By Jay Heater
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The biggest question emerging from Cal's 41-13 victory over 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 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 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 and finished with 235 yards. It was the fourth-best rushing performance in Cal history. ``It's awesome, a blessing,'' said Forsett, who carried 31 times. ``Our receivers were down field blocking their tails off. And I had big holes.'' Forsett, who also gained 21 yards on pass receptions, wasn't the only Cal offensive player piling up stats. Freshman wide receiver DeSean Jackson had seven catches and 107 yards receiving by halftime and finished with nine catches for a season-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's Thomas Schneider missed a 40-yard field-goal 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,'' Cal defensive end Nu'u Tafisi said. ``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 Friday was more workmanlike than spectacular.
New Mexico State came into the game averaging only 28.7 yards rushing, but Aggies running back Justine Buries rushed for 107 yards. Making the outing more worrisome for Tedford was the fact injuries continue to plague the Bears. Starting 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. Hawkins' 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 had a solid outing, passing for 284 yards and one touchdown, with 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 Pacific-10 Conference 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,'' Cal center Marvin Philip said. ``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 because of injuries. Despite the problems, the game never was in doubt.
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