Nate Longshore
Encyclopedia
Nate Longshore is an arena football
quarterback
for the San Jose Sabercats
of the Arena Football League
. He played collegiately at California
, where he was a three year starter and led the Golden Bears to a share of the Pac-10 title in 2006.
, who left for the NFL, to be California's starting quarterback. Longshore's 2005 season ended in the season's first game with a fibula injury and ligament damage in his ankle against Sacramento State. Joe Ayoob
took over starting duties for Longshore.
named Longshore the starting quarterback the week leading up to Cal's season opener at Tennessee
. Coach Jeff Tedford
particularly liked Longshore's mental understanding of the game of football. Despite passing for only 85 yards in a lopsided loss to Tennessee and being replaced by Ayoob in the second half of the Tennessee game, Longshore remained the team's starter. He led the Bears to a 10-3 record, a share of the Pac-10 title for the first time since 1975, and a victory in the 2006 Holiday Bowl
. He was named the co-offensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl alongside running back Marshawn Lynch
Longshore was particularly effective in his first full season as California's starting quarterback. He became the second quarterback in California school history to throw for 3,000 yards. He was second in the Pac-10 in passing touchdowns with 24 and second in passing efficiency at 141.6. He was an honorable mention Pac-10 honoree and earned various player of the week awards.
in California's close victory over Oregon. Longshore missed the Oregon State game, Cal's first loss. He returned to start the Bears' last six regular season games, but he and the Bears were not the same, winning only one game, against Washington State.
Longshore faltered badly over the second half of the season, throwing 11 interceptions compared to 9 touchdowns over the team's final six regular season games. His struggles were particularly apparent in the fourth quarter of close games where he threw several interceptions in critical game situations that prevented California from making comebacks. Longshore started for Cal at the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl
, but was replaced by backup Kevin Riley
in the second quarter, who finished the game and was named the game MVP in Cal's 42-36 victory over Air Force.
The extent to which the ankle injury affected Longshore's performance is uncertain. Some media reports and telecasts have noted the injury on several occasions, some saying it was causing him to limp, while others have claimed that the impact was mental.
After a difficult second year, Longshore was looking to 2008 as a fresh start. Coach Jeff Tedford
hinted that Longshore and Kevin Riley
, Longshore's primary competitor for the quarterback position, would play significant minutes leading into conference play.
On August 30, in Cal's season opener against the Michigan State Spartans
, Tedford inserted Longshore for two drives. Both resulted in interceptions, one of which was returned by the Spartans for a touchdown. By comparison, Riley, who quarterbacked for the rest of the game, completed 202 passing yards with two touchdown passes. Tedford announced on September 2 that Riley would be the starter and that Longshore would be the backup. Longshore saw playing time the following week on September 6 in Cal's 66-3 rout of Washington State
in Pullman, Washington
. He led the Bears in the third quarter and into the fourth, and passed for 53 yards.
Longshore saw playing time three weeks later on September 27 against the Colorado State Rams
, replacing a struggling Riley who had thrown for a touchdown and had one interception. Although Longshore's two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter came with the game's outcome beyond doubt in the Bears' 42-7 victory, Tedford reopened the quarterback competition for the following week against Arizona State
on October 4. Longshore won the starting job and played the entire game, throwing for 198 yards, including three touchdowns and one interception in the 24-14 victory. The game marked his first start since the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl.
Longshore started the next Cal game, an away game at Arizona
. He threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown early in the second half. He was replaced by Riley in the fourth quarter, who was unable to bring the Bears back from a 42-27 deficit. The starting quarterback spot reverted again to Riley the following week against UCLA
, who played the entire game in the 41-20 victory.
Riley also started the following week on November 1 against Oregon
, but sustained a concussion after being hit in the first quarter when he failed to slide while trying to gain a first down and did not return to the game. Longshore stepped in and led the Bears to a 26-16 upset over the #23 Ducks. Longshore started the following week against USC
, during which he threw two interceptions that were negated by penalties against the Trojans defense, although he did lead the Bears on their only scoring drive. He was replaced by Riley in the second half, who was unable to lead the Bears to an upset of the #6 Trojans.
