Cal QB Sagapolutele Out vs Virginia Tech With Concussion — SkimNews
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- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will not play vs Virginia Tech on Saturday after entering concussion protocol from a hit to the head during last week's UNLV game; he was medically cleared to return but coach Tosh Lupoi said he was not comfortable sending him back in.
- Jackson Brousseau, a Colorado State transfer, will replace Sagapolutele after throwing for 200 yards on 19-of-32 passing with two touchdowns in relief vs UNLV.
- Cal safety Kingston Lopa will also miss Saturday's game with a concussion; he had an FBS-leading five interceptions and a team-high 29 tackles through his first four games.
- Sagapolutele has thrown for 1,180 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions on 65.2% passing this season as a sophomore.
- Cal will have a new offensive playcaller after Lupoi stripped OC duties from Jordan Somerville during the UNLV loss; passing game coordinator Pat McCann, a former Fresno State OC who oversaw the Mountain West's No. 2 passing offense in 2023, takes over.
- Running back Adam Mohammed, a Washington transfer, has been ruled out for a second straight game after rushing for 336 yards and three touchdowns on 73 carries while catching 17 passes for 168 yards and another score.
Why it matters: Cal loses its starting quarterback and FBS interception leader simultaneously, forcing backup Jackson Brousseau into the lineup while Lupoi overhauls the offensive staff after the Somerville hire from Tampa Bay produced an offense that has struggled against FBS competition — a multi-front reset happening mid-season against a Power-conference opponent.
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