The quarterback competition at Ventura College took a back seat this week when Ebahn Feathers, a transfer from Fresno State, returned home to the Central Valley because of a serious family issue.

"I don't know what's going to happen with Ebahn," said Ventura coach Steve Mooshagian. "No matter what he decides to do I'm going to support him... It's so unpredictable."

There is no schedule for his return.

"It's a day-to-day thing," said Mooshagian. "I'm not pushing him at all. Whatever happens, happens."

At least three local products signed as undrafted free agents after the conclusion of this weekends NFL Draft.

Former Grace Brethren High running back Chad Kackert, who played at New Hampshire, has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Former Hueneme High safety Josh Pinkard has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks, joining his USC coach Pete Carroll.

Former Moorpark High receiver Chastin West, who played at Fresno State, has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers.

In Saturday's paper, I wrote about the injury recovery of Fresno State safety Lorne Bell (Simi Valley). But Bell isn't the only local Bulldog coming back from a knee injury this season.

Junior wide receiver Chastin West (Moorpark) missed all of the 2007 season rehabbing, and was motivated to play against UCLA yesterday at the Rose Bowl.

One of the top receiving threats in Western Athletic Conference in 2006, West displayed his old form against the Bruins.

He caught five passes for 69 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown catch (as my colleague Joe informed earlier), in Fresno State's 36-31 victory played in front of a large collection of red-clad Bulldog fans.

Hitting him where it hurts: Another local was involved in a big play yesterday during the Stanford-Washington game.

Washington quarterback Jake Locker suffered a broken right thumb in a 35-28 loss and is out indefinitely.

Locker hurt the thumb while making a block on Stanford safety Sean Wiser (Oaks Christian) in the second quarter.

Golden moments: After spending a season behind a porous offensive line as a true freshman, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen (Oaks Christian) is beginning to show why he was such a heralded recruit.

In yesterday's 38-21 victory over Purdue, Clausen completed 20 of 35 passes for a career-high 275 yards and tied a career-high with three touchdown passes and no interceptions.

"Yeah, I played good out there," Clausen told reporters. "I was reading the coverages pretty good. I felt like I knew what to do coming into the game, and the coaches helped me and got me ready to go."

Victory party: I had a chance to talk with Oregon State sophomore linebacker Dwight Roberson (St. Bonaventure) on Friday - one day after Oregon State's upset of then top-ranked USC.

Roberson said the city of Corvallis was wild in celebration into the early morning hours and the atmosphere at the stadium during the game was electric.

Roberson, who finished with two tackles, said it felt great to be a part of the action in an upset of USC. In 2006, when the Beavers last shocked USC, Roberson was redshirting.