By Brian Mason, College Football Staff Writer
GAME NOTES: The 15th-ranked California Golden Bears and the Ron Zook led Fighting Illini of Illinois will both be looking to remain undefeated when they meet this weekend in a non-conference matchup from Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. Zook was brought into rebuild a once proud football program and its become obvious through the first two games that he has Illinois on the right path. After opening the year with a thrilling 33-30 overtime win against Rutgers, the Illini had a much easier time with San Jose State last Saturday, winning 40-19 in Champaign. Illinois is now 2-0 for the first time since the 2001 season and Zook is the first head coach at the school to win his first two games since Mike White accomplished the feat in 1980. As for the Bears, they are also 2-0 following a convincing 56-17 rout of Tyrone Willingham's Washington Huskies in their conference opener last Saturday. Coach Jeff Tedford's squad is seeking its ninth straight home win this weekend and its 18th victory in its last 21 tilts. This game will mark just the 10th meeting between these two schools, with the Illini holding a 7-2 series advantage. They have met three times since 2000, including in 2003 when the Bears recorded a 31-24 victory in Champaign.
Zook comes from the Steve Spurrier school of offensive wizardry and it has rubbed off on quarterback Tim Brasic who has completed 73.2 percent of his passes for 432 yards and three touchdowns thus far. His play has ignited an offense that is averaging 36.5 ppg and has six different receivers with at least four receptions to their credit already. The rushing attack has also been outstanding, averaging 223.5 ypg behind the play of Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey. Thomas is leading the team with 142 yards and two touchdowns, while Halsey has racked up 125 yards and a score. Brasic has also been a force running the ball, posting 97 yards and two touchdowns off of 26 rushing attempts. Both of those scores came in the recent win over San Jose State, a game in which Brasic also threw for 199 yards on 17-of-22 passing. Thomas was able to run for 79 yards and a touchdown, while Halsey notched 75 yards and a score of his own.
Illinois has proven to be one of the best teams against the run in the Big Ten this season, holding opponents to just 95 ypg. That average took a major dip following the dominating win over the Spartans last week, as SJSU was held to a mere 15 yards on the ground off of 25 carries (0.6 ypc). The Illini also allowed the Spartans to convert just 3-of-14 third-down chances and held them to just two first downs and negative three rushing yards in the first half of play. Remond Williams had one of the best defensive performances of the season for Illinois, finishing with eight tackles, 1.5 TFLs and an interception. Chris Norwell also had a solid showing, posting four tackles, three TFLs and a 1.5 sacks. On the season, the Illini have allowed their opponents just two touchdowns in seven red zone appearances. Morris Virgil is one of the main reasons for the team's defensive success thus far, posting a team-best 15 tackles and two broken up passes already.
One week after an 0-of-10 passing debut against Sacramento State, Cal quarterback Joe Ayoob was intercepted on the opening play of the team's 39- point victory against Washington and he also went 0-for-3 to start the game. He finally shook off the jitters and would finish the game 17-of-27 for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Ayoob needs to perform more like he did against the Huskies for the Bears to once again be a formidable opponent in the always competitive Pac-10 and especially with quarterback Nate Longshore out indefinitely following an injury suffered in the season-opener. Cal nearly lost its most explosive star last weekend, as Marshawn Lynch was forced out of the game with a hand injury. The ultra-talented running back is expected to start this weekend and was replaced by the duo of Marcus O'Keith and Justin Forsett. O'Keith was able to run for 103 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries (17.2 ypc), while Forsett turned in 77 yards and a score on 11 attempts (7.0 ypc). Robert Jordan was Ayoob's target of choice, hauling in a game-high 11 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Cal surrendered 301 passing yards to Washington's passing attack last Saturday, but its run defense was stout after giving up a mere 68 yards on the ground. The Huskies also converted just 3-of-13 third-down chances and was unable to register a first-down on any of its fourth-down opportunities. Desmond Bishop tallied a team-high seven tackles, one TFL and a forced fumble, while Daymeion Hughes had six stops, two broken up passes and a 41-yard interception for a touchdown. Donnie McClesky registered four tackles, two TFLs and was responsible for one of the Bear's five quarterback takedowns. One of the best defensive units in the country last season, the 2005 version of the Bears are proving once again to be in that mold. On the season, Cal is holding opponents to just 10 ppg and 68 ypg on the ground, while also allowing them to convert a mere 22 percent of their third-down chances. Bishop has a squad-best 14 tackles to his credit, 12 of which are solo stops, and Brandon Mebane is leading the team in both TFLs (2.5) and sacks (2).
The Bears finally got some production out of Ayoob last weekend and that is encouraging for a Cal squad that can't just rely on its defense and running attack to bail it out every single week. Illinois is vastly improved with Zook at the helm, but it still isn't even close to the Bears in terms of talent.
Predicted Outcome
California 38, Illinois 13
No comments:
Post a Comment