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Offensive consistency was the focus when the Cal football team participated in a 90-play scrimmage on Saturday morning, and though projected starting quarterback Kyle Boller had a strong outing in the air, it was the productive ground game that drew the most attention. 

Both Joes – Igber and Echema – were better than average in the Bears’ backfield, combining for 174 yards on just 22 carries. Igber broke off runs of 27 and 31 yards on the way to averaging almost eight yards per carry, while Echema averaged 8.1 on nine attempts.  

Igber suffered a knee sprain near the end of the scrimmage, and did not return to action. Though the injury is apparently not serious, the running back is expected to sit out for the remaining weeks of spring practice, which concludes on April 29. 

Boller’s outing served to allay the coaching staff’s fears regarding his shoulder injury, which is apparently no longer hindering the slinger’s distance or accuracy. Boller tossed three touchdown passes of 60-plus yards on Saturday, including a 70-yarder to running back-turned-slot receiver Marcus Fields.  

“We showed a little spark on offense, and that’s encouraging,” Cal head coach Tom Holmoe said after the scrimmage. “We’re emphasizing getting the ball in the hands of our playmakers, and that seemed to click today.”