Tedford's first class looks to cap an impressive run; Cardinal seniors want to get their first win vs. rival Bears
By Jay Heater
SAN FRANCISCO - Don't try to tell Cal fullback Byron Storer that Saturday's 109th Big Game isn't special because it is perceived to be a mismatch. Storer, who will be playing his final game at Memorial Stadium, said it is a chance for him to put an exclamation point on one of the most successful team runs seen in Berkeley. Although Cal (8-3 overall, 6-2 Pac-10) failed to win a conference title in his four seasons, Storer and a few of his senior teammates will become the first Bears to play in four bowl games. Cal also can register its fifth consecutive win over Stanford. "If that's my legacy ... if that's the legacy of my class ... then I am happy," he said. "I'm glad I was part of it." Storer and offensive guard Erik Robertson, both fifth-year seniors, were on hand during Monday's Big Game media luncheon at Perry's restaurant in San Francisco. Both were part of coach Jeff Tedford's first recruiting class. "Byron and I were talking about it on the way here today," Robertson said. "Has it hit you yet?' It's starting to hit me." Robertson agreed with Storer that he would like to go out in style against Stanford, putting a fitting end to an impressive run. "My junior year at Apple Valley High School, we were 0-10," Robertson said. "The next season, we made the playoffs. At that time, people were saying to me, 'Oh, you are going to Cal? Why?' I told them that the same thing was going to happen at Cal. It did. "This is my last season here and some people are disappointed even though we had a great season." That's a change from his first season at Cal, when the Bears capped a 7-5 season with a win over Stanford. The fans went bonkers.
"It was the first time I saw the field rushed by the fans," Robertson said. "It was great." Storer said he doesn't mind that expectations are higher now. "We made it happen," he said. "This is what we wanted. Coach Tedford has set the standard."
Besides Storer and Robertson, the other fifth-year Cal seniors are cornerback Randy Bundy, offensive tackle Andrew Cameron, wide receiver David Gray, defensive end Steve Kelly, quarterback Steve Levy, tailback Marcus O'Keith and offensive tackle Scott Smith. Storer, Gray and fourth-year seniors Daymeion Hughes and Brandon Mebane will become the first Bears to see action in four bowl games. None of those players has experienced a Big Game loss, like the three that Stanford senior Michael Okwo has had to endure. Okwo, who also attended Monday's luncheon, said his three Big Game experiences were memorable despite the losses. "The Big Game isn't any regular Pac-10 game," Owko said. "I still remember my first one (Cal's 28-16 win at Stanford in 2003). I remember my walk to the stadium and how there was a different air. You could feel the rivalry. "We haven't won one and they've gotten the best of us. This is the last chance for me." Tedford's theme during Monday's luncheon was that Stanford is a vastly improved team despite its 1-10 record (1-7 Pac-10). Stanford coach Walt Harris thanked his players for their dedication during difficult times. He said the past week's practices have been the team's best this season. "Obviously, it has been tough," Harris said. "But they made it a great experience even though it was a difficult experience." Stanford sophomore cornerback Wopamo Osaisai was asked if a victory in the Big Game would make up for a dismal season. "It would mean we would go from 1-10 to 2-10," he said. Fox Sports Net Bay Area will televise Saturday's game, which begins at noon.
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