COLLEGE FOOTBALL REVIEW : CAL LUTHERAN : Uncertain Future Awaits Quarterback, Coach and Program

Jim Bees told reporters early this season that he resented being compared to Tom Bonds, who played quarterback at Cal Lutheran from 1984-87 and is the holder of 11 school records.

Based on his performance, Bees need not have worried.

Bees threw a school-record 21 interceptions, including 3 in Cal Lutheran’s 60-0 loss to Cal State Sacramento last week.

In Cal Lutheran’s last 2 games, in which the Kingsmen were outscored, 109-0, Bees completed 1 of 11 passes for minus-3 yards. On the season, he was 114 of 247 for 1,238 yards.

Bees’ future at Cal Lutheran is in doubt, however, but not because of his performance. The transfer from San Bernardino Valley might have exhausted his eligibility after missing the NCAA’s Oct. 15 deadline to file for hardship status.

Bees is eligible for hardship status because he attempted only 7 passes before suffering a shoulder injury last season. Despite missing the filing deadline, he can apply retroactively, according to Coach Bob Shoup.

Even if Bees is eligible next season, it is unlikely he would remain at quarterback. “At this point, I’m not sure if I want Bees back,” Shoup said.

Should he take anyone back?

The Kingsmen lost their last 8 games and finished 2-8, 0-6 in the Western Football Conference. Cal Lutheran has a WFC record of 2-21 since joining the conference in 1985.

The Kingsmen averaged only 52.7 rushing yards a game, last in the WFC. They averaged only 220.3 total yards a game.

Kingsmen quarterbacks threw 6 interceptions against Sacramento and Cal Lutheran compiled only 59 total yards in its worst outing of the season.

Wide receiver John Bankhead and linebacker Torii Lehr, both seniors, were Cal Lutheran’s 2 top players. Bankhead had 49 receptions for 734 yards and 5 touchdowns to lead the WFC in receiving. Lehr led the Kingsmen with 154 tackles.

Bees’ future is not all that’s in limbo. Cal Lutheran, which last month voted to become a member of the NCAA Division III Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in all sports, might not return to the WFC.

Cal Lutheran can either remain in the WFC or play as an independent until it eliminates all scholarships in accordance with Division III rules, which might take 3 years.

President Jerry Miller said the university would postpone its decision until after it hosts a meeting Dec. 1-2 of the WFC Executive Committee.

Shoup, who has compiled a 182-81-6 record as the only coach Cal Lutheran has had since it took up football in 1962, staunchly opposes remaining in the WFC without additional athletic scholarships. “I don’t see how we can be expected to compete in the WFC without scholarships,” he said.

In addition to losing scholarships, Cal Lutheran also could lose Shoup, who said that he will postpone his decision on whether he will return until after the American Football Coaches Assn. meeting Jan. 6-12.