Jonathan Okanes
If discovering a productive passing game is the final piece to the Cal's Rose Bowl puzzle, the Bears took a substantial step forward Saturday night. Quarterback Kevin Riley was an efficient 17-for-26 for 298 yards with a career-high four touchdowns, and Cal's wide receivers demonstrated an improved ability to get open during a 52-13 rout of Maryland in front of 62,367 at Memorial Stadium. The hypothesis is that the Bears have a championship-caliber running game and defense and just need their passing game to match that level.
"We took a great step forward," said sophomore wide receiver Marvin Jones, who had three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in his first career start. "We always want to show that we're dynamic. Obviously, we have the most explosive player in the nation right now. We want to show that we can also pass." The Bears showed it against Maryland, complementing Heisman Trophy candidate Jahvid Best's 137-yard, two-touchdown performance on the ground. Riley, now Cal's undisputed leader after sharing time with the departed Nate Longshore last season, overcame a 1-for-5 start and had the game in his hands by halftime.
"That's the kind of production we need from him," Best said. "If he keeps having production like that, we're going to be unstoppable." Riley made a perfect pass to Jones for a 42-yard touchdown in the third quarter and demonstrated escapability and command of the offense on a 3-yard touchdown throw
to tight end Skylar Curran in the second quarter. On the play, Riley avoided a sack by ducking under Maryland defensive end Jared Harrell, then made a quick read to find Curran in the end zone.
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