Tucson Citizen: Cats concerned with Cal's 'dynamic' DeSean

MATT MESSINA
A punt returner usually has less than 4 1/2 seconds to analyze the kick's direction, where his blockers and the defenders are and whether to call a fair catch.
California punt returner/wide receiver DeSean Jackson makes every tick count. But it's what he does after fielding the ball that worries Arizona coaches heading into Saturday's 1:30 p.m. game at Arizona Stadium. The 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore is averaging 17.5 yards per return - including three touchdowns. "(Jackson) is very dynamic," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "He's probably the fastest and most explosive player in the (Pac-10) Conference. I don't think there are too many guys who are going to beat him in the 100 meters, maybe (Washington quarterback) Isaiah Stanback.
"He hits the hole as quick as Reggie (Bush)." UA had success in stopping USC's Bush, using hang time and location to hold the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner to only one return in two games.
Whether that works against Cal remains to be seen. Jackson's three returns for scores have come from 72, 65 and 80 yards. He had a 49-yarder a year ago. That's four TD returns in only 21 career returns. Don't expect the Long Beach, Calif., native to take too much of the credit. "It's a great effort by our line on the punt returns," Jackson said. "Everybody is getting out there and blocking well."
Added Cal coach Jeff Tedford: "Anytime you have DeSean, who can do the things he can, making people miss and hit things as fast as he does, it creates a huge advantage for you." The Wildcats are hoping to neutralize the number of times they have to punt to Jackson. Arizona fared well against Bush the last couple of years.
That still leaves Jackson catching passes from Nate Longshore. Jackson leads Cal with 39 receptions for 680 yards and eight more scores. Wildcat cornerback Antoine Cason is likely to get matched up with him quite a bit. "Honestly, I'm not even focused on (Cason) right now," Jackson said. "I'm more focused on the defense as a whole. I'm not keying in on one player. He's pretty good, but I'm not worried about him."