Justin Wilcox shared how quarterback Sam Jackson V was doing after suffering an injury and being replaced in the season opener. Cal beat North Texas 58-21 on Saturday to begin the 2023 season.

Jackson left the game with an upper-body injury in the first half. Before his exit, Jackson totaled 33 passing yards and a touchdown on 3-of-4 passing. He also ran for 18 yards on three carries.

Wilcox said Cal was waiting for more information regarding the severity of Jackson’s, but assured that Jackson will be pushing to return to the field sooner rather than later.

Jackson transferred over from TCU this offseason after spending two seasons in Fort Worth.

Jackson was a former 4-star QB out of the 2021 class. The 247Sports Composite rated him as the No. 32 QB and No. 7 Illinois prospect in his class.

The good news for Cal is that the offense thrived in Jackson’s absence. The Golden Bears accounted for 669 total yards of offense on Saturday.

NC State transfer Ben Finley stepped in and helped guide the team to a win while completing 24 of his 34 pass attempts for 279 yards and a touchdown.

Cal faces Auburn next on Sept. 9 in Berkeley.