Contra Costa Times: Tedford: Lynch progressing fine

• Coach praises tailback, who has put up solid numbers despite injuries

Cal football notebook

BERKELEY -- Although Cal sophomore tailback Marshawn Lynch didn't develop into a Heisman Trophy candidate as some expected, coach Jeff Tedford said he has made some very positive strides. "He has played very limited," Tedford said. "He only played a quarter against Washington before getting hurt (breaking a bone in his left hand) and he missed two games after that. He just hasn't been on the field all that much."  In the time he has been on the field, Lynch has produced solid numbers. He has gained 653 yards, averaging 5.9 yards a carry. He is averaging 108.8 yards per game and appears headed toward a 1,000-yard season if he remains healthy. Tedford was asked if Lynch has developed into an every down back. "He still is in the process," he said. "That's been slowed down because of the injuries he has had. He not only had the hand (injury), but he had a couple of other things early in the season. He really hasn't had a chance to see what it is like to carry four, five or six plays in a row." Lynch also continues to learn how to be a student of the game. "(Running backs) Coach (Ron) Gould does a nice job of incorporating him into film study," Tedford said. "You can always learn from this play or that play." He might have learned to trust his blockers more on kickoffs after he was trapped inside the 20-yard line twice in Saturday's 42-38 win over Washington State. "Marshawn needs to get a little better feel," Tedford said. "There were a couple of creases there." Tedford said that Lynch went outside the blocking scheme on his first return, which he brought back to the 35-yard line. He tried that strategy twice afterward and was stuffed.

Way to go, Joe

Tedford said quarterback Joe Ayoob might be making mistakes on the field, but that the junior has earned his respect. "It's so amazing about that kid, the learning he has done, the perseverance he has had through some tough games. For that kid to stay as mentally tough as he does brings a great amount of admiration." Ayoob (1,521 yards passing, 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions) threw four touchdown passes against Washington State, including two during the Bears' fourth-quarter rally. "Joe played the whole game with more confidence and more authority," Tedford said. "That was a big difference. He wasn't aiming the ball."

Healing process

Tedford said that he "suspects" that offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan (concussion), defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (ankle) and wide receivers Robert Jordan (collarbone) and DeSean Jackson (shoulder) all will return to full strength physically for the Bears' next game, Nov. 5 at Oregon. "The toughest thing about last week was juggling the lineup and not knowing if we would have them," Tedford said.   Tedford said Jordan went through pregame drills against Washington State even though he was in extreme pain. "You have to admire and love a kid who on Thursday can't lift his arm but on Saturday says, 'I'm here for the team.'"  Sophomore wide receiver Noah Smith (broken fibula) also has returned to practice and could be ready to face the Ducks.  Although Cal junior offensive tackle Andrew Cameron, who is out with a torn ACL in his knee, has said that he might not play his senior season due to recurring injuries, Tedford said he probably needs some time to figure out his future. "These types of things cause you to re-evaluate," Tedford said. "We will support him whatever he decides."

Passing the test

Tedford said he was so emotional after the victory over Washington State because of everything that the Bears faced. "This is the youngest we've been and this was the most beaten up we've been," he said. "Our players faced all the reasons they could have found not to be successful. But we found ways to make plays in all three phases of the game. "It's something when you are up 28-10 at halftime and the momentum is totally a landslide going the other way, and you still have the belief that you can make plays. Everyone kept doing their job as they always do. It was good for our young players to see that if you keep playing hard, good things will happen."

End run

Tedford noticed that some of Cal's fans were leaving early in the fourth quarter before the Bears rallied for two touchdowns to beat Washington State. "I appreciate the fans who stayed and helped us," he said. ... Cal's game at Oregon will begin at 12:30 p.m. and be televised by ABC.