Fernando Mendoza update: Surprising decision made on Cal QB status vs. SMU

On By Littum

Cal QB Fernando Mendoza does not play Saturday against SMU in the regular season finale due to illness, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

“Sources: Cal starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza won’t play at No. 9 SMU today due to illness,” Thamel wrote on Twitter. “Back up Chandler Rogers will get the start for the Bears. Mendoza has thrown for 3,004 yards for Cal this year.”

Entering the game, Mendoza had 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 68.7% completion percentage. He also had 105 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Rogers is in his first season with Cal, having played for Louisiana-Monroe and North Texas over the past three years.

In his career, Rogers has 7,129 yards, 53 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and a 63.9% completion percentage. He will have to step up in a big way without Mendoza, who will miss his first game of the season.

Fernando Mendoza out vs. SMU

With Mendoza out, Cal will turn to veteran Rogers against the Mustangs. SMU looks to solidify their College Football Playoff positioning with another win.

SMU is already in the ACC Championship Game and will await Clemson or Miami next week. Head coach Rhett Lashlee recently signed a contract extension with the school after a successful first year in the ACC.

Now the Mustangs can finish 11-1 on the season and can have a bigger advantage without having to face Mendoza.

“I mean, it has nothing to do with this season, even though this season is great,” he said. “That’s the vision. That’s what we all knew could happen. It’s happening pretty quickly. And by no means do we think that if it’s happened once, it’s just going to be easy to keep duplicating. But we want to So there was never any doubt about that. Really grateful to Dr. Turner and our whole board, Bill and Liz, and everyone just for wanting us to to be here It’s our deal if we is wanted, we want to be here, and our children are happy.”

Now without Mendoza, Cal will take on a hot SMU team at 3:30 PM ET on the road.