Daily Cal: Will Play, May Not Start Against Wildcats

By BRIAN BAINUM

• After being sidelined for nearly 10 quarters with a broken little finger on his left hand, Marshawn Lynch will see playing time Saturday in the Cal football team's game against Arizona.

How much playing time, however, remains to be seen.  Bears coach Jeff Tedford confirmed the status of Lynch's health Tuesday at his weekly press conference.  "He will absolutely play," Tedford said. "How much? I don't know, we'll have to see how he practices through the week. He looked fairly fresh yesterday. It's nice to see him back running around out there."  Tedford did not say whether Lynch or fellow sophomore Justin Forsett will start Saturday.  Forsett, who rushed for a career-high 235 yards in Friday's win over New Mexico State, leads the team in rushing on the season with 511 yards. The sophomore's name is starting to appear on the national scene-he is averaging 8.2 yards per carry, a mark second only to Arkansas back Antonio Warren.  Forsett's 127.8 yards per game average places seventh in the nation as well.

• Tedford said offensive linemen Andrew Cameron and Aaron Merz have been cleared to play in Saturday's game versus the Wildcats.  The pair has missed the last two weeks due to concussions.  "They both dressed yesterday and practiced hard," Tedford said. "They felt fine afterwards."  Scott Smith and Bryan Deemer played in place of Cameron and Merz against Illinois and New Mexico State.  Meanwhile, the status of wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins, who injured his ankle after catching a 33-yard pass from quarterback Joe Ayoob on Friday, is still uncertain.  Tedford said Sam DeSa will see more playing time if Hawkins' ankle keeps him from competing at full strength.  "He backs up Lavelle at those positions," Tedford said. "He has worked hard in practice and is much more consistent this season.

• In Friday's win, David Lonie booted all but one of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Tedford said he was pleased with Lonie's kicking but added that the setting in Las Cruces, N.M., probably contributed to Lonie's success.  "The elevation will do that for you," Tedford said. "That's why all of his kickoffs were going out of the end zone. Hopefully he can do that at home."