ASU Online: Cal: We're past the early loss at Tennessee

The No. 22 California football team didn't start the season the way it planned but has recovered in time for its matchup with the No. 20 Sun Devils Saturday. Both teams will be opening up Pac-10 play and are looking to establish an early lead in the conference. The Golden Bears were dominated in their first game of the season, 35-18, by No. 23 Tennessee on Sept. 2. Cal was ranked ninth in the nation at the time, was favored to win and set itself up as viable national championship contender.

Instead, Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge picked apart the Golden Bears' defense with four touchdown passes, while the Tennessee defense held Cal's Heisman Trophy candidate, junior running back Marshawn Lynch, to 74 yards on 12 carries. "It definitely humbled us," Cal sophomore wide receiver DeSean Jackson said. "It let everyone know that if we're going to be ranked that high then we have to hold it down."  Having seemingly lost all national-title hopes so early in the season has not stopped Cal from rebounding. The Bears have won two straight home games, defeating Minnesota and Portland State. Fifth-year coach Jeff Tedford said the early loss was a disappointment for the team, but the important thing is it recovered. "The important thing is to bounce back over a temporary setback, and I think our team did a nice job of that," Tedford said. "I think everyone was able to get over it." Opening Pac-10 play is something Tedford said would further boost the team's morale as "there's always a little bounce in your step when you get into conference."

Garnering the most attention this year is Lynch. So far, he has rushed for 325 yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries in his Heisman campaign.

While Tedford said Lynch had a slight ankle sprain last week, he was fortunate to get rest for three quarters and looked great in the team's Sunday rundown. Handing the ball off to Lynch is sophomore quarterback Nate Longshore. Last season, Longshore won the starting job and quickly lost it after suffering a broken leg in the first game of the season.  While senior quarterback Joe Ayoob finished the rest of the 2005 season, Longshore was able to win his spot back this fall. Helping Longshore put together the nation's 10th-ranked passing offense is a tandem of receivers led by Jackson.

During his true freshman season last year, Jackson was the team's leading receiver catching 38 passes for 601 yards and seven touchdowns.

After having such a productive season, Jackson said that he chose not to play baseball for Cal this past spring so he could work on his strength and chemistry with Longshore. Protecting Longshore this year is an offensive line that is welcoming the return of senior tackle Andrew Cameron.  With senior offensive tackle Scott Smith out, sophomore offensive lineman Mike Tepper and junior Mike Gibson should split time opposite Cameron.  Tepper got the start last week, a feat that almost didn't happen after he was injured while protecting a friend last year.  When a car full of men was harassing a female friend of Tepper's in the summer of 2005, Tepper stepped in front of the car and shielded her only to be hit twice by the car.

After doctors decided not to amputate one of his feet, Tepper spent the past season rehabbing and returned this season.  "What he did for the girl just shows you his character," Jackson said. "It's just good to have him back on the team."   The Bears' defense will have a chance to live up to their preseason hype with a shot at the high-powered Sun Devil offense.   Senior cornerback Daymeion Hughes and senior defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, both preseason All-Americans, lead the defense along with senior linebacker Desmond Bishop.   Bishop said Cal is a more mature unit since the loss at Tennessee.  “It will be a little bit easier for us to control the big plays," Bishop said.