Jonathan Okanes
Jahvid Best made an early Heisman Trophy statement, and then Cal's turnover-inducing defense took over in a season-opening 52-13 rout of Maryland in front of 62,367 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. Best scored the Bears' first touchdown of the season with a 73-yard run early in the first quarter. He finished with 137 yards in 10 carries and two touchdowns while sitting out most of the second half.
"It's incredible what he can do," said Cal quarterback Kevin Riley, who was 17-for-26 for 298 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. "He gets a little hole, and he'll turn it into an 80-yard touchdown. If we can continue to keep giving him that little hole, it will just continue to happen.
On the ensuing kickoff following Best's first score, Cal's Chris Little forced Maryland kick returner Torrey Smith into a fumble and it was recovered by D.J. Campbell on the Terps' 22-yard line. After a 20-yard pass from Riley to wide receiver Marvin Jones on first down, Best jumped over the pile from the 2 to give the Bears a quick 14-0 advantage.
Maryland got on the scoreboard with a couple of field goals before Cal answered with a 31-yard field goal by freshman Vince D'Amato. On Maryland's next possession, Cal defensive end Tyson Alualu sacked quarterback Chris Turner, forcing a fumble that was recovered by fellow defensive end Cameron Jordan at the Maryland 49.
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