Arizona Visits as Bears Schedule Takes Turn to Tougher Opponents
By BRIAN BAINUM
Daily Cal Staff Writer
Cal football coach Jeff Tedford has said it over and over again-his team has yet to play to its potential in the first third of the season. One week, the Bears' special teams allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown and missed two field goals. Another week, quarterback Joe Ayoob did not complete a pass. Another week, Cal trailed by 10 points at halftime to an unranked opponent. And yet, the Bears certainly have not been tested in their first four games, winning by an average margin of 30 points. That could change Saturday, as No. 12 Cal plays host to a much-improved Arizona team at Memorial Stadium at 4 p.m. The Wildcats (1-2) fell to then-No. 12 Purdue 31-24 two weeks ago and also came up just short against Utah, 27-24, on Sept. 2. The Utes are not ranked this season, but they did beat Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl last year. The Bears' competition, meanwhile, has not been quite as tough. Sacramento State, Washington, Illinois and New Mexico State sport a combined record of 3-13. Of course, the soft schedule has its advantages.
It has allowed Ayoob to gain confidence, shown in his 17-for-26 performance last week against the Aggies. It has allowed starting tailback Marshawn Lynch to take his time in recovering from a broken little finger on his left hand that he suffered against the Huskies. It has also allowed some of Cal's untested talent to shine. Justin Forsett ran for a career-high 235 yards last week. On the other side of the ball, freshmen linebackers Anthony Felder and Zach Follett have made solid contributions. "Having nonconference games against not the best opponents-good opponents, but not the best-it helps you get that experience in before you get really tested in the Pac-10," Ayoob said. The Bears (4-0, 1-0 in the Pac-10) passed the test against Arizona last year, cruising to a 38-0 rout in Tucson. But the Wildcats return 17 starters, all of whom have one year of experience in second-year coach Mike Stoops' system. "They really do play with a passion and play together," Tedford said. "Their defense has always played physical. Their two losses were really close. They could easily be 3-0 right now." On paper, Cal's rushing attack appears to have a considerable advantage over the Arizona defense. The Bears boast the conference's top ground game, averaging an outstanding 275.8 yards per game. The Wildcats surrender 202 yards per game, placing them dead last in the Pac-10. "I'm displeased so far with our run defense," Stoops said. "Obviously, we have to do better in that area if we want to compete this week." Cal's advantage on the ground probably will not extend to the air, though. The Bears rank ninth in the conference in passing, while Arizona boasts the Pac-10's top pass defense.
Against New Mexico State, Ayoob's favorite target was freshman wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson had a breakout game, hauling in nine balls for 130 yards last week. He caught a 31-yard touchdown, but the majority of his catches were short passes and wide receiver screens, which allowed the Long Beach Poly product to gain yards after the catch. "Joe is getting a lot more comfortable, and that is making me more comfortable with him, knowing the balls are going to be closer," Jackson said. Jackson might see more passes thrown his way this week, due to the ankle injury fellow wideout Lavelle Hawkins sustained last week. If Hawkins is unable to play, sophomore Sam DeSa will fill in, Tedford said. Injuries have also hit the Cal offensive line and rushing attack, but things appear to be on the mend. Left tackle Andrew Cameron and right guard Aaron Merz will play Saturday after missing two games due to concussions. Lynch will also see the field, after sitting out the past two contests.
Cal football 2005: Arizona vs. Cal
Kickoff: Cal takes on Arizona tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
TV: TBS
Radio: KGO 810 AM
The Opponent: The Wildcats (1-2) dropped their last game to Purdue, 31-24.
Series: The series is tied 11-11. The Bears beat Arizona 38-0 last season in Tucson.
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