Longshore did not see playing time again until the final regular season game of his college career on December 6 against the winless Washington Huskies
when he stepped in for Riley during the second and third quarters. He threw for 84 yards and his 50th career touchdown pass, which moved him up to fourth overall in touchdown passes. He was replaced in the fourth quarter by third string quarterback Brock Mansion when Cal began playing its backup players to give them some game experience. Longshore's final collegiate game came when he was picked to start for the 2008 Emerald Bowl
over Riley, his performances in practice and health being cited as factors. He passed for 121 yards and the game winning touchdown to freshman tight end Anthony Miller, moving him up to third place alongside Troy Taylor for career touchdown passes.
. In April 2009, Longshore was invited to try-out for the Cincinnati Bengals, but he decided to go to the Miami Dolphins instead; he was given a three-day rookie mini-camp. After the mini-camp, Longshore was not offered a contract.
In 2010, he took a position as an assistant football coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School
.
, graduated in April 2007. His younger brother Ben Longshore, was a senior quarterback at his alma mater, Canyon High School of Santa Clarita, California
, and walked on to Utah State as a freshman
in 2007 http://utahstateaggies.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/longshore_ben00.html.
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the San Jose Sabercats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
of the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
. He played collegiately at California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
, where he was a three year starter and led the Golden Bears to a share of the Pac-10 title in 2006.
High school
Longshore graduated from Canyon High School in 2004. He set ten school passing records and rang up 6,750 yards and 64 touchdown passes during his career. Rivals.com rated him the No. 8 "pro-style" quarterback in the nation and the 17th-best overall player in California.2005
After redshirting his freshman year, Longshore was chosen to succeed Aaron RodgersAaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
, who left for the NFL, to be California's starting quarterback. Longshore's 2005 season ended in the season's first game with a fibula injury and ligament damage in his ankle against Sacramento State. Joe Ayoob
Joe Ayoob
Joe Ayoob is an arena football Quarterback for the Tri-Cities Fever of af2. He was signed by the Central Valley Coyotes as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at California....
took over starting duties for Longshore.
2006
Longshore entered spring practice in 2006 in a heated battle for the starting quarterback job with veteran senior Joe Ayoob. During fall practice, head coach Jeff TedfordJeff Tedford
Jeff Tedford is an American football coach and the current head coach of the California Golden Bears football team, a position he has held since 2002. As a first-time head coach, Tedford has won wide acclaim for revitalizing the Cal football program...
named Longshore the starting quarterback the week leading up to Cal's season opener at Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
. Coach Jeff Tedford
Jeff Tedford
Jeff Tedford is an American football coach and the current head coach of the California Golden Bears football team, a position he has held since 2002. As a first-time head coach, Tedford has won wide acclaim for revitalizing the Cal football program...
particularly liked Longshore's mental understanding of the game of football. Despite passing for only 85 yards in a lopsided loss to Tennessee and being replaced by Ayoob in the second half of the Tennessee game, Longshore remained the team's starter. He led the Bears to a 10-3 record, a share of the Pac-10 title for the first time since 1975, and a victory in the 2006 Holiday Bowl
2006 Holiday Bowl
The 2006 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 28, 2006 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season and one of 32 games in the 2006-2007 bowl season. It featured the Texas A&M Aggies representing the Big 12 against the...
. He was named the co-offensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl alongside running back Marshawn Lynch
Marshawn Lynch
Marshawn Terrell Lynch is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, Lynch became the Bills' first 1,000-yard rookie rusher since Greg Bell in 1984...
Longshore was particularly effective in his first full season as California's starting quarterback. He became the second quarterback in California school history to throw for 3,000 yards. He was second in the Pac-10 in passing touchdowns with 24 and second in passing efficiency at 141.6. He was an honorable mention Pac-10 honoree and earned various player of the week awards.
