Bergquist gets another shot in British Columbia

In the high-stakes poker game that is professional football, former University of Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist went all in … and lost. But unlike many a gambler, Bergquist earned a second chance.

A few months ago, the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League began to covet the 6-foot-2, 220-pound native of San Clemente, Calif. Until two weeks ago, Bergquist’s agent Mike Bernstein and the B.C. Lions had a contract on the table awaiting the quarterback’s signature. But an outside shot at earning an invite to a NFL mini-camp caused Bergquist to bet the house. The fourth-leading passer in Montana history left the contract unsigned.

As the NFL draft came and went last weekend and Thursday (the day rookies report to obligatory rookie mini-camp) approached with no offers on the table, Bergquist felt as if his gamble had closed all doors.
“Hindsight is 20/20, but if I could do it all over again, I would have gone to B.C. a long time ago,” Bergquist said. “I almost had my heart set to go there and give up my dreams in the NFL. But I had to roll the dice and give the NFL a shot.”

But all was not lost. B.C. still had interest in Bergquist, so on Wednesday, the quarterback boarded a plane to Seattle. From there, he drove a rental car to Vancouver before reporting to free agent camp Thursday at 10 a.m. for a workout in front of team personnel and about 50 members of the media.

Lions head coach Wally Buono, whose 227 wins are second all-time in CFL history, said B.C.’s fondness for the former Grizzly was not a factor in rescinding the contract offer.

“It was simply a matter of timing,” Buono said. “He was a guy we had interest in and still have interest in.”

Bergquist’s workout consisted of running a 40, performing a shuttle run, throwing with wide receivers and doing some one-on-one drills. The majority of the Lions players were present to watch or participate.

Thursday was the first experience the quarterback had ever had on a Canadian-size field or with throwing a CFL football, but nonetheless, his 4.75 time in the 40 and his arm strength impressed Buono and his staff.

“Cole is a good athlete,” Buono said. “He can make all the throws. He has some mobility. He has some athleticism that we think could make him successful.”

B.C. has several more free agent camps in coming weeks. They also have three veteran quarterbacks under contract. Last season’s starter, Guy Pierce, returns. So do back-ups Jarius Jackson and Zac Champion. Buono said he anticipates watching at least a dozen quarterbacks work out in coming weeks, but the Lions are always in the market for an upgrade.

“We are hoping the guy we bring in can beat one of the guys out because you are always trying to improve yourself,” Buono said.

Bergquist, who led Montana to a 14-2 record and a runner-up finish in the FCS Championship last December, just may have a leg up on the competition. Buono, who has won four Grey Cup Championships in his illustrious career, is no stranger to Montana quarterbacks.

“(Bergquist) comes from a program we have a high value for,” Buono said. “Montana has always had a very successful college program. Dave Dickenson has played for me for many years whether it be in Calgary or B.C. We like the type of quarterbacks and the type of players in general from Montana.”

Dickenson was on the 1998 Calgary team that won the Grey Cup as well as a member of the 2006 CFL champion Lions.

There was an outside shot for Bergquist to go heads up with an old nemesis, but the timing was a little off. Travis Lulay, a four-year starter at quarterback for Montana State from 2003-2006, was unable to make it to Vancouver on Thursday but will work out for the Lions on Saturday. Lulay was 2-2 against Montana during his Bobcat career, including 1-2 against Bergquist head-to-head.

But Bergquist said that was the farthest thing from his mind regardless of whether Lulay was there or not.

“We are on a different level now,” Bergquist said. “I don’t think it will be a Cat-Griz thing. We are both going to give it our best. My only goal is to make a team.”

The Lions said they would let Bergquist know within the week if they are still interested. The quarterback knows this situation could have been averted had he simply signed the initial offer months ago.

But quarterback is a gambler’s position by nature. Big rewards take big risks, and Bergquist wanted to leave no opportunity unexplored.

“I love having another opportunity to play in B.C.,” Bergquist said. “I love the city of Vancouver, I love the winning tradition they have. If it doesn’t work out, it wasn’t meant to be, but at least I’ll have no regrets.”

colter.nuanez@umontana.edu