ANTHONY GIMINO
Tucson Citizen
Cal's Justin Forsett picked up a career-high 235 yards last night in a 41-13 win at New Mexico State. UA may have to stop both Forsett and original starter Marshawn Lynch next Saturday. That California is 4-0 heading into next Saturday's home game against Arizona was to be expected. The way the Bears got there is the surprise. After the Bears' opening game, in which starting quarterback Nate Longshore was lost for the season because of a broken fibula, UA's chances for an upset seemed to improve. In the second game, when starting running back Marshawn Lynch was sidelined because of a finger injury, it seemed as if it had a chance to impact the UA game. In the third game, when injuries sidelined eight players who started the opener, it was more potentially good news for the Cats. In the fourth game - last night's 41-13 victory at New Mexico State - none of it seemed to matter.
The Bears, whose injury woes came after they returned a league-low 11 starters from last season, have relied on previously questionable depth and key recruits to keep rolling and again are looking like a contender for the Pac-10 title after a 10-2 season. "They are very good athletically," UA coach Mike Stoops said this week. "They have a lot of skills and very good offensive linemen." An easy schedule (Sacramento State, Washington, Illinois and New Mexico State) was just what the young Bears needed to build momentum, while the young Wildcats started 1-2, having been asked to climb a higher mountain of Utah and Purdue. "I know Arizona is much improved, and they are going to be ready to play," Bears coach Jeff Tedford told the Cal radio network last night. What UA is sure to see next Saturday is a powerful running game, with or without Lynch. He has missed the past two games, but 13th-ranked Cal marches on with backup Justin Forsett. He rushed for 187 yards against Illinois and 235 last night - the fourth-best figure in school history.
Lynch probably could have played if needed last night. Cal, missing standout offensive linemen Andrew Cameron and Aaron Merz for the second consecutive week (concussions), ran for 311 yards. That figures to be a huge problem for UA, which is 97th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 202 yards per game. But for the first time this season, the Cats won't face an offensive scheme in which the quarterback often runs from the shotgun formation. Plus, Stoops said starting defensive end Copeland Bryan (foot) might be able to return next weekend. Starting linebackers Dane Krogstad (shoulder) and Randy Sims (ankle) should play and would be key against Cal's powerful running attack. The Bears have had a 100-yard rusher in 16 straight games. The quarterback position now looks fine, too.
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