Jon Wilner
Excerpt:
Cal Report Card
Result: Beat Michigan State 38-31
Grade: B+
Comment: Yes, quarterback Kevin Riley played like a veteran (two touchdown passes, no turnovers) and tailback Jahvid Best handled a heavy workload (24 carries, 33 total touches). But equally significant was the play of Cal's new 3-4 defense, which more than held its own against Michigan State's physical running game.
The Pacific-10 Conference might be filled with spread offenses, but there is at least one team that, like Michigan State, will challenge the Bears with a power-football approach. "USC, even though they throw the ball, is a great running team,'' Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said. "They'll come at you. And UCLA will play that way. Stanford, too ..."You come out of (Saturday's win) thinking, 'OK, we have a chance to stop the run in the 3-4 scheme.' "
Next up for Cal: at Washington State, Saturday,
3:30 p.m. (CSN)
The matchup: How will Riley handle the first road start of his career? Even if he makes a mistake or two, the Bears should have the game in hand in the fourth quarter. WSU is the worst team in the Pac-10.
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