UNFINISHED BUSINESS' FROM 2004 BOWL LOSS
By Jay Heater
Moments after Cal finished practicing Tuesday at Memorial Stadium, Brandon Mebane talked about his team's invitation to the Holiday Bowl. ``We've got some unfinished business there,'' the senior defensive tackle said. ``The last time, we lost. This time, I want to go out with a bang.'' Cal's official invitation Tuesday was expected, and it came soon after the Bowl Championship Series committee released Cal (8-3, 6-2 Pacific-10 Conference) from consideration. Sixteen teams were put on hold for the 10 BCS slots. Cal, ranked No. 18 by the BCS, was deemed to stand no chance of moving up to No. 14, which is the final qualifying spot. Unlike 2004, when Cal's players felt they were robbed of a Rose Bowl berth after going 10-1, this year's Bears seem excited about the opportunity to play in the Pac-10's No. 2 bowl game. ``We're fortunate to be in the Holiday Bowl for the second time,'' Coach Jeff Tedford said. ``It is a quality opportunity for us. They have a rich tradition and they do a first-class job of putting on the game.'' The Holiday Bowl will be played Dec. 28 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Tedford didn't want to field questions about a possible opponent, which appears to be Texas A&M or Nebraska. ``First things first,'' Tedford said. ``Stanford is the only thing on my mind.''
Cal faces Stanford (1-10, 1-7) in the 109th Big Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. A Cardinal upset would land the Bears in a second-place tie with Oregon State. The Holiday Bowl, however, didn't want to wait, and made the announcement Tuesday. The Beavers accepted a Sun Bowl invitation Tuesday. Tedford informed his team after practice that it would get a second shot at the Holiday Bowl. In 2004, Cal lost 45-31 to a Texas Tech squad that ran up 520 passing yards. Cal senior cornerback Daymeion Hughes said it should be a different experience this time around. ``This is a different team,'' Hughes said. ``We felt we were cheated (out of the Rose Bowl) last time. This time, we put ourselves in this position.'' Saturday, the Bears will try to snap a two-game losing streak after dropping contests at Arizona and at USC. ``Man, this will be great,'' Hughes said. ``I know it will be a rocking house.'' A matchup against Texas A&M (9-3), coming off an upset of Texas, would stir some interest. ``A&M is a big, physical team that loves to run,'' Mebane said. ``They will be wanting to show that the Big 12 is better than the Pac-10, and we will be trying to show the Pac-10 is better.''
• Receiver DeSean Jackson did extra disciplinary drills Tuesday for missing Sunday's practice. Jackson and defensive back Gary Doxy didn't arrive back in time after their flight from Los Angeles was canceled. Tedford said Jackson would start Saturday.
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