By Greg Beacham, Associated Press | September 23, 2005
BERKELEY, Calif. -- Justin Forsett and Marcus O'Keith could find plenty of reasons to feel frustrated. They both went to California expecting to be the next 1,000-yard running back in the Golden Bears' long line, only to see Marshawn Lynch cut to the head of the queue. But even though they're behind Lynch on the 13th-ranked Bears' depth chart, Forsett and O'Keith remain committed to Cal. Both would rather be reserves on a winning team than stars on a losing one -- and while Lynch has struggled with a broken finger in recent weeks, the backups have shown their stuff. ''It would be tough if you were behind a bad guy," said Forsett, a sophomore who chose Cal after Notre Dame backed out of a scholarship offer. ''Sometimes you get a guy that has a lot of ego, but all the guys we've got at our position are great guys. We're all friends, all really tight. That makes it so much more fun to go out and practice and play." All three tailbacks have taken turns rushing for more than 100 yards in each of the Bears' three victories this season, which continues at New Mexico State tonight. Cal has had a 100-yard rusher in 15 straight games dating to the opener of last season, when J.J. Arrington had the first of 12 straight 100-yard games. Lynch, a sophomore who had an impressive freshman season behind Arrington, ran for 147 yards in Cal's opening win over Sacramento State, but broke his finger against Washington a week later.
O'Keith, a junior, finished off the Huskies with 103 yards on six carries. Forsett got his chance to be the featured back last week against Illinois and rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. With O'Keith also chipping in for two scores on the Illini, Lynch's backups accounted for all four of the Bears' TDs
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