SF Chronicle: Cal needs more from offensive line

Rusty Simmons

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Cal was looking for a miracle, down by six points with less than a minute to drive from the shadow of its own goal line.  Instead, it got more of the same, allowing Oregon State's defensive line to rush quarterback Kevin Riley, who threw an interception. The Bears allowed the Beavers on Saturday to get consistent pressure on Riley, and they know it can't happen again in this weekend's Big Game. Stanford is tied with Oregon for the conference lead with 33 sacks for losses totaling 237 yards. "We know our offense starts with the guys up front, and we've got to get better," senior right guard Noris Malele said. "You're either getting better or you're getting worse. We take pride in pass blocking and opening holes for our running backs, and we're going to work our tails off to get back to that." Cal has allowed nine sacks in the last two games after allowing 13 in the first eight. Last year's offensive line yielded only 11 sacks, and the 2006 unit allowed 13. Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti did everything he could to stop Oregon State's exploitation of the Cal offensive line. He designed plays that included a moving pocket, called for draws and screens in hopes of beating the over-pursuit and even used tight ends as extra blockers at times.

Still, Oregon State's front was dominant. On the 34 pass plays called, Riley was pressured 21 times. He was forced to scramble once, was sacked five times, hit seven other times and hurried eight times.  In fairness, the Bears aren't exactly lining up the players they thought they would be for the stretch run of the season. They lost tackle Mike Tepper to a torn pectoral muscle before training camp, lost guard Chris Guarnero to season-ending toe surgery in Week 3 and lost tackle Chet Teofilo to season-ending ankle surgery four weeks later. With Malele sidelined by an ankle injury for the majority of the last four weeks, Cal has been forced to start two redshirt freshmen, a walk-on sophomore and a junior-college transfer. "You've got to play the cards that you're dealt," Malele said. "It's been tough, but you can't take anything away from the guys who are filling in. They've stepped up and they're competing." Redshirt freshmen Mitchell Schwartz, a tackle, and Justin Cheadle, a guard, were part of a highly decorated recruiting class that is paying off earlier than expected. Schwartz was so good early in the season that the coaches moved him to the left side to protect the quarterbacks' blind sides. Coaches say Cheadle has been steady in his efforts.

Mark Boskovich, a walk-on guard from St. Francis High-Mountain View, has had his struggles. He was passed on the depth chart by Guarnero and walk-on Richard Fisher during the offseason, only to find himself back in the rotation. After a good game against UCLA in his first extended playing time, sophomore right tackle Donovan Edwards was abused by Oregon State's Victor Butler. Cal actually wanted Edwards to stay at Diablo Valley College to gain another year of experience, but they offered him a scholarship when one opened right before camp. Butler bulled and motored past Edwards time and again, and Edwards also got beat by backup Ben Terry on the game-clinching interception. "Those guys are getting in there and battling, and their growth and development will continue," coach Jeff Tedford said. "They all work hard, and they all care. Each week, they'll continue to improve."