Boller Picks Himself Up, Helps Cal Down UCLA

When you play an 18-year-old freshman quarterback with uncommon skills, there will be ups and downs. Coach Tom Holmoe of California understands the risks of Kyle Boller’s on-the-job training.

On Saturday at the Rose Bowl, Boller tested Holmoe’s patience. On California’s first offensive play, Boller’s pass was intercepted. The former Hart High star had two more passes intercepted.

He also threw a touchdown pass and made a couple of decisive plays in the Golden Bears’ 17-0 victory over UCLA.

“He reminds me of my children,” Holmoe said of Boller. “You love him a lot, but so many times they test your core and sometimes you have to get in his face. He comes back and comes back. He’s got a fire in him I love. You start screaming at him and he stares back at you, ‘Let me back in the game.’ ”

Boller was pulled for three plays in the fourth quarter after a delay of game penalty. He said his shoulder strap was loose but the coaches weren’t exactly pleased and wanted him to settle down.

He returned on third and 26 from the Cal 43 and hit Sean Currin on a 39-yard pass. It set up a 33-yard touchdown run by Saleem Muhammad for a 14-0 lead.

“On the one hand, you want to spank him,” Holmoe said. “On the other hand, you want to kiss him. We ended up kissing him.”

Boller completed nine of 20 passes for 113 yards. Dozens of fans from his Hart days were in the stands rooting for him.

The chance to play in the Rose Bowl and beat the team he once wanted to play for thrilled him.

“This is awesome,” he said. “I’m still blown away. To beat UCLA, the team I watched, is an unbelievable feeling.”

It was Boller’s fourth start for the Golden Bears, who are 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference.

“There’s a lot of times I make mistakes, but I’m glad they stick with me,” he said.