Saturday, September 09, 2006

San Jose Mercury: Gophers share Bears' strategy

BOTH TEAMS ARE RELIANT ON RUNNING GAME

By Jay Heater

If Cal doesn't handle Minnesota's challenge today at Memorial Stadium, its ego won't be the only thing bruised. ``This will be smash-mouth football at its finest,'' Cal linebacker Desmond Bishop said. Today's game, which begins at 4 p.m., features two teams that have imposed their rushing will on opponents. The Gophers have averaged 239 yards rushing per game over the past seven seasons. They rushed for 322 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-0 season-opening win at Kent State last week. Cal has produced a 1,000-yard rusher in each of Coach Jeff Tedford's four seasons. The Bears averaged 235.2 yards rushing per game in 2005 but struggled last week in a 35-18 loss to Tennessee with 64 yards on the ground.

``Our problems had to do with technical mistakes,'' said Cal offensive tackle Scott Smith of the Tennessee game. ``It wasn't like we were man-handled.'' Tedford obviously didn't agree. Cal's opening-game starter at right guard, Bryan Deemer, has been replaced by sophomore Noris Malele. Tedford said junior college transfer Mike Gibson, a backup tackle, might also get a shot to play if things don't go well.

Read the entire article here.

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