SF Chronicle: Lynch finds time for more yards

CAL NOTEBOOK

Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer

Coach Jeff Tedford says Marshawn Lynch is still learning how to handle the burden of being an every-down running back.  At the beginning of the season, coaches said Lynch's biggest challenge would be making the transition to starting tailback after an excellent freshman year backing up J.J. Arrington.  "He's still in that process," Tedford said.  Lynch is second on the team in rushing, averaging 5.9 yards a carry for 653 yards. His backup, Justin Forsett, leads the team, averaging 8.2 yards a carry with 867 yards.  In Saturday's 42-38 win over Washington State, Lynch led the Bears with 160 rushing yards (his season best), including a 39-yard touchdown run.  "He hasn't been on the field that much," Tedford said. Lynch broke the little finger on his left hand in the second quarter of Cal's win at Washington. He missed the next two games. He sat out the first quarter in the loss at UCLA in a disciplinary measure for missing a running backs' meeting.  Then, in the loss to Oregon State, Tedford sat Lynch on the bench in the second half after he fumbled twice in the first half.  "It wasn't that we were trying to teach him a lesson," Tedford said. "We can't put the team at risk."  Lynch is back full-time now, finally able to carry the ball in either hand and apparently is the healthiest he's been all year.

"It's been slow for him because of his injuries," Tedford said, acknowledging that in addition to the broken finger Lynch had "a couple other things earlier in the season that were hindering him a little bit."  Time for healing: It's no secret what the Bears are emphasizing in the current bye week -- playing next at Oregon on Nov. 5.  "The key is to get them healthy," Tedford said, referring to his latest missing regulars.  As of Tuesday, he was optimistic that offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan (concussion), defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (ankle) and receivers Robert Jordan (collarbone) and DeSean Jackson (shoulder) all will be ready to return for the Oregon game.  The four were injured in the loss to Oregon State, resulting in some uncertainties in last week's preparations for Washington State.  "That's the hard part, not knowing if you're going to have them back or not," Tedford said.  Receiver Noah Smith, lost after the season-opening win over Sacramento State with a broken ankle, is rejoining the team at practice. Tedford said he was "not sure" if he'd be available at Oregon.  Offensive lineman Mike Tepper, who was the victim of a criminal assault in the offseason -- incurring a broken leg when a car ran over him, is making significant progress in his rehab. Tepper has said he's likely to return this season, but Tedford said, "I don't think that's possible." Plus, the team plans on asking the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility for Tepper. "If that case doesn't work, I don't know what does," Tedford said.  Quarterback Nate Longshore, lost in the opener with a severe ankle injury that included a broken fibula, is ready to start jogging. Tedford was uncertain if Longshore might be available later in the season.  Ayoob keeps learning: Tedford repeatedly has said that quarterback Joe Ayoob needed to throw the ball with "more authority."  The coach finally was pleased Saturday, with Ayoob throwing for four touchdowns, including two at the end of dramatic drives in the final six minutes in the come-from-behind win.  "He was cutting it loose," Tedford said.  Ayoob completed 19 passes in 35 attempts for 274 yards. He was intercepted twice, both times on tipped balls.  Tedford didn't go simply by the numbers, saying he was even impressed with the passes that were off-target.  "They looked like they had some intentions on them," he said.