SF Chroncle: Manderino's tough legacy

Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer

Las Vegas -- It doesn't take Jeff Tedford long to come up with the definitive Chris Manderino moment.  "Remember the jaw," Cal's head coach said.  Manderino broke his jaw at practice last spring. The fullback wanted to go right back on the field. As it was, he faced a daunting healing period and was lucky to be ready to go when fall camp began.  "He's been very tough and durable," Tedford said.  He should know. Coach and player share a strong link. Manderino has been the starting fullback in every game Tedford has coached at Cal. Thursday's game against BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl will be Manderino's 50th -- and his last.  "We're going to miss him," Tedford said. "He brings a lot of comfort, a lot of reliability."  Manderino began his career at Cal as a walk-on tailback in 2001, taking a redshirt in Tom Holmoe's last year as head coach. With the arrival of Tedford, Manderino immediately became the regular fullback. And he's become more than just a blocker.  "Each year I've been here, my role as far as getting the ball has increased," Manderino said. "It's been nice. The coaches have noticed my ability to do that, and try and get me the ball a little more."  Manderino has three rushing and five receiving touchdowns in his career, including two of each this season.  "To score a touchdown, there's nothing like that," Manderino said. "Then again, getting a huge, monster block and seeing the tailback go for 60, you've got to take a lot of pride in that."  As an anonymous worker in the running game, Manderino says he identifies mostly with the offensive linemen and tight ends.  Manderino should qualify for a graduate degree in Tedford's complex offense.  "After being in the system for four years, I know it like the back of my hand," he said. "Now I can focus on small things, like technique issues."  He also said that playing early in his career has given him a comfort level where he can "just go out and play and not second guess myself."

While he's a well-rounded player who is praised for his intelligence and knowledge of the game, he is mostly distinguished by his toughness. "To take out your aggression and what not is a lot of fun," he said. "But I think I'm a much different guy off the field than I am on the field." He has an easy smile and low-key manner. His appearance is more young corporate than hard-nosed. He worked as an intern in investment banking this past summer. If he is able to play in the NFL, he says he'd like to use the money he earns to start his own real estate development firm. Tedford says Manderino "has the potential" at the next level -- with the right team. "He's a full-on effort guy," the coach said. Even though Manderino is one of five Mormons on the team, he says there's nothing special for him in playing BYU. But there is something special about this game. "This is my last opportunity to play for Cal," he said. "I want to win. It would be a great moment to go out on, a great final memory."