Wednesday, October 12, 2005

San Jose Mercury: Cal Goofed Fake Punt

BEARS HAD ONLY 10 MEN ON FIELD FOR KEY PLAY

By Jon Wilner

Mercury News

Cal had 10 men on the field for the most important play of its 47-40 loss to UCLA on Saturday -- a fake punt in the fourth quarter that allowed the Bruins to score a critical touchdown. ``It was a youthful mistake that needs to be recognized by the coaches involved,'' Bears Coach Jeff Tedford said Tuesday. Trailing 40-28 midway through the fourth quarter, UCLA faced a fourth-and-two from its own 42 yardline. The Bruins lined up for a punt but instead gave the ball to Jarrad Page, who ran around the left end for 38 yards. UCLA scored three plays later, cutting the deficit to 40-35. The go-ahead touchdown came with 1:35 remaining. Tedford said the missing player, whom he refused to name, should have been positioned on the defensive right end -- the hole Page ran through. ``It's very disappointing,'' he said. ``It's not just the kid's fault. It's also the coaches' fault.''

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