By Jay Heater
Knight Ridder
When a team has a Heisman Trophy candidate at tailback, as Cal does with sophomore Marshawn Lynch, the backup becomes ``that other guy.'' Saturday, when Cal hosts Illinois, sophomore tailback Justin Forsett might get a chance to show fans why the Golden Bears' coaches are so excited about his ability. Forsett will be the starter if Lynch, who dislocated and fractured a knuckle on his left hand against Washington, can't play or is limited. Lynch's availability will be determined both by his physical status -- Cal Coach Jeff Tedford said he would be ready to play -- and by the game situation. If Cal's offense runs smoothly with Forsett, Tedford might keep Lynch on the sideline. However, Tedford isn't about to tip his hand until Saturday. Forsett, meanwhile, has to prepare as if he will be the main man against the Illini. ``I know I have to be more productive on the field,'' said Forsett, who is averaging 5.9 yards per carry after rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown in the first two games. Although his numbers are solid for a backup, Forsett has yet to prove that he can be a big-play guy at prime time with the first unit. His 35-yard touchdown run against Washington came on the final play from scrimmage.
``I have the same mindset'' playing with the starters, said Forsett, who accepted a late scholarship offer from Cal in 2004 after Notre Dame rescinded its offer. ``But the speed is a lot different.'' In practice, Forsett has looked sharp, like a guy who could start for a lot of Division I-A programs. Those workouts make it obvious why the shifty back out of Arlington, Texas, has raced up the depth chart in front of junior Marcus O'Keith, who is averaging 21.5 yards per carry, and senior Terrell Williams. But he has yet to show that flash and dash early in games. This could be his chance. ``It's exciting,'' said Forsett, who is 5-foot-8, 180 pounds. ``This is a big opportunity for me.'' Besides working hard on the field, Forsett has been watching film of himself to determined why he has yet to break off big gains with the starting unit. ``I need to pick up my feet a little more,'' he said. ``There was a play against Washington where there was a guy under me and he got a hold of my foot. That happened a couple of times.'' Forsett said that he should be able to rip off some big gains because he has done that against a very good Cal defense in practice. ``Practice is a lot harder than the games,'' he said. ``We work so hard. It's all fun during the games.'' Besides his tailback duties, Forsett is averaging 17.5 yards on kickoff returns. ``We're going to break one sooner or later,'' he said. ``We just need to get everyone lined up and then I need to make the right decisions.''
Special-teams focus
If Lynch is limited, O'Keith also should get more opportunities. He has carried eight times for 172 yards and two touchdowns even though he is the third-team tailback. Asked after Cal's win over Washington if he thought he would get more carries, O'Keith said he needed to focus on his special-teams duties. That's an odd attitude for a tailback. ``He has been having some success and some carries at tailback, but he knows there is a huge role for him to play on special teams,'' Tedford said. ``Our players care about that role and they are not selfish. Marcus is a very dependable guy.''
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