By Jay Heater
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The biggest question emerging from Cal's 41-13 victory over host New Mexico State on Friday night wasn't whether the Bears would win the game, but whether the Bears can develop into one of the nation's top teams.
Jeff Tedford's 13th-ranked Bears (4-0) dominated the winless Aggies (0-4) of the Western Athletic Conference but didn't look real sharp doing it. "Each game we learn new things," Tedford said. "By no means has this team come close to its potential. We have to be more disciplined. We have a lot to learn." Perhaps the Bears, who had amassed 357 yards by halftime, just had it too easy early. They blew open huge holes for tailback Justin Forsett, who gained 114 yards in the first quarter alone and finished with 235 yards. It was the fourth-best rushing performance in Cal history. "It's awesome ... a blessing," said Forsett, who carried 30 times. "Our receivers were downfield blocking their tails off. And I had big holes. (Offensive tackle) Ryan O'Callaghan could have gotten in there and taken it to the house." Forsett, who also gained 21 yards on pass receptions, wasn't the only Cal offensive player piling up stats. Bears freshman wide receiver DeSean Jackson had seven catches and 107 yards receiving by halftime and he finished with nine catches for a career-best 130 yards. It looked like the Bears could score at will.
They just didn't. Part of Cal's woes could be attributed to a crummy night in its kicking game. New Mexico State blocked an extra point attempt and a field goal attempt. Cal place-kicker Tom Schneider missed a 40-yard attempt wide left just before halftime. "You can't afford to make mistakes anywhere," Tedford said. "When we play games close, those kinds of things will hurt you." Cal's defense had its own troubles despite not allowing an offensive touchdown. The Bears just couldn't manage many three-and-outs against the Aggies' spread offense. "It was different, playing a three-man defensive front against them," said Cal defensive end Nu'u Tafisi. "I know as a whole team that we have great potential. We want to grow, and when we do play as a team, you're going to see something spectacular." Cal's effort was more workmanlike than spectacular.
New Mexico State came into the game averaging only 28.7 yards a game rushing, but Aggies running back Justine Buries rushed for 107 yards. Buries was the first runner to break the 100-yard mark against Cal since Arizona State's Hakim Hill rushed for 104 yards against the Bears in the seventh game of 2004. Making the outing more worrisome for Tedford was the fact injuries continue to plague the Bears. Starting wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins hurt his ankle making a 33-yard catch in the fourth quarter. Hawkins was taken for X-rays and his status was uncertain. His catch keyed an 80-yard touchdown drive, capped by quarterback Joe Ayoob's 7-yard bootleg, that gave the Bears a 34-13 lead and pretty much ended the Aggies' hopes. Ayoob ran for three touchdowns. Ayoob had a solid outing with 284 yards passing one touchdown pass and no interceptions. "We know that an effort like this won't get it done against a lot of teams," Ayoob said. "But we have good game plans. It's just a matter of execution." Cal tacked on a 2-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run by backup tailback Terrell Williams.
The softest part of Cal's schedule is history. The Bears will be going into their second Pac-10 game next Saturday at home against Arizona with an inexperienced team that appears to be its own worst enemy at times. Cal had several needless penalties and various mental mistakes. "We're a young team, as you can tell," said Cal senior center Marvin Philip. "We're slowly getting there. Everyone knows we are way better than what we have shown." It can't help that Tedford's staff has to keep shuffling new starters into the lineup due to injuries. Despite the problems, the game never was in doubt.
Cal rolled up 249 yards of total offense in the first quarter as it built a 20-10 lead. The Bears bogged down a bit in the second quarter until Ayoob scored on a 5-yard quarterback draw to put the Bears ahead 27-10 with 2:00 left until halftime.
The Bears had another chance to add to their lead before intermission when cornerback Daymeion Hughes intercepted a Joey Vincent pass and returned it 59 yards to the Aggies' 16. However, two incompletions, an encroachment penalty and a 2-yard loss on a sack moved the ball back to the 23. Schneider lined up for a 40-yard field goal attempt, and following three consecutive timeouts by Aggies coach Hal Mumme, missed it wide left. Tedford couldn't have been too pleased at halftime. Although the Aggies didn't score an offensive touchdown -- Chris Williams returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter -- they did pile up 226 yards of total offense. New Mexico State place-kicker Conor Foley couldn't convert 42- and 38-yard field goal attempts in the second quarter. Cal's Thomas DeCoud blocked the 38-yarder and Foley simply blew the other attempt. Cal also hurt itself with some poor decisions. After scoring on a 41-yard pass from Ayoob in the first quarter, Jackson celebrated in the end zone with teammate Robert Jordan, a move that drew a 15-yard penalty on the ensuing kickoff. Instead of David Lonie's kickoff sailing to the back of the end zone, Williams' fielded it and returned it 94 yards for the touchdown.
Notes: Chris Williams' kickoff return for a touchdown was the first against Cal since Arizona State's Brian Singleton returned a kick 85 yards in 1995. ... Cal tailback Marshawn Lynch had a wrap about the size of a bedroom pillow to protect the broken bone in his left hand. However, Lynch never made it into the game. ... Not having many fans in the seats at Aggie Memorial Stadium has its benefits. The New Mexico State marching band plays from the top of the stadium before the game. ... Cal freshman defensive back Bernard Hicks played on Friday night after being suspended the first two games.
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