San Diego Union Tribune: Jackson's prediction: Bears will play for national title in '07

By Bill Center

DeSean Jackson wasn't trying to steal the spotlight, he was just trying to make a point.  As California's 1-2 punch of quarterback Nate Longshore and tailback Marshawn Lynch prepared to make their acceptance speeches as co-Most Valuable Players of the Holiday Bowl, Jackson grabbed the microphone on the field at Qualcomm Stadium.  “We're going to the national championship game next year,” proclaimed the sophomore wide receiver.  “And we're going to win.”  For a moment, Lynch and Longshore appeared stunned. But the California partisans weren't. They cheered Jackson's words almost as loudly as they had Longshore and Lynch's performances.  “I think tonight showed what we're capable of doing,” Longshore said moments later. “It was disappointing how we played late in the season (in back-to-back losses to Arizona and USC).  “Tonight, we got everything working again. We took our time, executed our game plan and put together a complete game.”

Certainly, a game like last night's will provide the Golden Bears with a lot of momentum going into next year – provided Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year Lynch decides to return for his senior season.

When asked the obligatory question about the NFL and his future, Lynch fired off a very loud, “Ha, ha,” and darted to a corner of the field where the Golden Bear fans had assembled.  As he approached, the chant of “One more year, one more year” drowned out a much smaller group saying “NFL, NFL.”  Lynch did make it a point to mention that his understudy and fellow junior Justin Forsett actually led Cal with 124 yards rushing last night. Lynch finished with 111 yards, although he scored two touchdowns.  Lynch wanted to make one other point in his post-game remarks.  All week long, the Bears had heard about how physical Texas A&M was and how that would swing the outcome in the Aggies favor.  “We play physical football on the West Coast, too,” said Lynch. “I thought we were getting in some great hits. I think we might have surprised them a little bit”  Longshore agreed.  “We knew they were physical, and they were,” said the quarterback. “But we were every bit as physical. Our defense was flying. Our defense played a great game. We all did what we had to do.”  For Longshore, that meant completing 19-of-24 passes for 235 yards – including five to Jackson for 81 yards – and a touchdown.

After throwing an incompletion on Cal's first three-and-out possession, Longshore completed seven straight as the Golden Bears took a 14-7 lead.  As Cal's lead grew, Longshore threw less until he was out of the game completely midway through the fourth quarter.  “I hate it when we get up like that because we get conservative,” said Longshore, half jokingly. “But it's been awhile since we've been this successful. And I guess if I was coaching with Marshawn running the ball, I'd be conservative, too.”  Longshore can only hope that will be the case gain next season.