ANG Newspapers: It's 'Mbakogu Time' for hobbled Cal vs. Illini

By Dave Newhouse, STAFF WRITER 

BERKELEY — This is Phillip Mbakogu's time for a breakout game. But this anticipated moment for him comes during a crisis as mounting injuries pose a danger to Cal. Therefore, backup relief is crucial.

The Golden Bears are a three-touchdown favorite over Illinois today in this intersectional game between 2-0 teams, but that margin seems meaningless now that five Cal starters may not play.  Star running back Marshawn Lynch (broken finger) will be inactive, and two-fifths of Cal's talented offensive line — center Marvin Philip (sprained ankle) and guard Aaron Merz (mild concussion) — will be game-time decisions.  If all three don't play, it puts more pressure on Cal's defense, and greater emphasis on Mbakogu (pronounced Em-bako), who replaces Tosh Lupoi (sprained knee) at one end.  "I get an opportunity to show what I can do," said Mbakogu, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound sophomore from Hayward. "All the time I've been practicing, I get my shot right now."  Coach Jeff Tedford envisions in Mbakogu the next Andre Carter. Carter and Mbakogu came to Cal as heralded players nationally. Carter'snow with the San Francisco 49ers, and Mbakogu has that same potential.  At Hayward High, he was rated the fourth best strong-side defensive end in America by Rivals.com, the state's third-best player by SuperPrep and the nation's 22nd-best player by PrepStar.  He played in six Cal games last year as a true freshman, making three tackles. It took Carter until his junior year to become a bona fide pass rusher from the outside. Tedford hopes Mbakogu is ahead of that pace. "He's learning all the time, playing hard," Tedford said. "I'm anxious to see him play a little bit more now. We'll find out in the game how he's improved. I think he's ready to show what  he's got."

Mbakogu has two tackles this year, including one sack, plus a fumble recovery. He sees progress in his development.  “My biggest growth has been my feet and just fine-tuning little things," he said. "It has taken a little longer than I thought, but it's whoever is ready to play. And when you get there (the quarterback), get there."  Today that quarterback will be Tim Brasic, who has completed 73.2 percent of his passes, including three for touchdowns and three interceptions. He has been sacked three times.  "I like to go out and get after it," Mbakogu said. "I'm an all-around player, but I feel I can get better. I'm anxious to see where it takes me in a couple of years."  Mbakogu was asked if he would be able to sleep Friday night.  "I have ice through my veins," he said Thursday. "I'm just getting ready for the game like I usually do. I'll just get out there and play, and have fun."  Cal also will be missing starting linebacker Greg Van Hoesen. His place will be taken by two players: redshirt freshman Worrell Williams and true freshman Anthony Felder.  The team's most pronounced injury has been quarterback Nate Longshore's broken leg. Joe Ayoob replaced him, and after a rough 0-for-10 outing against Sacramento State, he was 17-for-27 for four touchdowns at Washington, with Robert Jordan catching three of his scoring tosses.