Overview
- Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi said Tuesday that he took play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville at halftime of the Week 5 loss to UNLV and handed them to passing game coordinator Pat McCann.
- The halftime switch produced a second-half rally but did not prevent a 39-31 loss to UNLV, leaving Cal 2-3 in Lupoi’s first season as head coach.
- Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was removed late in the first half for a possible concussion, limiting continuity at the position and leaving his status for the Virginia Tech game uncertain.
- Somerville, 30, was hired after three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is in his first role as an offensive play-caller, a fact that critics have highlighted as the offense has lagged in scoring and efficiency.
- General manager Ron Rivera publicly backed Lupoi’s decision and the team will use the Virginia Tech game as the first test of McCann’s play-calling while observers watch whether the change signals longer-term staff or scheme moves.