CAL NOTEBOOK
Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer
With Arizona having the lowest-rated run defense in the Pac-10 and Cal having the highest ranked rushing offense, Bears coach Jeff Tedford could be forgiven for licking his chops. But he's not. Tedford said Tuesday that the Wildcats' ranking is skewed by their having given up big running plays in their two losses: 27-24 at Utah on Sept. 2 and 31-24 against Purdue on Sept. 17. Those plays came out of the sometimes difficult-to-defend spread-option offense that is the trademark of Utah's system and a staple at Purdue, with a running game based on misdirection and deception. "It was just a matter of Utah and Purdue making some big plays with the option," Tedford said. No. 12 Cal (4-0) hosts Arizona (1-2) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. "Their defense is always physical and very well coached," Tedford said. "They've been in both those games they lost. They could very easily be 3-0 right now. ... You're not going to stand in there and pound those guys all day long." Second-year Arizona coach Mike Stoops has a well-deserved reputation as a defensive innovator. He served as defensive coordinator for his brother, Bob Stoops, at Oklahoma from 1999 through 2003, including coaching on the Sooners' 2000 national championship team. Cal is averaging 275.8 rushing yards a game,. Arizona is allowing 202 rushing yards a game.
Lynch to play: Tailback Marshawn Lynch will play against Arizona. Lynch broke the little finger on his left hand in Cal's win at Washington, and has missed the last two games. In his absence, Justin Forsett has rushed for 422 yards in the two games. Plus, Marcus O'Keith ran for 103 against Washington. Still, there's no doubt who the centerpiece of Cal's offense is. "Marshawn is our guy," Tedford said.
Coaches won't know until later in the week how Lynch will react to returning to practice full time, and what his role might be against Arizona. "Marshawn will play, he absolutely will play," Tedford said. "How much, I don't know." Lynch ran for 147 yards in the season-opening win over Sacramento State and gained 46 before leaving the game at Washington early in the second half. Hawkins hobbled: Wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins sprained his ankle in Friday night's win at New Mexico State, and Tedford said he appears to be on the mend. If Hawkins can't play Saturday, Sam DeSa could get extended playing time. "He practices very hard," Tedford said, praising DeSa for improving over last year. "He's much more consistent." Hawkins, who did not play in the first game because of a transfer-eligibility issue, has three receptions for 51 yards. DeSa has two catches for 68 yards.
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