Oakland Tribune: Comeback victory brightens outlook for Tedford, Cal

By Dave Newhouse, STAFF WRITER 

BERKELEY — What a difference five minutes can make in a coach's life. Jeff Tedford was relaxed, smiling and exuding a positive outlook during an hourlong interview Tuesday.  Had Cal not scored twice in the last five minutes Saturday night to defeat Washington State 42-38 and end a two-game losing streak, this bye week would have left a noticeable strain on Tedford and Cal's season.  But now Cal (6-2, 3-2 Pac-10) seems poised for a stronger finish against two ranked teams, Oregon and USC, and surging Stanford.  "I was extremely happy in that game," Tedford said of Washington State, "because of all we were up against. All the reasons the kids could have found not to be successful, they didn't. They found a way to make plays in all three phases.  "It would have been very easy — given that we're as young as we've ever been, and we're the most beat up we've ever been — not to find a way to get it done."  Another reason for optimism: Tedford expects to have four starters back at full health for Oregon: wide receivers Robert Jordan (collarbone) and DeSean Jackson (shoulder separation), offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan (concussion), and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (sprained ankle).

Plus wideout Noah Smith (broken leg), who hasn't played since the Sacramento State opener, could return for the Nov.5 game in Eugene. And quarterback Nate Longshore (broken leg) could be healthy by the time the bowl season rolls around.  The future of junior offensive tackle Andrew Cameron (ACL knee injury), though, remains uncertain. O'Callaghan predicted recently that Cameron, who has had two shoulder surgeries, will graduate in May and be done with Cal football. Tedford is taking a wait-and-see approach.  The Cal coach covered a variety of subjects Tuesday, beginning with his defense of cornerbacks Daymeion Hughes and Tim Mixon, the prime targets of the Cougars' Alex Brink, who passed for 423 yards Saturday.  "I'm not disappointed," Tedford said. "Do we like big plays? No. But the effort was there. Tim Mixon was going to intercept

a pass, but (Jason) Hill pushed him in the back and caught it for a touchdown. Corner can be a lonely position from time to time."

Tedford said the biggest play that went unnoticed Saturday was Hughes missing a diving tackle on Hill on an 80-yard pass play, then getting up and chasing down Hill at the 6. WSU had to settle for a field goal. If not for Hughes' effort, Cal would have had to win in overtime.  But Tedford then added that safety Harrison Smith will rotate in at corner, his previous position at Cal, from now on.  The coach showered praise on quarterback Joe Ayoob, who progressed leaps and bounds Saturday with his two late touchdown passes that rescued the Bears.  "He was throwing it with authority," Tedford said. "That's what you're looking for. The perception of his having really, really rough days — 0-for-10, fans cussing at him. For that kid to stay as mentally tough as he is, to compete as he does, brings a great amount of admiration."  The coach addressed Marshawn Lynch's development by saying he's "in the process" of making the transition into an every-down back — a process slowed by injuries, a first-quarter suspension against UCLA and a second-half benching against Oregon State after losing two fumbles.  "The process is carrying the ball four, five, six times in a row," Tedford said. "He's just kind of experiencing that now because of all his injuries."  Tedford also noted that Lynch, who now wears a splint, not a cast, on his broken left little finger, has improved at watching game films.  The coached praised defensive ends Nu'u Tafisi and Phillip Mbakogu for the late-game pressure they put on Brink as Cal rallied.