Ross Bowers, Chase Forrest vie for Cal’s backup QB job

In addition to landing an NFL-caliber starter, Cal added someone capable of pushing the other quarterbacks.

With Webb officially named the starter Thursday, sophomore Chase Forrest and redshirt freshman Ross Bowers turn their focus to competing for the backup job.

Though he might not have Bowers’ arm strength, the former two-star recruit stays calm under pressure and works through his reads quickly.

In 23 games for Texas Tech, where the spread offense resembles what Spavital runs, he threw for 5,557 yards, 46 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

Webb was named 2013 Holiday Bowl MVP after passing for 403 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in a win over Arizona State.

Defensive end Noah Westerfield, who suffered a sprained ankle in practice Wednesday, was in a boot on the sideline Thursday.

The play of the practice Thursday was Webb’s 70-yard touchdown pass to Chad Hansen.