While Zach Maynard is the undisputed starter for the Bears, Allan Bridgford is ready fill in if Zach is unexpectedly unable to play.
Waiting in the wings is Bridgford, the junior backup from Mission Viejo. Bridgford completed just 13 of 32 pass attempts in mop-up duty last season but said he's "definitely" ready for any opportunity.
Ask him his goal for spring ball, and he responds without hesitation: "Being the best quarterback on the team."
Bridgford is convinced the coaches share his confidence. "If something were to happen to Zach and I was the one who was in there," he said, "I don't think they have any problem with that."
Agreed, said Tedford.
"He's healthy, throwing the ball very accurately. He's very, very smart and understands what we're doing," Tedford said. "So I feel really confident and would be really comfortable with him on the field for us."
Offensive coordinator Jim Michalczik said Bridgford's confidence sprouts from preparation. "A phenomenal work ethic," Michalczik said. "During the season last year, I started calling him Coach Bridge because he was always watching film."
After the jump water polo upsets top-ranked UCLA and softball outscores Utah 33-6 to post an impressive sweep.
Football
- The injury bug has bitten the Bears as center Mark Brazinski tore his ACL (and will miss the 2012 season) and CJ Anderson dislocated his thumb (he will miss the remainder of spring practice).
- In a particularly giving mood, Jeff Tedford handed out chocolate Easter bunnies to members of the press at Saturday's practice.
via a.yfrog.com
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Basketball
- Several Bears earned All-Academic Pac-12 honors. Harper Kamp was a second-team pick while Jorge Gutierrez was an honorable mention. On the women's team Layshia Clarendon earned second-team honors and Talia Caldwell, Eliza Pierre, and Lindsay Sherbert were honorable mentions.
- Jorge Gutierrez was invited to the 2012 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.
Softball
- Cal opened the weekend series with a 10-0 mercy win over Utah.
- Friday's game was snowed out and forced a doubleheader on Saturday. Cal won the first game of the day 11-3 and wrapped up a near-perfect weekend by going three-for-three in mercy victories: 12-3 was the final score of game two on Saturday.
- CalBears.com continues to interview players from the 2002 championship-winning team. This time they talk to former right fielder Kristen Morley. They also interviewed relief pitcher Kelly Anderson.
- The Bears opened the series against USC with a thrilling 5-4 win. Down 4-0, Cal scored 5 runs in the final four innings. BearTerritory has more coverage from Los Angeles.
- USC scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to notch a 2-1 win over Cal.
- USC won the season series after Cal gave up another run in the bottom of the ninth.
- Daniela Holmqvist was named Pac-12 Golfer of the Month.
- The men's team set a school record with its fourth tournament win of the season. Trailing by four strokes heading into Saturday, the Bears put together a phenomenal effort to win by eight strokes. Cal had never won the ASU Thunderbird Invitational.
- The 12th-ranked Bears men's team topped no. 22 UW 7-0.
- Posting its best start in nearly 60 years, the men's team defeated Oregon 7-0. Cal is 4-0 in conference play.