BERKELEY -- With the 109th Big Game looming Saturday, most of Cal's football players ran through Sunday's practice at Memorial Stadium with the devastating loss to USC in the rear-view mirror. "This is a different kind of game," said Bears tailback Marshawn Lynch. "We've put the loss to USC behind us and we are ready to move forward. Stanford is going to come to play. We aren't sleeping." However, not all the Bears are over the USC hangover. Cal senior linebacker Mickey Pimentel was asked if it's tough to reach the same emotional level that the players had facing the Trojans. "I'm not going to lie," he said. "It is. Stanford hasn't won that many games. "At the same time, they did beat Washington. They are playing better and better." Cal coach Jeff Tedford said his players should take the Cardinal seriously despite its 1-10 record. "They've been playing very good on defense," Tedford said. "Through the first six games, they were giving up 455 yards a game. The last five, they have given up an average of 315 yards. They are a dangerous team." Bears quarterback Nate Longshore said he understands Stanford will put out everything it has to win the Big Game and turn around an awful season. "Nothing matters at this point, rankings or records," Longshore said. "This is not a regular game. It doesn't matter where or when. They are dangerous. They are doing some things very well." Cal, ranked No. 18 in the BCS ratings released on Sunday, is virtually locked out of a No. 14 spot or higher that is needed to qualify for a BCS berth. The Holiday Bowl is waiting for the BCS to release Cal so it can publicly announce its invitation. That announcement could come as early as today.
However, Longshore noted that it's not just Stanford that has something at stake. "For us, it's our last home game," Longshore said. "For our seniors, it's their last game here."
There is also a lot at stake for the alumni of each university who put so much importance on the outcome. Senior cornerback Daymeion Hughes said Tedford makes sure his players understand that importance. "He always lines up somebody to come to speak to us about the history of the game," Hughes said. "Right around this time, he starts giving us reminders."
Travel woes
Sophomore wide receiver DeSean Jackson and freshman defensive back Gary Doxy both missed Sunday's practice. Tedford said they ran into travel problems. Both players, out of Long Beach Poly High School, went home for Thanksgiving. "They are together," Tedford said. Asked if there would be any disciplinary action, Tedford said he wanted to talk with both of them to find out the reason for their delay.
Extra points
Marcus O'Keith, who has turf toe, didn't practice on Sunday and his status is doubtful for the Big Game. ... This will be the first time that Cal will have played in four bowls in a row. ... Lynch and Jackson are tied for the conference lead in touchdowns with 12. ... Cal leads the conference in sacks allowed with 11. ... The Big Game, which dates back to 1892, is the ninth oldest rivalry in college football. ... Stanford leads the series 54-43-11, but Cal has won the past four games by a combined score of 126-32. ... Cal has not won five consecutive games against Stanford since 1919-23. ... Jackson has scored on five punt returns in only 25 career attempts. ... Stanford is last in the conference in scoring offense (10 points per game) and scoring defense (31.9 points allowed per game). ... Place-kicker Tom Schneider has made all nine of his field goal attempts inside 50 yards this season.
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