Rusty Simmons
Jeff Tedford delivered something of a rarity at this week's news conference. The Cal coach, who seldom allows outsiders to know he's focusing on the past or an upcoming opponent, needed just one statement to unveil that he is doing both this week. "(Oregon State) came into our house last year, and not only did they beat us, but they were more physical than us," he said. "It's something that doesn't happen to us very often, and they kicked our butts last year. This year, our guys are looking forward to having another chance to play them." The common themes coming from the Bears' camp this season have been to worry only about their team and to focus on "one play, one day and one game" at a time. Today's game against Oregon State (0-0 Pac-10, 2-1) has made Cal (1-0, 3-1) stray from each theme.
"You always remember things that happen before, but you never want to play for revenge," Cal sophomore quarterback Nate Longshore said. "That really gets your mind in a wrong place." The Bears' minds were in the wrong place last season. Coming off a disheartening loss to UCLA in a game in which Cal gave up 19 points in the final 7:30, the then-16th-ranked Bears laid an egg at home to Oregon State, losing 23-20. "They're a big, physical team that will try to come out and beat us up," Cal sophomore center Alex Mack said. "We were supposed to win last year, but they came in and beat us up, and it definitely gives us motivation."
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