Lonnie White, Times Staff Writer
UCLA's defense, which has given up almost 900 yards over the last two games, will not catch a break this week against California running back Marshawn Lynch, the Pacific 10 Conference's leading rusher. Lynch, who rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown last year in a 47-40 loss to the Bruins, took advantage of Cal's week off last Saturday and will be close to 100% after being hampered because of an ankle sprain most of the season. "Everything with them starts with their running game," UCLA senior defensive end Justin Hickman said of the Bears, who are ranked No. 10 with a 7-1 record. "In Marshawn Lynch, they have one of the best running backs in the country if not the best." Despite his injury, Lynch rushed for 302 yards in 46 carries in his last two games. In Cal's overtime victory over Washington on Oct. 21, Lynch ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns after halftime.
At 5 feet 11 and 217 pounds, Lynch combines speed and power similar to Oregon's Jonathan Stewart, who ripped UCLA for 121 yards in the Ducks' 30-20 victory over the Bruins on Oct. 14. "When you look at him, you just see another NFL back," UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said of Lynch, who averages 113.4 yards a game and 6.9 yards a carry. "You just look at this kid and you know one day that he'll be making money playing on Sundays."
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