2007
Longshore entered 2007 as the established starting quarterback. In the preseason, Longshore was rated as the No. 5 quarterback in the nation by The Sporting News and ESPN's Mel Kiper ranked him the 3rd best junior quarterback in the country. Longshore lead the Bears to 5-0 start and a number #2 ranking with wins against #15 Tennessee and #11 Oregon, but suffered a sprained right ankle that resulted in a bone spurBone spur
Osteophytes, commonly referred to as bone spurs, are bony projections that form along joint margins. They should not be confused with enthesophytes, which are bony projections which form at the attachment of a tendon or ligament.-Pathophysiology:...
in California's close victory over Oregon. Longshore missed the Oregon State game, Cal's first loss. He returned to start the Bears' last six regular season games, but he and the Bears were not the same, winning only one game, against Washington State.
Longshore faltered badly over the second half of the season, throwing 11 interceptions compared to 9 touchdowns over the team's final six regular season games. His struggles were particularly apparent in the fourth quarter of close games where he threw several interceptions in critical game situations that prevented California from making comebacks. Longshore started for Cal at the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl
2007 Armed Forces Bowl
The 2007 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on December 31, 2007, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, USA...
, but was replaced by backup Kevin Riley
Kevin Riley (quarterback)
Kevin Riley is a former American football quarterback for the California Golden Bears. He played for California from 2007-2010.-High school:...
in the second quarter, who finished the game and was named the game MVP in Cal's 42-36 victory over Air Force.
The extent to which the ankle injury affected Longshore's performance is uncertain. Some media reports and telecasts have noted the injury on several occasions, some saying it was causing him to limp, while others have claimed that the impact was mental.
2008
After a difficult second year, Longshore was looking to 2008 as a fresh start. Coach Jeff Tedford
Jeff Tedford
Jeff Tedford is an American football coach and the current head coach of the California Golden Bears football team, a position he has held since 2002. As a first-time head coach, Tedford has won wide acclaim for revitalizing the Cal football program...
hinted that Longshore and Kevin Riley
Kevin Riley (quarterback)
Kevin Riley is a former American football quarterback for the California Golden Bears. He played for California from 2007-2010.-High school:...
, Longshore's primary competitor for the quarterback position, would play significant minutes leading into conference play.
On August 30, in Cal's season opener against the Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans are the athletic team that represent Michigan State University. The school's athletic program includes 25 varsity sports teams. Their mascot is a Spartan warrior named Sparty, and the school colors are green and white...
, Tedford inserted Longshore for two drives. Both resulted in interceptions, one of which was returned by the Spartans for a touchdown. By comparison, Riley, who quarterbacked for the rest of the game, completed 202 passing yards with two touchdown passes. Tedford announced on September 2 that Riley would be the starter and that Longshore would be the backup. Longshore saw playing time the following week on September 6 in Cal's 66-3 rout of Washington State
2008 Washington State Cougars football team
The 2008 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach was Paul Wulff. It played its home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington...
in Pullman, Washington
Pullman, Washington
Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, Washington, United States. The population was 24,675 at the 2000 census and 29,799 according to the 2010 census...
. He led the Bears in the third quarter and into the fourth, and passed for 53 yards.
Longshore saw playing time three weeks later on September 27 against the Colorado State Rams
Colorado State Rams
Colorado State University competes in 16 sponsored intercollegiate sports, including 10 for women and six for men...
, replacing a struggling Riley who had thrown for a touchdown and had one interception. Although Longshore's two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter came with the game's outcome beyond doubt in the Bears' 42-7 victory, Tedford reopened the quarterback competition for the following week against Arizona State
2008 Arizona State Sun Devils football team
The 2008 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represents Arizona State University in the college football season of 2008-2009. It plays its home games at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona....
on October 4. Longshore won the starting job and played the entire game, throwing for 198 yards, including three touchdowns and one interception in the 24-14 victory. The game marked his first start since the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl.
Longshore started the next Cal game, an away game at Arizona
2008 Arizona Wildcats football team
The 2008 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach is Mike Stoops, in his fifth year at Arizona. They play their home games at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona and compete in the Pacific-10 Conference...
. He threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown early in the second half. He was replaced by Riley in the fourth quarter, who was unable to bring the Bears back from a 42-27 deficit. The starting quarterback spot reverted again to Riley the following week against UCLA
2008 UCLA Bruins football team
The UCLA Bruins football team opened the 2008 campaign by playing its first game at home against Tennessee under new head coach Rick Neuheisel, at 5:00 p.m. at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. The Bruins played six of the Top 25 teams in the 2007 final Associated Press rankings,...
