Aug 23, 2018 3 min read

CALIFORNIA – The decision has been made, a quarterback has been chosen, and a bit of history has been made at California University.

For the first time in 14 years, a true freshman, Noah Mitchell, will begin the football season as the starting quarterback of the Vulcans.

Mitchell, a 6-4, 210-pounder from Euclid, Ohio, will be the first freshman to start a game since Joe Ruggiero did it in 2004. Ruggiero passed for 779 yards and seven touchdowns in just three games before breaking his leg in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division game at Clarion.

Ruggiero went on to a hall of fame career at Cal, passing for 7,462 passing yards and 67 touchdown passes. He was enshrined into Cal’s hall of fame this spring.

Mitchell’s first varsity game snap is Thursday at Ohio Dominican. Kickoff in Columbus is at 7 p.m.

“I’ll have some nerves but that’s only natural,” Mitchell said. “After the first hit, they go away.”

Mitchell enrolled early at Cal, making him eligible for spring practice and the spring game. He played well but head coach Gary Dunn extended the battle into fall camp, where Mitchell also shined.

“Noah separated himself from the group,” said Dunn. “We feel like we have a lot of depth. Noah was able to get here and work out with the guys all winter long. He was able to go through 15 spring practices and was committed to staying here this summer. He put countless hours in learning the offense. He’s a freshman but it’s not like he’s a freshman because he’s been here for months learning our offense.”

“Being here for spring ball put me in this position to compete,” said Mitchell. “To be here and learn the offense, and staying over the summer was really important. It was a fight (to win the job). I feel like I’m still battling.”

Mitchell replaces the graduated Michael Keir, who passed for 3,332 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior. Keir led the Vulcans to a 9-3 record and a first-round appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Mitchell started the final 21/2 seasons at Euclid High School and led the team to the playoffs in his junior and senior seasons. He was named first-team all-state in 2016 and first-team all-district as a senior.

He was given the No. 5, which was a happy coincidence.

“I’m a Philadelphia Eagles fan,” he said. “No. 5, Donovan McNabb.”

Mitchell got a look at Cal’s campus even before he was recruited.

“My sister had volleyball tournaments here,” he said. “I was really comfortable when I saw it. I was so much more comfortable when I came for my senior visit. I could really see myself here.”