As Cal junior tailback Marshawn Lynch darted away from defenders at Sunday's practice, he appeared to be healthier than he has all season. The theory grew stronger a day later, when, on his way back to the huddle he performed two running cartwheels-into-back flips. The final confirmation came Thursday as backup running back Justin Forsett, whom Lynch calls his personal doctor, released Lynch's "official" status. "He is really healthy," Forsett said before assuming his role as Dr. Forsett. "We did a checkup earlier in the week, and the ankles are 100 percent. We should expect a big show Saturday." Despite two sprained ankles and a sore lower back, Lynch has rushed 188 times for 1,178 yards and nine touchdowns and has 30 catches for 286 yards and six touchdowns. He's tied with teammate DeSean Jackson for the conference lead in touchdowns (13). Preparing the young: Stanford coach Walt Harris said his young players have been properly prepped for their first Big Game experience. "It's been a big topic of conversation," he said. "The people that have been in it tell them what it's like, what it means." Harris said he's needed to impart on his inexperienced players the "seriousness and intensity" of the rivalry with the Bears. "We are going into enemy territory and they haven't seen anything like that," he said. "We need to prepare them for that, as well as the intensity of the opponent." Gerhart gears down: Freshman running back Toby Gerhart looked to be taking on a significant role in Stanford's offense early in the season.
In the first six games of the season, Gerhart carried the ball 52 times for 261 yards. In the past five games, those numbers have dropped significantly: He's had 31 carries for 70 yards. "We are trying to keep him healthy, and that's why he hasn't played as much," Harris said, declining to elaborate specifically on Gerhart's injury. "It's been more health than anything, than us thinking he's not ready to play or good enough to play." Big commitment for Cardinal: Stanford got good news while preparing for the Big Game this week when four-star quarterback Kellen Kiilsgaard of Auburn High in Washington gave a verbal commitment to attend the school. Kiilsgaard is the No. 22-rated quarterback in the nation by scout.com. Harris could not address Kiilsgaard's commitment specifically, but was clearly pleased by the news. "I think it's a great, great compliment to Stanford, a compliment to our kids, to our coaches," Harris said. "When these young men come to our campus and spend time around our players, they have told them about the atmosphere here, about how they feel about each other and that our players believe our future is bright." Several more recruits are expected to be on campus making their official visits in the next two weeks.
Briefly: Cal coach Jeff Tedford said right tackle Mike Gibson (toe) is OK and is expected to start. ... As expected, Lynch and cornerback Daymeion Hughes were named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America first team Thursday. Rivals.com puts Hughes and punt returner Jackson on its first team, Lynch on its second team and Cal linebacker Desmond Bishop and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane on its third team. ... Cal defensive line coach Ken Delgado was unaffected by the chill in Berkeley this week, wearing a T-shirt and shorts to practice each day. ... Hughes sported one white shoe and one black one to practice. ... The Big Game is expected to be a sellout, but even with a few tickets remaining, the Bears have already clinched the school's all-time record for average attendance. ... The Big Game Bonfire Rally is scheduled at 7 p.m. today at the Greek Theatre on the Cal campus.
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