FINAL HOME GAME FOR THE LAST CLASS WITH HOLMOE TIES
By Jay Heater
Preparing to play top-ranked USC on Saturday has obscured one pretty important fact for Cal's seniors. It will be their final game at Memorial Stadium. ``The game is the big thing on my mind,'' said Cal guard Aaron Merz, a former walk-on who won a starting role in 2003. The fifth-year seniors are the last class to have a connection with former coach Tom Holmoe, who recruited them. The Bears were 1-10 in 2001, when Merz was redshirted as a freshman. Merz played on winning teams in 2002, 2003 and 2004 under Jeff Tedford and appears to be headed toward his third consecutive bowl this season. He has been part of a complete transformation of the football program. ``I am kind of amazed it is here,'' Merz said of his last home game with the Golden Bears (6-3, 3-3 Pacific-10 Conference). ``At the same time, I'm ready for it. I'm definitely content with the path I've chosen and the battles I've won and lost.'' Fifth-year senior Ryan O'Callaghan said he feels as though he has been around a long, long time. ``Has it gone fast?'' O'Callaghan said. ``No. Not at all. Everyone says it goes by fast. Well, no. My freshman year seemed like an eternity.'' O'Callaghan was asked how he will feel going through the tunnel at Memorial Stadium for the final time. ``I really hadn't thought about it,'' he said. ``Ask me after the game.'' Senior linebacker Ryan Foltz said facing the Trojans (9-0, 6-0) is the best way to close out his Memorial Stadium career. ``Playing the No. 1 team in the country, that's the most exciting way you would want to go out,'' Foltz said. ``We have a chance to go out on a really high note. A win would be unbelievable.''
Foltz said the progress Tedford has made at Cal has been amazing. ``I'm just proud to be part of it,'' he said. ``I look back and think of all the things we have gone through and have overcome. We've grown up and done a lot of maturing.''
A victory over USC would help make up for the Bears' three tough losses, Foltz said. ``It has been frustrating because we had high expectations,'' he said. ``But you can't worry about what already has happened.'' Among the seniors playing their final home game are center Marvin Philip, fullback Chris Manderino, cornerback Harrison Smith, defensive end Tosh Lupoi, defensive back Donnie McCleskey, tailback Terrell Williams and punter David Lonie.
Tedford's view
Tedford was asked why some fans choose to hate USC. ``I don't hate them,'' he said. ``Maybe people are envious of how much success they've had. But they have class and they don't taunt people. You don't ever get the feeling that they think they are better than you.'' Tedford also was asked what he thought about the academic load of Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart, who is taking only ballroom dancing this semester. ``He's earned it,'' Tedford said. ``If he had slacked off in other years, he would be taking a full load right now. I admire somebody who has put in the work.''
• Cal is 0-9 against top-ranked teams, a streak that started in 1961 when the Bears lost 28-7 to Iowa, and 0-4 against USC when it has been ranked No. 1. The Bears are 5-5 against ranked teams under Tedford.
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