, who played the entire game in the 41-20 victory.
Riley also started the following week on November 1 against Oregon
2008 Oregon Ducks football team
The 2008 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon in the college football season of 2008. This was the final season for Mike Bellotti as the Ducks' head coach; he was promoted to become the school's athletic director after the season. The Ducks played their home games at...
, but sustained a concussion after being hit in the first quarter when he failed to slide while trying to gain a first down and did not return to the game. Longshore stepped in and led the Bears to a 26-16 upset over the #23 Ducks. Longshore started the following week against USC
2008 USC Trojans football team
The 2008 University of Southern California Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the college football season of 2008–2009...
, during which he threw two interceptions that were negated by penalties against the Trojans defense, although he did lead the Bears on their only scoring drive. He was replaced by Riley in the second half, who was unable to lead the Bears to an upset of the #6 Trojans.
Longshore did not see playing time again until the final regular season game of his college career on December 6 against the winless Washington Huskies
2008 Washington Huskies football team
The 2008 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach was Tyrone Willingham. The Huskies played their home games at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington...
when he stepped in for Riley during the second and third quarters. He threw for 84 yards and his 50th career touchdown pass, which moved him up to fourth overall in touchdown passes. He was replaced in the fourth quarter by third string quarterback Brock Mansion when Cal began playing its backup players to give them some game experience. Longshore's final collegiate game came when he was picked to start for the 2008 Emerald Bowl
2008 Emerald Bowl
The 2008 Emerald Bowl, part of the 2008-09 NCAA football bowl games season, was played on December 27, 2008 at AT&T Park, the home field of the Giants in San Francisco, California...
over Riley, his performances in practice and health being cited as factors. He passed for 121 yards and the game winning touchdown to freshman tight end Anthony Miller, moving him up to third place alongside Troy Taylor for career touchdown passes.
Post-college career
Nate Longshore went undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. In April 2009, Longshore was invited to try-out for the Cincinnati Bengals, but he decided to go to the Miami Dolphins instead; he was given a three-day rookie mini-camp. After the mini-camp, Longshore was not offered a contract.
In 2010, he took a position as an assistant football coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Santa Margarita Catholic High School is a coeducational college preparatory Roman Catholic high school located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, United States. SMCHS was opened in the fall of 1987 under the direction of the Bishop of Orange...
.
San Jose Sabercats
Longshore signed with the Sabercats in February 2011 but did not make the team's final roster.Personal
Longshore is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father Todd Longshore died on April 24, 2006 of a blood clot. Older brother Nick Longshore, a former offensive lineman for Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
, graduated in April 2007. His younger brother Ben Longshore, was a senior quarterback at his alma mater, Canyon High School of Santa Clarita, California
Santa Clarita, California
Santa Clarita is the fourth largest city in Los Angeles County, California, United States and the twenty-fourth largest city in the state of California. The 2010 US Census reported the city's population grew 16.7% from the year 2000 to 176,320 residents. It is located about northwest of downtown...
, and walked on to Utah State as a freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
in 2007 http://utahstateaggies.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/longshore_ben00.html.
Passing
| Year | Team | G-GS | Comp-Att | Comp% | Yards | TD | INT | Long | Yds/G | QB Rtg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Cal California Golden Bears football The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to... |
1-1 | 8-11 | 72.7 | 131 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 131.0 | 184.6 |
| 2006 | Cal California Golden Bears football The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to... |
13-13 | 227-377 | 60.2 | 3,021 | 24 | 13 | 62 | 232.4 | 141.6 |
| 2007 | Cal California Golden Bears football The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to... |
12-12 | 230-384 | 59.9 | 2,580 | 16 | 13 | 49 | 215.0 | 123.3 |
| 2008 | Cal California Golden Bears football The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to... |
7-3 | 78-133 | 58.6 | 846 | 10 | 4 | 74 | 120.9 | 125.9 |
| Totals | 33-29 | 543-905 | 60.0 | 6,578 | 51 | 31 | 74 | 199.3 | 132.1 | |