Cal has dominated Cats in the past two games
By JOHN MOREDICH
The University of Arizona football team might be catching No. 8 California at the right time, if there is such a thing. The Golden Bears, the trendy pick to win the Pac-10, are coming off a big win over UCLA and have a big showdown against No. 7 USC next week. Considering California has outscored the Wildcats a combined 66-0 over the past two years, the Bears would be justified to overlook Arizona a bit, but they say they will be focused for the 1:30 p.m. game Saturday, which will be televised regionally on ABC. "Tucson. Tucson. That's all we're thinking about," California quarterback Nate Longshore told The Associated Press. The Wildcats (4-5, 2-4) might have caught California's attention even more with a 27-17 victory over previously 25th-ranked Washington State last weekend. California (8-1, 6-0) can't afford a letdown game, and Arizona is still looking for wins to earn a remote chance at a bowl berth. The Golden Bears are the last team UA should want to see. They have had the Wildcats' numbers, and the figures aren't pretty. California beat UA 38-0 in 2004 and 28-0 in 2005 under coach Mike Stoops.
"We have not been very productive in the red zone and with our scoring opportunities when we have played them," Stoops said. "We need to turn that around in this game." That might be easier said than done with the Bears showing up with possibly their best team yet. California was ranked No. 7 when they faced the Wildcats at Arizona Stadium in 2004, and 12th last season in Berkeley. This year's version has possibly six of the top players in the Pac-10 at their respective positions. Longshore has the top passing efficiency rating, throwing for 20 touchdowns and 2,143 yards. Tailback Marshawn Lynch is leading the league in rushing with 110 yards per game. Receiver and punt returner DeSean Jackson is one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the nation, catching 39 passes for 680 yards and eight touchdowns and has scored three times on punt returns. Defensively, the Bears aren't bad either. Cornerback Daymeion Hughes has eight interceptions, middle linebacker Desmond Bishop with 11.5 tackles for losses and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane a monster in the middle of the line. "They have quality players across the board," Stoops said. "They are probably the most balanced team we have played - offensively, defensively and on special teams. They have so many weapons. They can strike at almost any position on the field. And defensively they have some big play guys." The players before them the past two years have been pretty good, too.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, now with the Green Bay Packers, led the Bears to a 38-0 victory at Arizona Stadium in 2004 when he completed 20 of 27 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Arizona had only 245 yards of total offense in that game. Cal finished with 459 total yards with J.J. Arrington, now with the Arizona Cardinals, rushing for 135 yards.
UA's defense fared better last season, limiting Cal to 331 total yards, but the rest of the team broke down. Richard Kovalcheck was intercepted three times, a 79-yard punt return by Syndric Steptoe was called back because of a penalty and a field goal was blocked. Lynch gained 107 yards on 20 carries, but the Bears had only 43 yards rushing in the second half.
Arizona's offense just has not figured out the Bears' scheme. "Offensively we have to come up with some wrinkles and get some plays just like we did the other night (against WSU)," Stoops said.
No comments:
Post a Comment