Redshirt freshman quarterback Zach Kline threw a deep pass
down the middle of the field that connected perfectly in stride with sophomore
wide receiver Bryce Treggs.
A crowd of a few hundred fans voiced their approval.
A fresh dynamic under
new head football coach Sonny Dykes is that spring workouts are open to the
public. Passionate Cal fans came to Memorial Stadium on Monday evening to watch
the first spring practice of 2013, and were treated to an action-packed,
enthusiastic practice.
"I thought the turnout was good," Dykes said after
completing his first practice as Cal's coach. "I think our players are
energized when people come out and watch practice. Hopefully, everybody liked what
they saw."
Moments later, junior quarterback Austin Hinder delivered a
touchdown pass to wide receiver Drake Whitehurst, drawing another positive
reaction from the crowd.
"It made it more fun," Hinder said. "I thought it was more
live. You look up there and you have the fans getting into your throws. It
makes it fun. That makes you want to do it again. Now people can come and have
fun."
Fans, players and coaches braved a chilly evening at the end
of February, one that Dykes was pleased with afterward. Cal's players are
learning an entirely new system, so Dykes acknowledged there will be some
mistakes. But for a first practice, it was encouraging.
"I was pleasantly surprised," Dykes said. "I thought the
energy was good. The attitude was good. There are going to be a million
mistakes, but for the first day, I thought it was good. I was really pleased."
There will be a new starting quarterback behind center for
the Bears in 2013 after the departure of two-year starter Zach Maynard. Monday,
Kline, Hinder and senior Allan Bridgford took all of the reps, but Dykes said
others, such as sophomore Kyle Boehm and true freshman Jared Goff, will get
reps during Cal's next practice session on Wednesday.
"All I know is all these guys are studs," Kline said. "I'm
just trying to compete and do my best. It's going to be a huge battle, that's
for sure. It's going to be an interesting spring."
