Jones and Alualu back up Ma'afala, who had a stinger, and Mbakogu, who was still sidelined after knee surgery
BERKELEY -- Cal defensive line coach Ken Delgado was running out of healthy bodies heading into Saturday's 42-17 win over Minnesota at Memorial Stadium. The guy whom he converted from a tackle into a defensive end, senior Abu Ma'afala, had a stinger that was going to keep him out of the game. Ma'afala joined junior defensive end Phillip Mbakogu, whose knee hasn't responded well from offseason surgery, on the sideline. Sophomore Rulon Davis, a junior college transfer who had been impressive during preseason camp, had an illness which kept him out of practice during the week.
So Delgado turned to redshirt freshman Cody Jones and true freshman Tyson Alualu, who had to switch from his normal tackle spot, to fill the gap.
"Cody and Tyson had the job of holding up the end spot for us," Delgado said. "I think they held up well. They might not have jumped out at you as far as making plays, but they did their job." Minnesota, a team that ranked in the top five in the nation in rushing the past three seasons, gained just 109 yards. Delgado said Minnesota's game plan involved attacking the edge with its running game and both Jones and Alualu managed to string the offense out until the Bears' linebackers arrived. The Gophers took a couple of shots up the middle but were stuffed by Cal defensive tackle Brandon Mebane. Both Ma'afala and Davis are expected back for this Saturday's game against Portland State at Memorial Stadium.
Cameron ailing
Bears left offensive tackle Andrew Cameron sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter against Minnesota and is questionable for Portland State. Bears coach Jeff Tedford said that Cameron was optimistic that he could be ready for the game after some rehabilitation work this week. If Cameron can't go, Tedford would have to decide whether to start sophomore Mike Tepper in his place and leave the rest of the lineup intact, or shift right tackle Scott Smith to the other side where he played last season. If Smith was flipped to the other side, either Tepper or junior Mike Gibson would likely start at right tackle.
No break
Tedford said that playing Division I-AA Portland State does not represent a break in the schedule. The Vikings are coming off a 45-3 victory over Northern Colorado after a 17-6 win over Division I-A New Mexico in their opener. Portland State is playing an ambitious schedule that includes a game at Oregon on Oct. 28. "Their defensive is very aggressive," Tedford said after Monday's practice. "They have good size and they run well to the ball. They haven't allowed a touchdown yet."
Extra points
Tedford said junior wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins, who caught nine passes for 125 yards, had the best game of his career. "All the receivers did a great job with the way they caught the ball and the way they blocked," Tedford said. "And Lavelle especially did a nice job blocking." ... Tedford said that aside from dropping Nate Longshore's first pass of the game, tight end Eric Beegun had a solid game against Minnesota. Tedford played Craig Stevens, the regular starter at tight end who was questionable with a concussion, on a couple of first-half series. However, Stevens wasn't feeling at well at halftime so Tedford didn't use him in the second half. Tedford said Stevens is expected back on Saturday. ... Andrew Larson has punted 10 times this season and only three have been returned for a total of 22 yards. ... Cal had two 100-yard plus wide receivers against Minnesota, the first time the Bears have accomplished the feat since the 2003 season. ... Cal has now drawn more than 50,000 fans in 12 consecutive home games. ... Although the total hasn't been released, Cal confirmed that it has sold more than its 2005 record of 40,134 season tickets. Cal went past that mark on Friday.
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