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

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

“Sources: Cal starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza will not play at No. 9 SMU today due to an 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.”

Coming into 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 previously played for Louisiana-Monroe and North Texas over the last three years.

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

Fernando Mendoza out vs. SMU

With Mendoza out, Cal will turn to the 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 upon a successful first year in the ACC.

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

“I mean, it doesn’t have anything to do with this season, although this season’s awesome,” he said. “It’s the vision. It’s what we all knew could happen. It’s happening pretty quick. And by no means do we think if it’s happened once, that’s just going to be easy to continue to duplicate. But we want to be here. So that was never a doubt. Really thankful to Dr. Turner and Rick Hart and our entire board of trustees, Bill’s in here right now, and Bill and Liz, and David Miller, and everyone just for wanting us to be here. That’s our deal. If we’re wanted, we want to be here. And our kids are happy. I’m happy.”

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