By Jay Heater
PULLMAN, Wash. — As rain splattered the Palouse on Sunday morning, it seemed obvious the stars are aligning for Cal. To go along with a boatload of talent, the Golden Bears are sailing along with good fortune these days as they head toward a possible Pac-10 championship showdown with USC on Nov. 18. The storm, coming less than 24 hours after the Bears beat Washington State 21-3 under perfect conditions and sunny skies, was more evidence that fate might be in coach Jeff Tedford's back pocket. Don't believe in divine intervention? Then consider Cal's stream of good luck on Saturday. -On the opening kickoff, Cal return man Marcus O'Keith coughed up the football at his 14-yard line. A Washington State recovery would have energized the Cougars' faithful at Martin Stadium. Instead, the ball bounced forward 4 yards, right to Cal's David Gray.
-After WSU's first offensive series stalled, punter Darryl Blunt had to field a low snap, bobbled the ball and then took an eternity getting back into stride to punt it. Cal defensive end Nu'u Tafisi, who didn't even plan to attempt to block it, figured, "What the heck." Tafisi went through the undersized Cougar in the backfield and smothered Blunt's punt. He recovered at the 5-yard line, setting up the Bears' first touchdown.
-Twice during the game, Washington State quarterbacks threw the type of interceptions that leave the crowd searching for intended targets. Cal defensive backs Daymeion Hughes and Bernard Hicks could havecalled fair catches on both picks.
-Cal chased former California state track meet sprinter Derrell Hutsona down the sideline in a seemingly fruitless third-quarter effort to keep him out of the end zone. With a full head of steam and nobody between him the goal line, the Bears had no chance, right? Then came Cal cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson, faster than a speeding bullet, to save the day. He tackled Hutsona at the 5-yard line, leaving the fans to speculate whether Thompson could have won a state track title if the 100 meters were run in pads.
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