Last night five-star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele made his college football debut for the California Golden Bears.

Unfortunately for some it was one of the late games on Saturday so those on the East Coast may have missed his first collegiate action. Sagapolutele was impressive and interestingly enough his best throws were likely ones that were not completed.With a great start to his career in a Bears uniform The Inscriber Magazine will now take a look at notable California quarterbacks and how their starting debuts went.

Note this is for quarterbacks who threw for 25 or more touchdowns. There are some notable names where the box score information was not available and includes Rich Campbell, Gale Gilbert, Troy Taylor, Dave Barr, Mike Pawalawski, and Pat Barnes.

1962: Craig Morton

He made his first career start for California against Penn State, and he completed 20 of 28 passes for 274 yards. The legendary Marv Levy was his head coach.

1997: Justin Vedder 

Got off to a strong start to open the season against the Houston Cougars. He was efficient completing 24 of 31 passes for 321 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Wide receiver Bobby Shaw was unstoppable that day as he caught 11 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Kofi Nartey was their second leading receivers with four catches for 53 yards.

1999: Kyle Boller

In a 24-23 victory over Arizona State Boller completed 17 of 32 passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. His favorite target was wide receiver Michael Ainsworth who finished with 11 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. Running back Marcus Fields caught three passes for 42 yards and the other touchdown.

2003: Aaron Rodgers

Made his first start against Illinois. He completed 20 of 37 passses for 263 yards and a touchdown. The leading receivers for California were Geoff McArthur who caught 10 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown and Jonathan Makonnen four catches for 68 yards.

2005: Nate Longshore 

Unfortunately for Longshore his season ended due to a fractured fibula that he suffered against Sacramento State. At the time he completed eight of 11 passes for 131 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

2007: Kevin Riley

Unfortunately Longshore found himself injured again. The Bears were the no.2 in the country at the time and Riley a freshman made a gamble that did not pay off resulting in a three point loss to the Oregon State Beavers.

Riley finished the game completing 20 of 34 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. His favorite receiver was Lavelle Hawkins who caught 9 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown.

2011: Zach Maynard

Maynard transferred to California from the University of Buffalo. He made his debut against the Fresno State Bulldogs and completed 16 of 35 passes for 266 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Also, he was the second leading rusher with 52 yards on six carries.

His two favorite targets were Marvin Jones who led the way with five catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns and Keenan Allen who is the half-brother of Maynard caught eight passes for 112 yards.

2013: Jared Goff

Made his freshman debut against Northwestern. He threw for 450 yards and two touchdowns yet was picked off three times. His favorite targets were Chris Harper who caught 11 passes for 148 yards and the two touchdowns and Bryce Treggs who caught 13 passes for 145 yards.

2016: Davis Webb

Arguably the greatest first start in California history. He completed 38 of 54 passes for 441 yards and four touchdowns. The leading receivers were Chad Hansen who had 14 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns, Melquise Stovall four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown, Bug Rivera caught five passes for 54 yards, and Jordan Veasy caught two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown.

2018: Chase Garbers

Against BYU he finished as the second leading rusher for California with 45 yards on five carries, he also completed 18 of 28 passes for 171 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. His favorite targets were Kanawai Noa who caught eight passes for 98 yards and a touchdown and running back Patrick Laird who caught seven passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.

California’s offense was limited as Garbers did not possess a strong arm.

2023: Fernando Mendoza 

Got his first career start against the Beavers. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 207 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Taj Davis led the Bears in receiving with seven catches for 69 yards, tight end Jack Endries caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, and running back Isaiah Ifanse’s only reception was one for a touchdown.

2025: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele 

Only the second true freshman to start for California. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 30 yards on two carries. Trond Grizzell led the way with five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown, Mason Mini caught four passes for 33 yards and a touchdown, and Landon Morris caught two passes for 20 yards and a touchdown.