Cal Football: Brian Driscoll Named the Pac-12's Offensive Lineman of the Week

The junior began the game at left guard, moved to center and played 83 snaps in 58-21 win at North Texas.

Brian Driscoll began Saturday’s game at North Texas playing left guard then shifted to center when Matthew Cindric was injured.

Driscoll wound up playing 83 snaps and helped pave the way to Cal’s most prolific scoring game in eight years, a 58-21 season-opening victory at North Texas.

The redshirt junior from San Diego was cited for his efforts on Tuesday, named Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week.

Brian Driscoll / Photo courtesy of the Pac-12

A 6-foot-4, 320-pounder, Driscoll recorded the highest grade of any Cal offensive lineman in a game where the Bears rolled up 669 yards of offense (fifth-most in school history) and did not allow a sack.

Cal hasn’t scored more points since a 73-14 win over Grambling State in 2015, when the Bears’ quarterback was Jared Goff.

The Bears totaled 357 rushing yards — fourth-best in the country in Week 1 of the schedule — and 312 yards through the air, despite having to go to backup quarterback Ben Finley after starter Sam Jackson V was injured early in the second quarter.

The game marked just the second time in program history the Bears had more than 300 rushing and passing yards on the same day.

Driscoll, whose grandfather is Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Lance Alworth, started all 12 games last season, the first three at left guard then the final nine at center after Cindric suffered a season-ending injury.

Coach Justin Wilcox said Tuesday it’s unclear still whether Cindric will be available for Saturday night’s home opener against Auburn. Whether he's playing guard or center, Saturday will be Driscoll’s 26th game with the Golden Bears since arriving on campus in the fall of 2019.

Cover photo of Brian Driscoll blocking for Jaydn Ott by Al Sermeno, KLC fotos

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo