If needed, QB Reilly will play

Concerned about No. 1 quarterback Ikaika Woolsey’s health, coach Norm Chow said he was prepared to start a once fourth-string quarterback against San Diego State this past Saturday.

"Very, very much so," said Chow, referring to the possibility of opening with Beau Reilly. "Beau is a neat kid."

Woolsey, who had practiced sparingly because of a bruised tailbone, completed 17 of 31 passes for 174 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown on a Hail Mary throw. He was intercepted twice.

Chow said there will not be any personnel changes on offense for this Saturday’s game against Nevada. That means Woolsey, if healthy, will make his sixth start of the season.

Chow praised Woolsey’s grittiness, but cautioned the sophomore quarterback needed to improve his play selection.

"That’s his problem," Chow said. "He has to get the ball to the right guys."

In the fourth quarter, Woolsey overthrew wideout Quinton Pedroza on a deep route. Two plays later, on fourth-and-10, Chow called the same play. This time, Woolsey completed a 12-yard pass to slotback Scott Harding on an out route for a first down.

"He needs to throw the ball to the guy who’s open," Chow said, noting on the fourth-down play, "I called the same play I called two plays earlier because he missed Scott Harding. That was the No. 1 read, not the deep ball to Quinton Pedroza."

Chow added: "We’re going to get this thing worked out."

Chow said Woolsey, when healthy, has the skills and comprehension to be the No. 1 quarterback. Still, Chow said, "I feel badly I didn’t get Beau reps."

Reilly was the quarterback on the first-team offense during practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday leading to the SDSU game. During the 40-minute practice on Friday, Woolsey took the majority of the first-team reps. That night it was decided Woolsey would start, a decision reinforced when Woolsey felt no serious discomfort on game day.

Chow said Reilly was held out because of the way the game progressed and not to preserve his redshirt status. Reilly would forfeit a chance to redshirt if he appeared in a game this season.

"He’s not redshirting," Chow said. "We have six more games to go. He knows that."

During a coaching career spanning more than 40 years, Chow said, "I’ve never started a fourth-string quarterback."

After quarterbacks Jeremy Higgins and Taylor Graham suffered season-ending injuries, Reilly ascended to No. 2. Reilly opened the season on the scout team. Two weeks ago, he was taking mental reps as the No. 3 quarterback in practices.

But Chow said Reilly has the "maturity" to handle extended playing time. Reilly, 22, initially signed with Colorado State before going on a two-year church mission. After returning last year, he secured a release from CSU, then signed with the Warriors in April.

If needed, Chow said, Reilly will play.

"We’re trying to win the damn game," Chow said.