure.”
TAKEAWAY KINGS: Cal shares the FBS lead in defensive takeaways at 10 with four other teams. The Bears and Colorado are the only Power 5 conference teams with 10, joined by Fresno State, Liberty and San Diego State.
The Bears’ opponent on Saturday, No. 8 Washington, has just four turnovers forced through three games. The Huskies have lost three turnovers, giving them a plus-1 turnover margin.
Cal, with five giveaways, has a plus-5 turnover margin, tied for eighth-best in the country.
Cover photo of Cal quarterback Sam Jackson V
Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo
