AYOOB UNDAUNTED BY UCLA, ROSE BOWL
By Jay Heater
Knight Ridder
Cal quarterback Joe Ayoob was recruited for moments like this. In a packed Rose Bowl, No. 10 Cal will face No. 20 UCLA today in a game that could determine who is the main competition for USC in the quest for a Pacific-10 Conference title and, perhaps, a berth in the national championship game. If Cal wins, it would continue toward a Nov. 12 showdown with the Trojans that might be the biggest game ever played in Berkeley. But the Bears' quarterback has been inconsistent through the first five games of his career against underwhelming teams such as Sacramento State and Arizona. Today he will face a team that has trounced Oklahoma. The Bruins faithful will be making so much noise that Ayoob and his teammates might not be able to hear the offensive signals. The game will be televised on TBS. And UCLA could put the contest on Ayoob's shoulders by packing the line of scrimmage to stop the Bears' powerful running game. ``I'm sure they will load up the box,'' said Ayoob, who is 56 of 100 passing for 813 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. ``We've been running all over people. ``But that will leave one-on-one coverage. I'm happy to see that.''
Isn't that a lot of pressure, considering the circumstances? ``I just don't think about it,'' Ayoob said. ``It really hasn't hit me. I know the place will be packed. The more, the merrier.'' Cal Coach Jeff Tedford said he expects Ayoob to be just fine in terms of nerves.
``I'm not as concerned as I was the first week,'' Tedford said. ``There was no question he was nervous that first game. But since then, Joe's played at Washington in front of a big crowd and at home in front of some big crowds. I think he has the feel of what a big-time college experience is all about.'' Ayoob, who transferred to Cal from City College of San Francisco, has had to play catch-up after losing to Nate Longshore in the quarterback competition during the summer. Longshore suffered a broken leg in the season opener against Sacramento State, thrusting Ayoob into the starting role. He was 0 of 10 passing in finishing up the victory over the Hornets but has made progress. Still, Ayoob conceded that he thinks a bit too much on the field. ``I need to get that unconscious feeling back,'' he said. ``I want to get to the point where I just see it and throw it.'' He said he takes a split-second too long to evaluate the situation, even when he sees an open receiver. He said that slight indecision has often caused him to throw the ball a little too long. ``Right now, it comes out too hot,'' Ayoob said of his attempts to throw the long ball. ``I'm just that one step off. Some of it is a timing thing, but mostly it's on me.'' This would seem like an unlikely time for Ayoob to get everything together, but he said he feels comfortable in the huddle alongside several players who have played in big games. He said there have been times when senior offensive linemen Ryan O'Callaghan and Aaron Merz have loosened him up with light banter. ``I hear Merz talking to O.C. in the huddle and I start chuckling,'' he said. ``They've been through this before.''
Although Ayoob hasn't been in a game of this magnitude, he said his progression sets him up to have a solid outing. ``I would give myself a B-minus to a B so far,'' he said. ``I'm not happy with the way I'm throwing the ball. I know I can do better. I did expect this to be a little easier than it's been. But I feel more comfortable every week with how I want things to be done. I have confidence in myself.'' Ayoob said it doesn't bother him that some Cal fans are questioning his ability.
``The more people want you to do bad, the more you want to play well,'' he said. ``I am going to throw the ball regardless.''
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