SF Chronicle: Cal's Lynch won't start, but he's back

Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Cal tailback Marshawn Lynch will make the trip to New Mexico State and will be available to play in Friday night's game.  He will not start, however, coach Jeff Tedford said. Lynch broke the little finger on his left hand in the Bears' 56-17 win at Washington on Sept. 10 and did not play in Saturday's 35-20 win over Illinois.  Justin Forsett, who started against the Illini and ran for 187 yards, will open the game again against the Aggies.  Lynch, who gained 147 yards in the season-opening 41-3 win over Sacramento State, had rushed for 46 yards at Washington when he was injured. Marcus O'Keith, who shared relief duty with Forsett, ran for 103 yards against the Huskies.  Lynch has been limited in practice this week.

Incentive clause: Tedford said he doesn't have a problem motivating Cal (3-0) to play New Mexico State (0-3).  "We have not come close yet to reaching our potential as a team in any phase of the game," Tedford said.  In fact, in the Bears' three wins -- all ultimately by a comfortable margin -- there have been inconsistencies on offense, defense and special teams.  "We have a lot to work on, and that is mainly what we talk about -- getting better week in and week out," he said. "It doesn't matter who we play."  

True freshman: Back when Tedford announced this year's recruiting class, he made a point of saying incoming linebackers Anthony Felder and Zack Follett had the potential to begin contributing immediately as true freshmen. And that certainly has been the case.  "They pay attention to details and, not to mention, they have the athleticism and speed to recover from their mistakes from time to time," Tedford said.  Both have played in all three games and are already among the team leaders in tackling. Felder is fifth with 11 stops. Follett is sixth with 10, two of them for losses. He also has a forced fumble.  "They are both very attentive and responsible young men who are mature," Tedford said.  Felder is expected to start at one of the outside spots against New Mexico State, and Follett will be in the rotation, spelling starting middle linebacker Desmond Bishop.

Defending Ayoob: After a dismal debut against Sacramento State along with a slow start against Illinois, quarterback Joe Ayoob has taken his share of criticism.  He has a defender in Tedford.  "When players run wrong routes, when you are supposed to come out of a route and don't, when the back takes the wrong track and runs into him, all those things are pointed to Joe because he is the new guy and the focal point is on him," Tedford said. "But that is not necessarily the case."