Cal Football Video: Tackle Jake Curhan Says Both Young QBs Looking Good in Practice

With Devon Modster likely out with an injury, freshman Spencer Brasch and walk-on Robby Rowell seem likely to be Cal's quarterbacks at Utah

Aaron Rodgers is not walking through that door.

Neither is Chase Garbers, not for another couple weeks, at least.

And it seems increasingly clear that Devon Modster, who started the past two games at quarterback for Cal, won't be ready to go, either, after being injured in the fourth quarter against Oregon State.

True freshman Spencer Brasch, a strong-armed, spindly-legged 18-year-old from Gilbert, Arizona, played the final two series against the Beavers. So Brasch, a former three-star prospect, obviously is in the mix to start against the No. 12 Utes and their nationally ranked defense. In fact, head coach Justin Wilcox said on Monday that Brasch would be the starting quarterback on Saturday if Modster can't play.

By all accounts, redshirt freshman Robby Rowell, a walk-on from Acalanes High in Lafayette, also is taking lots of snaps in practice this week. And while he is one year older than Brasch, he has never thrown a pass in a college football game. Wilcox said this week that Rowell would be Brasch's backup if Modster is out.

We asked junior tackle Jake Curhan how both young players are doing in practice in preparation for a likely assignment at chilly (and sold out) Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City against a defense that has allowed just 23 points the past three games.

Curhan said both guys are zipping the ball around nicely in practice and he sounded confident either would give his best in what promises to be a very difficult game.

Listed at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, Brasch was 2-for-6 for 24 yards with an interception (on a pass tipped at the line) and two sacks in his brief relief appearance against Oregon State.

At Higley High, Brasch passed for 5,522 yards with 78 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions over his junior and senior seasons. His team had a record of 21-6 those two seasons, reaching the semifinals of the state playoffs both times. 

Rowell, a 6-2, 220-pounder, passed for 5,189 yards with 61 TDs and 28 interceptions during a four-year varsity career, the final two seasons as a starter. Acalanes was 18-4 during Rowell's two seasons as the starter.