Cal QB Fernando Mendoza will not play against on Saturday SMU will miss 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. “Support Chandler Rogers will be the starting signal for the Bears. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards for Cal this year.”

Entering the game, Mendoza had 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 68.7% completion rate. He also had 105 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Rogers is in his first season at Cal after previously playing for Louisiana-Monroe and North Texas the past three years.

For his career, Rogers has rushed for 7,129 yards, 53 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and a 63.9% completion rate. Without Mendoza missing his first game of the season, he needs to make a lot of progress.

Fernando Mendoza is out against SMU

With Mendoza out, Cal will turn to the experienced Rogers against the Mustangs. SMU looks to solidify its position in the College Football Playoff with another win.

SMU is already in the ACC Championship Game and will wait on Clemson or Miami next week. Head coach Rhett Lashlee recently signed a contract extension with the school after a successful first year in the ACC.

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

“I mean it has nothing to do with this season, even though this one is great,” he said. “It’s the vision. We all knew this could happen. It’s pretty quick. And we by no means believe that once it has happened, it will be easy to continue to duplicate it. But we want to be here. So there was never any doubt about that. I am really grateful for Dr. Turner and Rick Hart and our entire board of trustees, Bill is here right now, and Bill and Liz and David Miller and everyone, just for wanting us here. That’s our deal. If we are wanted, we want to be here. And our children are happy. I’m happy.”

Without Mendoza, Cal will face a hot SMU team on the road at 3:30 p.m. ET.