SF Chronicle: Tedford's unusual approach

CAL NOTEBOOK

Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Coach Jeff Tedford is preparing his team for Illinois. But he's sure watching a lot of video of Florida.  That's because the Illini, who play the No. 15 Bears (2-0) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, are under coach Ron Zook.  Tedford says Illinois (2-0) hasn't shown a lot this season, so he's studying film of the Gators. Zook was Florida's head coach the past three seasons.  "It makes it more difficult not having a history with exactly what they are going to do with their players," Tedford said. "In watching the Florida games, you can tell that there's more there, both offensively and defensively."  The Illini are relatively standard on defense, although Tedford said they play more of the "Cover 2" defense than the Bears are used to seeing.  The Illini play the spread offense popularized by Zook's replacement at Florida, former Utah coach Urban Meyer.  "They spread you out, fake the ball underneath, give shovel passes, options out of the shotgun," Tedford said, calling Zook's offense a "trick-you type of thing."  Zook took over a team that was 3-8 last year, 1-11 the year before and has only one Big Ten win the past two seasons.  "We feel like we have made some strides," Zook said. "In the spring and summer, one of the concerns I had was changing the mind-set. We always talk about how winning is a habit. But unfortunately, so is losing."  O'Keith likes contact: Junior tailback Marcus O'Keith says he uses his elusiveness rather than pure power on offense. On special teams, it's another matter.  "I just like to hit," he said.

O'Keith, third on the depth chart at tailback, has made the most of his chances on offense this year, with eight carries for 172 yards, including 103 yards in the Bears' win at Washington on Saturday, his second 100-yard game at Cal.

But while waiting for opportunities on offense, O'Keith says he relishes playing on special teams, especially kickoff coverage on which he gets to tackle.  "I've always liked to play defense, even though I haven't really since Pop Warner," he said.  Tedford said his tailbacks are unselfish players who don't mind acknowledging Marshawn Lynch as No. 1.