By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
It looked like a triage unit in Berkeley on Monday with star football talent slowed by a number of ailments. No. 15 Cal will play host to 2-0 Illinois on Saturday with a full complement, however, as none of the injuries are deemed serious.
Marshawn Lynch, the Bears' heralded tailback, has a cast on his left hand but expects to be ready for an Illini team that is coached by former Florida coach Ron Zook. Lynch dislocated a knuckle on the Bears' first offensive play of the second half last Saturday against Washington and left with 46 yards rushing on five carries. Others who have been slowed at practice this week include All-American center Marvin Philip and linebacker Greg Van Hoesen because of sore ankles, and defensive end Tosh Lupoi because of a sprained knee. Ayoob's rebound - Joe Ayoob recovered nicely from his dreadful 0-for-10 passing debut against Sacramento State in the season opener two Saturdays ago by torching the Huskies in Seattle, even after his first pass was intercepted. The junior settled down and threw four first-half touchdown passes, and it isn't just his arm that has come of age.
"He matured big-time after the first week," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said at his Tuesday news conference. "He used to be kind of a happy-go-lucky guy. Every now and then you would turn and see him goofing off with guys. You don't see that anymore. There is a whole different maturity with him now as far as focus." D on D - Desmond Bishop was expected to impact a defense gutted by graduation and he hasn't disappointed. The linebacker from City College of San Francisco by way of Fairfield has led the Bears in tackles in both games of their 2-0 start.
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