The 6-foot-7 Bruce presents a major challenge to the Bears' potent offense
By Jay Heater
PULLMAN, Wash. - Wiping out the Curse of the Palouse will be a tall order for Cal today when it faces Washington State at Martin Stadium. About a 6-foot-7 order. Cougars senior defensive end Mkristo Bruce is a 6-7, 250-pounder who leads the nation in sacks with 10. Cal's entire team has only 16 sacks. "He is an all-around complete player," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said of the Cougars' sack master. "But the guy on the other side (defensive end Lance Broadus) is very fast, too. We are going to have our hands full." Bruce's ability to get to the quarterback might have the biggest impact on today's key Pac-10 encounter. The Cougars are 2-1 in conference play and they can't afford another loss if they expect a shot at the title. Cal, which hasn't won in Pullman since 1979, is 3-0 in Pac-10 action. Cal ranks 11th in the nation in passing offense (280.2 yards per game) and quarterback Nate Longshore ranks ninth in the nation in passing efficiency. If the Cougars, who lead the nation in sacks with 27, can't disrupt Longshore's timing, it could be a long day for WSU. "It's no fluke that they lead the nation in sacks," Tedford said. "It all starts with the passion that they play with ... the intensity that the play with."
Washington State coach Bill Doba said he stresses getting to the quarterback just about every day. "We've had good players to do that and we've had quickness," Doba said. "We work our pass rush drills every day we are in pads. We work on counter moves, how to pressure, how to spin out. Plus, we're in a conference where they throw the ball a lot." Stanford tried to throw the ball a lot against Washington State during a 36-10 loss on Sept. 23 and the result was pain. Bruce tied a Pac-10 record by recording five of his team's eight sacks. "Mkristo has worked hard on his skill," Doba said. "He was a quarterback and strong safety in high school. He can run a little and he enjoys practice. Around here, we always say that you've got to enjoy the process. He really works at his trade and he loves it." Cal senior Andrew Cameron and junior Mike Gibson will have the responsibility of handling Bruce. Senior Scott Smith has recovered from a sprained knee and he also will work into the lineup. "Cal does a real good job on the offensive line," Doba said. "They have a big, physical line and they do a good job of taking care of their gap. Of course, they have a good coach (Jim Michalczik, Washington State grad in 1988). He used to be a Coug." The Bears have allowed just seven sacks this season, so it should be an interesting battle. "Those defensive ends will be tough," Longshore said. "But I trust our protection and our line. It makes it easier for me.
In his last five games, Longshore has completed 91 of 137 passes (66.4 percent) for 1,325 yards and 17 touchdowns. "His decision making has been very good," Tedford said. "He has been very smart with the football. He is making good decisions when to throw it away. He has thrown the ball with a lot of authority. It's nice to see it." Although Longshore was rattled under pressure in the season-opening loss to Tennessee, he has been calm since and twice took huge shots against Arizona State just as he released the ball to complete a couple key passes. "Nate doesn't make the same mistake twice," Tedford said. "He is not just memorizing our offense. He understands why we are doing things. Then he is throwing as accurately as you can throw it." Longshore's distribution has made the Bears almost impossible to defend over the past five games. Cal has scored more than 40 points in five consecutive games for the first time in school history. Doba knows his team has a huge challenge. But he did say he has a plan.
"If I told you how I would defend them, I would be a fool," he said. One of his main goals is getting to intermission without being buried. Cal has outscored its opponents 171-74 in the first half. "You have to survive the first two quarters," Doba said.
• ESSENTIALS: Cal at Washington State, Martin Stadium, Pullman, Wash.
• KICKOFF: 2 p.m.
• TV/RADIO: None; 810-AM
• RECORDS: Cal 5-1 overall, 3-0 Pac-10 after a 45-24 win over Oregon on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley; Washington State 4-2, 2-1 after a 13-6 victory at Oregon State on Saturday
• INJURIES: Cal -- OT Scott Smith (knee) and FS Thomas DeCoud (knee) are questionable. Washington State -- WR Jason Hill (shoulder) and OT Charles Harris (ankle) are questionable; TE Cody Boyd (ankle) and DT A'i Ahmu (foot) are out
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