BIG GAME NOTEBOOK
Michelle Smith, Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writers
Stanford backup quarterback T.C. Ostrander said he has taken no more repetitions than usual this week, further indicating that the Cardinal are preparing to proceed with starter Trent Edwards against Cal on Saturday. "I don't think the injury with Trent is that big of an issue," said Ostrander, referring to the swelling in Edwards' left (non-throwing) hand. "I will do what I do before every game and make sure that I am ready for any situation, but he's looking good."
Ostrander started last year's Big Game at Memorial Stadium as a redshirt freshman while Edwards was sidelined with a shoulder injury. It was a difficult day for the Cardinal: They lost 41-6, the offense gained a season-low 180 yards and Ostrander was sacked six times. "They put a pretty good beating on us and on me,'' Ostrander said. "It gives me a little more motivation than I already have." Ostrander, who attended Menlo-Atherton High, has appeared in four games this season in spot duty. He has completed 13-of-29 attempts for 180 yards with one interception and no touchdowns. Ostrander said he's learning a lot from coach Walt Harris and the new system. "He's come in and changed the game for all of us,'' Ostrander said. "It's a concrete system and it's complicated. He tells us it's a pro system. I've learned a lot this year." Bradford improving: Stanford wide receiver Mark Bradford, the Cardinal's top offensive option until he injured his left ankle against UCLA on Oct. 29, played sparingly and in pain against Oregon State on Saturday. He did not catch a pass. "I had a little trouble running and cutting but it was nice to get out there and play,'' he said Wednesday. Bradford, who has caught 29 passes for 431 yards and five touchdowns, said he played at about "70 percent" against the Beavers. He assumes he will be even better against Cal. Bradford said he is participating in individual drills and 7-on-7 scrimmages, but is staying away from contact. "I've been getting treatment and when I'm not practicing, I'm taking mental reps, so that I'm ready when it's time for me to play," Bradford said.
Rivals in relief: A Hurricane Katrina Relief effort has been added to Big Game week this year. Both schools hope to raise enough money, approximately $60,000, to build a house for hurricane victims in New Orleans. Students are collecting donations at both campuses and will compete for donations at tables set up around Stanford Stadium before and during the Big Game. Donations also can be made online at asuc.org/katrina. Rock and roll fan: One of Cal's high-profile fans, Adam Duritz, is often a fixture at practices and on the sideline at games. He has missed a few games this year because of commitments with his band, Counting Crows. Duritz was at Saturday's loss to USC and will be at Stanford Stadium for the Big Game. He says he wouldn't miss either. "In recent years because of how good we've become, the USC game has taken on more importance," he said. "While winning against USC might be a big deal, losing the Big Game is a huge deal."
Duritz will be dressed in blue and gold Cal gear, as usual, and said he doesn't expect to watch a loss. Longshore surgery: Cal quarterback Nate Longshore was back at practice Wednesday -- as a spectator -- after having surgery Tuesday to remove the screws in his ankle. Coach Jeff Tedford says he has "no idea" if Longshore might be ready to play in a bowl game. Longshore was lost in the season-opening win over Sacramento State with a severe ankle injury, including a broken fibula. Screws were implanted to secure the ankle joint, which had incurred extensive ligament damage. The screws were beginning to irritate Longshore's ankle, Tedford said. Numbers game: The Bears have won the last three Big Games, something not accomplished by Cal since 1958, '59 and '60. If the Bears win Saturday, it will be the first time since 1936, '37, '38 and '39 that they've won four in a row. Under Tedford, the Bears have not lost three games in a row. They are on a two-game losing streak (at Oregon and against USC). The Bears, already bowl eligible, are hoping for a third consecutive bowl appearance -- which would be the first three in a row since the team went to the Rose Bowl after the 1948, '49 and '50 seasons.
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