Adapting to change
By Patrick Kinahan
Scouting California Nobody actually has seen him do it, but many around the California football program might be willing to profess that coach Jeff Tedford travels across the San Francisco Bay on foot. After all, the man has a history of making miracles. As a rookie head coach, Tedford inherited a program that had become the dregs of the Pac-10. In the prior five years, under Tom Holmoe, the Bears went 12-43, including 1-10 with a win over lowly Rutgers to close the 2001 season.
The Tedford era started 3-0, with a win over No. 15 Michigan State. The Bears played six ranked teams that season, losing twice by two points, against Air Force and Southern California. By year three, Cal was 10-1 and playing Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl. Losing his quarterback and running back to the NFL, Tedford's team went 7-4 this season and will play Brigham Young on Thursday in the Las Vegas Bowl. "Jeff has made so many remarkable contributions to our program, to our community and to our entire university," said athletic director Sandy Barbour. "He is much more than an outstanding coaching talent. We have heard from so many parents, alumni, professors and others about what a difference he's made in these young men's lives. Cal was dealt a serious blow in the first game, losing quarterback Nate Longshore to a broken ankle against Sacramento State. Considered an offensive specialist, Tedford mentored junior college transfer Joe Ayoob at quarterback and the team didn't miss a beat. The Bears started 5-0 and were ranked No. 10 before the slide began. They lost four out of five games before beating Stanford to close the regular season. By that time, Tedford benched Ayoob and inserted Steve Levy. The former fullback completed 10 of 18 passes for 125 yards. A rebuilding season didn't turn out bad, even if expectations were overinflated two months ago. "I feel we're on the right track, going to a third straight bowl," Tedford said. "We came into this season as the youngest team in the conference. We're on the way as a program with consistency. I'm proud of our consistency." No matter who starts at quarterback, Cal likely will stick with is powerful running game. The two primary running backs - Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett - combined to gain 2,014 yards. "I'm excited for the challenge of going against Cal, because they run the ball so well," said BYU senior defensive end Justin Maddux. "They're big and physical, and that's the kind of people I want to go against so I can gauge myself." Vulnerable against the pass all season, BYU's defense has fared well against the run. The Cougars have allowed 139.3 yards on the ground, almost 20 yards fewer than BYU's offense gains.
Two of Cal's offensive linemen - center Marvin Philip and tackle Ryan O'Callaghan - were first-team All-Pac-10. Philip started as a freshman in 2000 before leaving on an LDS church mission. "They're not going to shy away from their game plan," Maddux said. "I wouldn't see why they would. We're not going to shy away from ours. It's going to be a good test." Linebacker Brandon Mebane and cornerback Daymeion Hughes also were named to the Pac-10's first team. The Bears allow 20.5 points a game and are holding teams to 121.5 yards rushing. Statistically, their biggest weakness is through the air, as teams are passing for 230.2 yard a game. Cal's conference affiliation is enough to get BYU's attention. "They definitely have my respect," said BYU junior running back Curtis Brown.
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