Tedford, senior leader tell team of work ahead
Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer
Cal coach Jeff Tedford, his team now officially set to play BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 22, doesn't want a repeat of last year's postseason. And he's not talking only about the Bears' 45-31 loss to Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl. Tedford clearly is hoping for fewer off-field distractions this time. "There was so much media attention and so much negativity," Tedford said Sunday, referring to the debate about the Bears being edged from a berth in the Rose Bowl at the end of the regular season. "That just never went away," he said. "Our players had to keep answering those questions all the time." This year, with the Bears going 7-4 and in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Pac-10 at 4-4, there was no chance for a BCS berth. The official reaction at Memorial Stadium on Sunday as the bowl lineups were announced was decidedly low-key. Only two senior players -- center Marvin Philip and linebacker Ryan Foltz -- were made available. And Tedford spoke to reporters by telephone from Los Angeles, where he was on a recruiting trip, "We're real excited," Tedford said. "Not everyone is still playing." The Bears will leave for Las Vegas on Dec. 18. "It's fun to go to Vegas and have our practices down there," Philip said. He was referring to the change in scenery, and certainly not talking about Las Vegas night life -- warning his younger teammates of the days ahead. "I think a lot of guys might think a bowl game is a vacation," he said. "It's going to be work." This is the third consecutive bowl appearance for the Bears, the first such stretch at Cal since Pappy Waldorf's Bears went to the Rose Bowl following the 1948, 49, '50 seasons. "I feel we're on the right track," Tedford said. "I'm very proud of what this coaching staff and these guys have accomplished." The Bears were bowl eligible in 2002 -- Tedford's first year at Cal -- but were could not compete in the postseason because of NCAA sanctions. In 2003, they beat Virginia Tech 52-49 in the Insight Bowl. BYU (6-5, 5-3 Mountain West) is a bit reminiscent of Texas Tech, which baffled the Bears with its spread offense.
The Cougars also spread as many as five receivers across the field. In fact, offensive coordinator Robert Anae, new at BYU, along with first-year coach Bronco Mendenhall, spent 2000-04 as an assistant at Texas Tech. "It's almost the exact same thing," Foltz said. "Every play has the potential for a big play." Tedford said the Bears did come away the wiser from last year's loss. He also noted that Cal has seen similar schemes playing Illinois, New Mexico State and Oregon this year.
In one subplot to the game, former Cal coach Tom Holmoe is the athletic director at BYU, his alma mater. "I've always thought he was a quality person," Tedford said.
Briefly: Tedford said quarterback Nate Longshore, out since incurring a severe ankle injury in the season opener, is getting "closer" to being able to play. "I think he's still pretty sore, though," Tedford said. Steve Levy, who made his first collegiate start in the regular season-ending win at Stanford, has been named the starter for the bowl game. ... Offensive lineman Mike Tepper, out all year after breaking his leg when he became the victim of an offseason criminal assault, has been practicing some but definitely will not play in the bowl game, Tedford said. ... Tickets are on sale at calbears.com.
Las Vegas Bowl
Cal (7-4) vs. byu (6-5)
When: 5 p.m., Dec. 22
TV: ESPN
Of note: Former Cal coach Tom Holmoe is the Cougars' athletic director.
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