RYAN DIVISH
3:30 p.m. Saturday at Martin Stadium, Pullman; FSN, 850-Am, 1090-AM
Coach: Jeff Tedford, 51-26, seventh season at California.
Last week: The Bears jumped all over Michigan State early thanks to tailbacks Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen and two touchdown passes from quarterback Kevin Riley. Though Cal had trouble holding down the Spartans passing attack late, the Bears held on for a 38-31 victory.
Against the Cougars: Cal leads the series, 39-25-5. Before being upset by the Cougs last season, 14-0, Cal had won the previous eight meetings.
Washington connections: Senior LB Anthony Felder (Seattle/O’Dea); freshman DT Trevor Guyton (Woodinville/Redmond); Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory, a native of Spokane, played defensive back and linebacker at WSU from 1984 to 1987. Offensive line coach Jim Michalczik of Port Angeles was a three-year letterman at WSU (1986-88) and earned all-conference and All-American honors as a senior.
Scouting report: The Bears come into this season with far lesser expectations than last season, which ended in disappointment. Gone are talented skill players such as running back Justin Forsett and wide receiver DeSean Jackson. However, the Bears seemed to have reloaded with the tailback duo of Best and Vereen, who combined to rush for 212 yards against Michigan State. Best carried a career-high 24 times in the game and scored a touchdown. Vereen set a school record for most yards rushing in a freshman debut. Most of it came on an 81-yard touchdown run that was also the longest in school history. Triggering the Cal offense is sophomore Riley, who beat out incumbent starter Nate Longshore this fall. Riley threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-24 passing in just his second career start. … Defensively, the Bears got a big game from O’Dea graduate Felder, who was credited with 12 tackles. … Special teams came up big for the Bears, blocking a punt and returning it for the first touchdown of the game.
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